Person:Eugene Wright (3)

Eugene Wright 1825-1875 (suicide age 50)

Biographical/Historical summary:

Eugene Wright led a full and very eventful life in his short 50 years before committing suicide. After being raised as a farmer, serving in the Navy, and learning to act among odd jobs, he went to California in 1849 (age 24) for the gold rush, returning home to Corry in 1860 (age 35) in time to enlist in the Union Army when the "rebellion" started in 1861, fighting in the first battle of the war, the Battle of Bull Run (7/21/1861). Upon his return to Corry late-1861, he was hired by his cousin, William H. L. Smith (1824-1889 age 65), and his Boston partner, Samuel Downer, and took charge of the construction of the Downer Oil Works in Corry, a mere two years after Edwin L. Drake struck oil near Titusville on August 27, 1859 just 25 miles south of Corry. He partnered in other enterprises with Messrs Samuel Downer and W H L Smith and was always closely identified with the business and municipal interests of Corry, and was connected with a large number of commercial enterprises.

This period in Corry paralleled the growth of the oil industry as well as the career of John D. Rockefeller (Wikipedia Page) as he built his first refinery in 1863 and by 1873 owned 26% of the oil refining market, often using such now-infamous techniques as underselling and secret transportation agreements. It is with this backdrop that the suicide of Eugene takes place in 1875 at age 50, with a young wife and three young children from two marriages. According to family legend per his grandson, Joseph Kepler Murdock (1898-1985) and Joe's mother/Eugene's daughter, Helen Janette (Mocco) Wright (1864-1951), Eugene received a low ball "offer" for the Downer Oil Works refinery from J. D. Rockefeller (Standard Oil of Ohio) apparently to reduce competition in the oil refining market. However, the business partners WHL Smith and Samuel Downer decided not to sell. As a result, the company was forced out of business leading to financial ruin for many. In 1875 Eugene Wright wrote a suicide note, that was not publicly disclosed by the time of his burial, and he "blew his brains out" ... "using a new model Colt revolver with a metallic cartridge of 36 caliber, one chamber of which was empty" after drinking a full pint of whiskey. He was found "sitting upright, with his feet crossed, his coat and vest off, and his head leaning over the back of the chair."

The family legend presumes the J.D. Rockefeller low ball "offer" led to financial hardship which resulted in his decision to commit suicide as a direct consequence of the now-illegal anticompetitive practices of Standard Oil of Ohio. Research by Lucius Donkle III was not able to find direct proof of the connection, but a remarkable alignment of the Rockefeller rise with the downfall of the Downer Oil Works in Corry was found as is documented below this summary article.

The mystery may be solvable with more research if the suicide note left by Eugene could be found in the historical archives of Corry, which seems quite likely given the abundance of documentation already found with minimal effort. Future genealogists are encouraged to find the suicide note and try to close this mystery.

Of further intrigue, Eugene's life was insured for $15,000 ($350,000 in 2020), which was assigned to his cousin, Mr W H L Smith, of Boston. This transference left even less for his young widow and their three young children. His first child, Helen Janette (Mocco) Wright was mostly raised by her aunt since his second wife was recalled to not be kind to her, and she was raised of modest means. However, it is known she had a Boston benefactor or guardian, who paid for her two years of college at the Fredonia, NY normal school. That benefactor or guardian was obviously Eugene's cousin, WHL Smith, and man of significant means in Boston and the assignee of Eugene's life-insurance policy. The intrigue rests in the fact that WHL Smith received Eugene's life insurance proceeds leaving, at least, his first child, Mocco, with insufficient funds for college although there is most-likely a "business reason" that would explain the arrangement. Again, the family legend has even more mystery.

To complete the story of his family life, Eugene's first wife, Janette (Williams) Wright (1837 - 2/22/1864), died during childbirth to their daughter, Helen Janette (Mocco) Wright (1864-1951). Seven months later, he married Alice O. (Seek) Wright (1843-1914) on 9/24/1864. They had two sons, John Eugene and Frank Palmer Wright. Helen Janette (Mocco) was initially raised by her mother's mother, Sally (Coy) Williams, and later by her mother's sister, aunt Melissa (Williams) Simmons.

Eugene Wright and WHL Smith are cousins through their mutual grandparents Hezekiah Smith and Mary "Polly" (Rice) Smith (married 17 Aug 1794)

• Henry Smith (b. abt. 1793) and Maria Leland had William HL Smith (b. 1824).
• Mary E. Smith (b. 1795) and Anthony Wright had Eugene Wright (b. 1825).

