Alfred Wright
Alfred Wright, the manager of the Green Bay Lumber Company at Denison, has acted in that capacity since 1899. His birth occurred in Waverly, Iowa, on the 8th of October, 1868, his parents being William and Rachel (Smith) Wright, both of whom were natives of England. His paternal grandfather was likewise born in that country and became identified with mercantile interests.
Unto him and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Eldershore, were born five children, namely: John, Richard, William, George and Thomas. James Junea Smith, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a manufacturer of sauces and pickles in England. He wedded Miss Rachel Eldershore and their children were James, Zealing and Rachel. Following his demise Mrs, Smith married a Mr. Reynolds of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by whom she had one daughter, Margaret.
William Wright, the father of Alfred Wright, emigrated to America in 1848 and for a short time worked as an architect in Baltimore, Maryland. He entered the Episcopal ministry and in 1866 journeyed westward to Waverly, Iowa, where he preached the gospel, later officiating at Nashua, Denison, Des Moines, Marengo, Grinnell, Carroll and Vail. He likewise served in the Christian commission during the Civil war. In 1852 he was a missionary with his wife in Africa where they encountered many hardships and dangers. He was a man of energy, ability and high character and a devout follower in the footsteps of the Master.
His demise occurred in Denison in 1900, when he had attained the age of seventy-six years, while his wife was called to her final rest in the spring of 1910, being at that time eighty-one years old. They were the parents of six children, three of whom reached maturity, namely: William T., a practicing physician of Denison; Leighton, who is likewise a resident of Denison; and Alfred, of this review.
The last named accompanied his parents on their various removals and first came to Denison in 1876, remaining here during the following five years. In 1899 he returned to this city and has resided here continuously since. He completed the prescribed course of study in the high school at Marengo, Iowa, in 1886 and in 1890 was graduated from Grinnell College. Subsequently he followed the profession of teaching for two years and then entered the service of the Green Bay Lumber Company, working for them at Carroll and various other places. From 1893 until 1899 he had charge of the yard at Vail and for the past twelve years has managed the company's yard at Denison. In this capacity he has contributed nat a little to the success of the concern, being a man of excellent executive ability and sound judgment.
On the 12th of June, 1909, Mr. Wright was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret Kelly, a native of Crawford county and a daughter of John and Bridget (Rasp) Kelly.
Mr. Wright gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as chairman of the county central committee. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian, while his wife is a devoted communicant of the Roman Catholic church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Sylvan Lodge, No. 507, A. F. & A. M.; Ark Chapter, No. 89, R. A. M.; and also of the council, R. & S. M. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, belonging to Dowdall Lodge, No. go. He enjoys the full respect and confidence of all who know him and has many warm friends in his locality.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.