William Wright (New Jersey politician)

William Wright (November 13, 1794 – November 1, 1866) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, represented New Jersey's 5th congressional district as a Whig in the United States House of Representatives from 1843 to 1847, and represented New Jersey in the United States Senate as a Democrat from 1853 to 1859, and again from 1863 until his death.

William Wright
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 5th district
In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847
Preceded by	John Bancker Aycrigg William Halstead John Patterson Bryan Maxwell Joseph Fitz Randolph Charles C. Stratton Thomas J. Yorke (Elected statewide on a Whig Party general ticket)
Succeeded by	Dudley S. Gregory
United States Senator from New Jersey
In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1859
Preceded by	Jacob W. Miller
Succeeded by	John C. Ten Eyck
United States Senator from New Jersey
In office March 4, 1863 – November 1, 1866
Preceded by	James Walter Wall
Succeeded by	Frederick T. Frelinghuysen
Personal details
Born	November 13, 1794 Clarksville, New York
Died	November 1, 1866 (aged 71) Flemington, New Jersey
Political party	Whig (House) Democratic (Senate)
Profession	Politician

Biography

He was born in Clarkstown, Rockland County, New York; attended the public schools and Poughkeepsie Academy; was a volunteer for the defense of Stonington, Connecticut, in the War of 1812; learned the saddler's trade and engaged in business in Bridgeport, Connecticut; moved to Newark, New Jersey in 1821 and ran a saddlery and leather business there. He served as mayor of Newark from 1840 to 1843.

On May 25, 1843, Wright was chosen as the second president of the Morris and Essex Railroad to succeed Lewis Condict, a post he held until his death more than twenty years later.

In October 1843, Wright was elected as an Independent Whig[1][2] to the 28th United States Congress in the new 5th Congressional District (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic Counties), and was reelected as a Whig without opposition in 1844 to the 29th United States Congress (March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1847).

He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of New Jersey in 1847, and affiliated with the Democratic Party in 1850. Wright was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1853 to March 3, 1859, but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1858. He was the chairman, Committee on Manufactures (33rd United States Congress and 34th United States Congress), Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses (35th United States Congress), Committee on Engrossed Bills (35th Congress); again elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1863 until his death in Newark. He was interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Newark.

Family

In 1819, Wright married Minerva Darrow.[3] They were the parents of three children, Frederick, Catherine, and Edward..[3]

Their son Colonel Edward H. Wright (1824–1913) was a career officer in the United States Army.[4] Edward Wright was the husband of Dorothea "Dora" Eliza Mason (October 29, 1840 – October 4, 1916).[4] Known as Dora, she was the daughter of Governor Stevens T. Mason.[4] Edward and Dora Wright were the parents of William M. Wright, a U.S. Army officer who attained the rank of lieutenant general.[4]

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)

References

1. Martis, Kenneth C. (January 1, 1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress, 1789-1989. Macmillan Publishing Company. p. 97. ISBN 978-0029201701.
2. Dubin, Michael J. (March 1, 1998). United States Congressional Elections, 1788-1997: The Official Results of the Elections of the 1st Through 105th Congresses. McFarland and Company. p. 134. ISBN 978-0786402830.
3. Lee, Francis Bazley (1910). Genealogical and Memorial History of the State of New Jersey. I. New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 103 – via Google Books.
4. Committee on Printing (1908). Third Record Book of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of Rhode Island. Providence, RI: Snow & Farnham Co. p. 385 – via Google Books.

External links

• United States Congress. "William Wright (id: W000772)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• William Wright at The Political Graveyard
• William Wright at Find a Grave

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.