Singleton G. Wright Biographical Review

SINGLETON G. WRIGHT is numbered among the honored pioneers who have passed away. He was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, January 12, 1816, and died in Huntsville township, February 24, 1886. He has four brothers, Richard, James, Edmund and William. He came to Illinois on horseback in 1836 and when he arrived in Schuyler county his saddle horse constituted his entire property. He worked as a farm hand for William McKee, near Rushville, and while thus engaged made the acquaintance of Sarah E. Graham, who afterward became his wife. She was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Fergus and Martha (Tyree) Graham, who settled in Schuyler county in an early day. About two years later Mr. Wright settled on section 17, Huntsville, where he purchased 320 acres of land. He was industrious and observed due economy, and thus soon paid for his land and had money to loan. He carried on stock raising in addition to his farming. He was an active man until 1880, when he was taken sick with softening of the brain, which caused his death six years later. He was a Democrat in politics and a warm friend of public schools, being elected as School Trustee several terms. He donated the land occupied by the schoolhouse in the district. Mrs. Wright still survives her husband and still resides on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Wright had four children: Frances, the wife of William Wood, Jr.; Martha and Columbia, who carry on the home farm; and Alice, the wife of R. Ackley. When Mr. Wright’s health failed the work of carrying on the farm devolved on his two daughters, Martha and Columbia, as did the other business. These two girls have carried on the work of the farm successfully, not only superintending the work but also doing much of the outdoor labor themselves. When their father died the two girls purchased the interest of the others and now own the farm with the exception of their mother’s dowry. Martha attended college at Abingdon, Illinois, and taught school for thirteen terms. She was a close student, rising at four in the morning in order to study. She is very systematic in all her work. The two are always willing to exert their influence for the Democratic party.