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