Person:Wirt Wright (1)

Wirt McLean Wright, as his middle name suggests, was born (1877) in McLean Co. Illinois where his father farmed. Soon after the death of his father, Carey C. Wright, Wirt McLean and his brother, Samuel McArthur, moved to Ft. Morgan, Colorado. Wirt is the first of the Wrights in this line to break from the occupation of farming. Wirt decided to attend Simpson College in IL and graduated from that institution in 1901. Returning to Ft. Morgan, Colorado, he met Leota Oneta Graham, daughter of Robert John Graham and Ida Pauline Howard. They married in 1903 and raised a family of two sons, Donald Graham Wright and Robert Carey Wright. Wirt became interested, along with his father-in-law, in the steam laundry technology. Sometime between 1910 and 1920 Wirt moved his family to Colusa, California, where he worked as a “laundryman.” By 1930 Wirt and his family were in Ashland, Oregon. He owned a steam laundry, which he managed until his retirement soon after WWII. Wirt lived to be 92 years old and died in 1969. Wirt is remembered as a “proper gentleman” and, true to his Scots-Irish heritage, a loyal Presbyterian. He was active in the Presbyterian Church until he died.

Wirt McLean Wright and Leota Oneta Graham, ca 1904

Family of Wirt McLean Wright and Leota Oneta Graham and their two children: Donald Graham Wright and Robert Carey Wright. Photo was taken about 1907-08.

1. ↑ Source. (Wright Family Bible, originally owned by James Wright and Melinda Bayne, but now in possession, as of 1/26/01 of Richard W. Wright and Janet Miner Wright.).
2. ↑ Source (17).
3. ↑ Source (7).