The passages below are the key texts from the research done by Lucius B. Donkle III, Eugene's great-great grandson.

Per "The Descendants of Elder John Strong of Northampton Mass," by Benjamin Woodbridge Dwight, Albany NY, J. Munsell, 1871. Page 138(extra facts and dates added from Wiki)

Eugene Wright was a dealer in real estate in Corry, PA, and coal merchant there, where he has resided since 1861. He enlisted in 5th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia (active 4/21/1861 - 7/29/1861), and was in the first battle of Bull Run 7/21/1861, (the first battle of the Civil War and won by the Confederates), and was mustered out of service. His description of his previous life is as follows: "I was raised a farmer until 13 years of age, then followed the sea for about 2-5 years (joined the navy ~age 14-18); afterwords was a peddler of tin-ware and cutlery, a book-agent, a bricklayer, and a salesman in a meat market (~age 19-24). In 1849 (age 24) I went to California (gold rush) and there followed the occupations of gold miner, trader, merchant and farmer; in 1860 (age 35) I returned to Massachusetts and was employed in an oil refinery until the rebellion broke (4/12/1861-1865) out when I resigned my situation and enlisted in the army."

Per Titusville Morning Herald, July 19, 1875, p.3 - "Suicide in Corry" (Extra facts and dates from Wiki and his grandson, J.K. Murdock)

.... Eugene Wright was about fifty years of age (1875). He was an actor by profession for some ten years, during which time he played in various parts of the country from Massachusetts to California, supporting among other famous actors, Edwin Booth (brother of John Wilkes Booth). He served in the Union army during the rebellion (4/12/1861-1865), having enlisted in a Massachusetts regiment. In 1861 he came to this city and took charge of the construction of the Downer Oil Works and other enterprises of Messrs Samuel Downer and W H L Smith. It is safe to say that in his day Mr Wright did as much for the welfare of Corry as any other two men who ever lived here. He was always closely identified with the business and municipal interests of the city, and has been connected with a large number of commercial enterprises here, both as principal and agent. Mr Wright was elected Councilman several years ago, and has served as School Director two or three terms. At one time he was extensively engaged in the coal trade, in the course of which he formed an extensive business acquaintance, especially in the Oil Region. For several years he has carried on the business of manufacturing laundry and toilet soaps, which he continued until the time of his death.

.... Eugene Wright's remains were interred in the beautiful cemetery north of the city (Pine Grove Cemetery), of which Mr Wright was the principal projector. The procession was very large, and was headed by a brass band playing a dirge. It is understood that Mr Wright had his life insured for $15,000 ($350,000 in 2020), which was assigned to his cousin, Mr W H L Smith, of Boston, formerly Mayor of Corry.

Per Pennsylvania Heritage mag, Winter 2009, Joshua M. Merrill Written by PA Heritage Staff

In 1854, oil merchant Samuel Downer purchased Atwood’s patent interests and established the Downer Kerosene Oil Company in Boston. .... After Drake discovered oil in 1859, Downer built the Downer Oil Works in northwestern Pennsylvania at Corry, where Merrill made some of his most significant discoveries. .... By 1863, the Downer Kerosene Oil Company was producing gasoline at its Boston plant under Merrill’s management. Per Eugene Wright's grandson, Joseph K. Murdock, the location in Corry was selected for the refinery because it was near the intersection of three rail lines. He knew this because his paternal grandfather, Robert Hammond Murdock, was the station master in Corry and taught Joe much about railroads and that business.

Per William H. L. Smith papers (Collection 0614), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

William Henry Leland Smith (1824 - 1889 age 65) was born in Lowell, Vermont, on November 16, 1824, to Henry and Maria (Leland) Smith. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1845, and received his law degree from Harvard University in 1848. He practiced law in Boston from 1848 to 1860 (age 36). He became the first mayor of Corry, Pennsylvania, in the mid 1860s, and died in Dorchester, Massachusetts, on December 29, 1889 at the age of 65. He was the manager of the Corry plant of the Downer Kerosene Oil Company in the 1860s (age 36 on).

He was the first commodore of the Boston Yacht Club per Joseph Murdock, his grand-nephew and was Helen Janette (Mocco) Wright's "benefactor and guardian" thus paid for her college.

