Samuel J. Wright

            SAMUEL J. WRIGHT (deceased) was a native of this county, and was born July 8, 1824, within three miles of Corydon. He was brought up on the farm until he was thirteen years of age, when he entered the Clerk’s office under Capt. Heth, remaining in that position until he was twenty-one years of age. He was then elected Auditor of Harrison county for four years. Serving out his term, he, in 1850, engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued until 1866, when he sold out. While merchandising, he also ran the Eclipse Mills, owning an interest in them until 1873. He was a large owner and treasurer in the New Albany, Louisville and Corydon Turnpike Road. In 1867 he was re-elected Auditor of the county on the Republican ticket. He then engaged in the law, which he continued to the time of his death, which occurred in 1884. He owned a farm a mile north of Corydon. His heirs still own it and his interest in the Pike Road.

Mr. Wright was married in 1846, to Miss Sarah Ann Slaughter, of Corydon, daughter of Dr. James B. Slaughter. She died in 1857, leaving four children, two of whom are living –James E. and Sarah D. –both of whom are married and living in Corydon. Mr. Wright married a second time in 1858, Miss E. Wilson, a daughter of Hon. Geo. P.R. Wilson, a prominent man, who served terms in the Legislature, and was a native of Kentucky. He lived on a farm, in this county, once owned by Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison.

This second marriage of Mr. Wright resulted in seven children, as follows: Charles W., Edgar G., Oscar S., Rosa, Frank R., Fanny G. and Mary. Mrs. Wright’s mother was a daughter of Capt. Spier Spencer, who was with Gen. Harrison at Tippecanoe, and was killed in that battle. Capt. Spencer’s wife, Elizabeth Polk, was captured by the Indians when only six years old, and kept with them until she nearly forgot her own language.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana by John M. Gresham & Company, 1889. Part 2, page 196.