Representative Edward Wright View All Years

GENERAL ED WRIGHT died in Des Moines, Dec. 6th. He was born near Salem, Ohio, June 27, 1827. He received a common school education, and in 1848 married Miss Martha Thompson. The young couple moved to Cedar County, Iowa, in 1852, making their home in a Quaker settlement of John Brown fame, not far from Springdale. When a convention was called by the anti-slavery people of the State to organize a new party in 1856, Ed Wright was one of the delegates from Cedar county. That convention put the first Republican ticket in the field, and chose delegates to the first National Republican Convention, which nominated Fremont for President. The next fall he was elected representative from Cedar County in the last Legislature which met in Iowa City. He was re-elected in 1857, and served in the first Legislature which convened in Des Moines. When the war of the rebellion broke out, he assisted in organizing the 24th regiment, of which he was commissioned Major. He made an excellent officer, taking part in some of the bloodiest battles around Vicksburg. He was also in General Banks’ disastrous Red River Expedition, and with Sheridan in his brilliant campaign through the Shenandoah Valley. He was several times wounded in battle, and was promoted successively to Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, and brevet Brigadier General. At the close of the war he returned to his Cedar county farm, and at the next election was again sent to the Legislature, and chosen speaker of the House. In 1866 he was elected Secretary of State, twice re-elected, serving six years with great efficiency. In 1873, when work was begun on the new State House, he was chosen secretary of the commissioners charged with its construction, and soon after became assistant superintendent of the work. He proved to be the right man for the place, carefully guarding the interests of the State in all the details for the erection of the new capitol. After its completion he was made custodian of the building, holding that position until 1890. No public official served the State with more fidelity than General Wright. His work was done intelligently and with a scrupulous care for the public interest. He won the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. Few men in public life have made so many friends, or so few enemies.