Per Profitworks Blog - John D Rockefeller's Business Strategy, Net Worth Analysis and His Secret To Success

John D. Rockefeller - Early Work Career

• Age 16 (1855) - first job as an assistant bookkeeper at Hewitt & Tuttle for $200 a year
• Age 20 (1859) - started his own partnership with Maurice B. Clark selling wholesale produce on commission
• Reference date - August 27, 1859, Edwin L. Drake struck oil near Titusville in Northeast Pennsylvania
• Age 24 (1863) - constructed an oil refinery under a partnership with Samuel Andrews, Maurice B. Clark and his two brothers
• Age 26 (1865) - bought out the Clark Brothers from the partnership
• Age 27 (1866) - constructed an additional refinery and brought his brother William into the partnership
• Age 28 (1867) - Henry M. Flagler is added as a partner
• Reference date - 1869 Transcontinental Railroad Completed
• Age 31 (1870) - Standard Oil is Incorporated with 4% of refining marketing share and 250 competitors
• Age 34 (1873) - goes on a large competitive company acquisition spree after the economic downturn (The Panic of 1873), Rockefeller owns 26% of refining market share
• Age 40 (1879) - Rockefeller shuts down 31 of 53 refineries, building 3 super refineries to save costs and improve efficiencies

Full Article: Titusville Morning Herald, July 19, 1875, p.3

"SUICIDE IN CORRY - Tragic Death of Eugene Wright - He Deliberately Blows His Brains out with a Pistol - Coroner's Inquest with Closed Doors - Star-Chamber Proceedings - Intense Excitement in the City - Sketch of the Deceased - Corry, July 18, 1875 - Our city was thrown into a fever of the most intense excitement over rumors which gained currency shortly after 7 o'clock last evening concerning the discovery of the tragic death of Mr. Eugene Wright, one of our oldest and most well-known citizens. Your reporter was promptly on the spot and succeeded in gathering the following particulars of the sad affair, which has cast a deep gloom over the entire community. It appears that Mr. Wright (who for some time has been complaining of heart disease) left his house on Friday morning, without intimating to his family that he would be absent any length of time, or that anything unusual was the matter. His wife, however, had noticed an unwonted paleness on his countenance and the singular manner in which he looked at her on leaving home, and as he did not make his appearance during the day or night, she became alarmed, and on yesterday morning [a] search was instituted. Many persons were found who had seen Mr. Wright Friday afternoon and evening, but up to 12 o'clock last night but one man could be heard of who claimed to have seen him since then. About half past 6 o'clock last evening, Mr. M W Moffit, a prominent grocer, and Dr. C B Kibler had occasion to go to Mr. Wright's office in the Opera House. They found it locked, but could see through the window that something was wrong. An entrance being affected, Mr. Wright was discovered sitting in a chair, dead and cold, with a pistol wound in his forehead, near the top of the head. The weapon was lying on the floor, apparently as if dropped from his hand. It is a new model Colts' revolver, using a metallic cartridge of 36 caliber, one chamber of which was empty. He had evidently nerved himself with stimulants to commit the terrible deed, as by his side was found a pint bottle containing about a teacupful of whiskey. When discovered he was sitting upright, with his feet crossed, his coat and vest off, and his head leaning over the back of the chair. Apparently death had been instantaneous and without a struggle.

Immediately after the discovery, Alderman F H Burton empaneled a coroner's jury, as follows: H A Baker, foreman; C B Kibler, J C Wilson, M W Moffit, R M Johnson, R S Dunham. After viewing the body the jury, at 9 o'clock last evening, met at the alderman's office, where they held a closed session lasting an hour. But one witness was examined, Mayor T A Allen, who was asked to identify Mr. Wright's handwriting. A letter was found in Mr. Wright's office, which was taken possession of by the jury, which may throw some light on his motive in thus summarily ending his existence.

The members of the jury and many others were of the opinion, from the appearance of the body, that the deed was committed during Friday night. The blood on his forehead and on the floor was dried perfectly hard, with the exception of a mass in the wound, which was coagulated. Notwithstanding, the positively expressed opinion of the physician and others present that death had taken place eight or ten hours previous to discovery, many believed after examination that not more than three or four hours had elapsed. This belief was strengthened by the assertion of Charlie Barber that he saw and talked with Mr. Wright on the street between 2 and 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon under circumstances which would, he thinks, make it impossible for him to be mistaken in the day. If such is the case others will probably be found who saw him on Saturday.

Various rumors are afloat concerning the letter found in the room of the deceased, which is supposed to explain the cause of the act, but in the absence of any definite information we shall adopt the policy of 'silence.' The foreman of the jury refuses to give any clue to its contents, and intimates that it may not be made public at all. The jurymen are also very reticent about what took place at their secret session last night.

