J.W. WRIGHT, merchant, Belle Rive, born September 20, 1849, in Hamilton County, ILL., son of James H. Wright, a native of Tennessee, an active, energetic man. He came to Hamilton County in an early day, and there was engaged in the mercantile and milling business. He is yet living, in the Black Hills, where he is now mining.

The mother of our subject was Elizabeth Webb, a native of Kentucky. She died in April 1882, near McLeansboro, Hamilton Co., ILL. She was the mother of nine children, of whom six are now living, viz., Thomas B., a large and wealthy business man in McLeansboro, ILL; James H., of Chicago; Andrew J., a farmer in Hamilton County; Mary E., Arminta Smith, and Joseph W., our subject. Sallie C., Henrietta and Eliza J. are deceased.

Our subject was principally educated in McLeansboro, ILL. In early life he clerked for his father in the mill and store. At the age of twenty-two, he embarked in the mercantile business on his own account, keeping a grocery and dry goods store in Belle Rive, to which place he had come in 1873. He is yet engaged in the same business, and is also the principal grain dealer of Jefferson County. He is now Superintendent of Construction of the T.T. & R.G. Railroad, and also General Contractor of timbers on this division. He is identified with the Republican part. He is no office seeker nor politician.

He was married, October 6, 1871, in Hamilton County, ILL., to Miss Artemesia Maulding, born September 7, 1852 in Hamilton County, ILL., daughter of Jarrett and Julia (Hall) Maulding; they were very old settlers. Mrs. Wright is the mother of two children now living, viz., Commodore, born January 1, 1874; Edward, born March 6, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are both religiously connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: History of Jefferson County, Illinois
by William Henry Perrin
Published by Globe Publishing, Chicago - 1883
Page 61 & 62

Submitted By: Sandy (Whalen) Bauer