The majority of our citizens are justly indignant at what they term 'star-chamber' proceedings, at which the public can get no definite information. The experience the people here have already had with secret inquisitions (notably in the case of Mary Loichet) would appear to be sufficient for the present, and many would like to know what ends of justice are to be subserved by holding an inquest in secret over a supposed suicide. Fogyism is not dead yet, and fogies sometimes run coroner's juries as well as other things. Much feeling was expressed last night at the conduct of the foreman in so summarily suppressing knowledge from the public. The jury will meet again tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock, but whether with open or closed doors your correspondent will find out when he gets there.

Meantime, while waiting for the verdict, the general supposition is that temporary insanity, induced by ill health and financial embarrassment, was the cause of the suicide. Funeral services were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence of the deceased on Frederick street, and were conducted by the Rev Mr Adams. The remains were interred in the beautiful cemetery north of the city, of which Mr Wright was the principal projector. The procession was very large, and was headed by a brass band playing a dirge.

It is understood that Mr Wright had his life insured for $15,000, which was assigned to his cousin, Mr W H L Smith, of Boston, formerly Mayor of Corry. Eugene Wright was about fifty years of age.

He was an actor by profession for some ten years, during which time he played in various parts of the country from Massachusetts to California, supporting among other famous actors, Edwin Booth. He served in the Union army during the rebellion, having enlisted in a Massachusetts regiment. In 1861 he came to this city and took charge of the construction of the Downer Oil Works and other enterprises of Messrs Samuel Downer and W H L Smith. It is safe to say that in his day Mr. Wright did as much for the welfare of Corry as any other two men who ever lived here. He was always closely identified with the business and municipal interests of the city, and has been connected with a large number of commercial enterprises here, both as principal and agent. Mr Wright was elected Councilman several years ago, and has served as School Director two or three terms. At one time he was extensively engaged in the coal trade, in the course of which he formed an extensive business acquaintance, especially in the Oil Region. For several years he has carried on the business of manufacturing laundry and toilet soaps, which he continued until the time of his death. About two years ago he went to Missouri for his health. Last summer he returned to Corry, and on several occasions exhibited such positive evidence of aberration of mind that his friends were then afraid he would destroy himself. These attacks became less frequent, and nothing particularly strange was noticed in his demeanor until last Sunday morning, since which time he has appeared much depressed. Few men will be more greatly missed, especially by the laboring class, to whom he was always a staunch friend. During his real estate business it is said he sold over four hundred city lots on credit to laboring men, and in no instance has a foreclosure been made on account of nonpayment when due. On the contrary, ample time was given so that even the poorest could secure a home. His faults affected no one but himself. His virtues were known and read of all men. 'After life's fitful fever he sleeps well.' - COLEY" (Titusville Morning Herald, July 19, 1875, p.3)

WikiTree.com Page [3]
FamilySearch ID LHLH-D64

Daughter-Helen Jeanette Wright (1864 - 1951)

1st Wife-Janette (Williams) Wright (1837-1864 age 27)

1. ↑ Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1635-1850. (Boston: Beacon Press, 1891)
   p. 313.

   Eugene Wright son of Anthony & Mary E. Wright was born Sept. 7th 1825.
   [Note: from p. 61.]

2. ↑ United States. Army. Quartermaster General's Office. Card records of headstones provided for deceased Union Civil war veterans, ca. 1879-ca. 1903. (Washington, District of Columbia)
   [1].

   Name: Wright, Eugene
   Pvt., Co. G, Regt. 5th Mass. Inf.
   Cemetery: Village
   City: Corry
   County and State: Erie. Pa.
   died July 15 1875

3. ↑ Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   [2].

   2nd Ward of Corry, Erie, PA, 8 Jun 1870, Dwelling 340, Family 323
   Wright, Eugene, age 43, Real Estate Dealer, born Mass
   Wright, Alice, age 25, born Pa
   Wright, John, age 4, born Pa
   Wright, Frank, age 2, born New York
   Wright, Nellie, age 7, born Pa
   Wright, Jenni, age 16, born New York
   Wilson, Henry, age 15, Office Boy, born New York
   Morgan, Sophia, age 53, "Lives with her daughter", born New York
   McGill, Mary, age 35, Domestic Servant, born Ireland

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Find A Grave: Pine Grove Cemetery, Corry, PA, in Find A Grave
   Eugene Wright.

   Eugene Wright
   1825-1875