(Salem) 

1310 Ferry (son Samuel’s home) 

1296 Ferry 

William Wright was born in New Jersey 8 Aug 1845. He married Lydia Green 14 Feb 1868 in Illinois. The couple moved to Benton County, Indiana shortly after their marriage; their first two children were born there. By 1872 they had moved back to Illinois; the next three children were born there. In October of 1878 the family moved to Salem, Oregon. The couple had five more children while living in Salem.  

All together William and Lydia had ten children: Anna (1867-1890), Samuel M (1871-1931), Daniel Perry (1872-1947), Thomas L (1874-1883), Harvey Landis (1877-1937), William Dean (1879-1932), Gracie (1881-1881), Alfred Stanton (1883-1939), Charles Clinton (1885-1952) and Virgil Finis (1887-1946). The oldest, daughter Anna was a teacher but passed away at age 22. Their daughter Gracie was born in 1881 but only lived a month. Their son Tommie was only eight when he died. These children are buried in Lee Cemetery by their parents. The other seven sons lived relatively long successful lives. Two sons, William Dean and Charles Clinton became veterinary doctors.  

William and son Samuel were hired to work at TKWM when it opened in 1890. William was a night watchman and Samuel in the dye department. William was there only a short time, but Samuel went on to work at the mill for almost forty years. Another son, Daniel Perry also worked for the mill as a laborer as early as 1891 and was a spinner & finisher by 1910. William worked as a farmer and common laborer. He was known as “Uncle Billy”. 

The year 1897 was a very difficult one for the family as Lydia was committed to the insane asylum by her husband in Jan. Their two grown sons, Sam and Perry fought the proposition. Lydia was released in Feb to live with her son Perry at his home in Albany. Perry had a good job at the woolen mill in Albany and he married in Oct of that year. Lydia may have returned to Salem after that because she died at her home in Salem on 16 Nov 1897. William was in Butte, MT at the time. He never remarried. 

In August 1906 there was a fire which at first was thought to be the mill again. It was actually the home and barn of Billy Wright and was almost totally destroyed. This home was very close to the mill, on the corner of Ferry and 13th streets. The night watchman at the mill noticed and sounded the alarm. They were able to keep it from spreading. 

For a short time around 1910, William lived with his son Samuel, while Sam was between marriages. William held a variety of jobs including scissor grinder, horse radish maker, and farmer. He traveled all over Oregon peddling his wares and services. 

By 1920, at age 75, William owned and worked a small farm in Independence. His son Charles was also involved with this farm. They were known for growing spinach. Charles was a veterinarian. So was his brother William Dean. 

By 1930 William had retired and moved back into Salem, 1296 Ferry St. close to the north side of TKWM. He remained close to his son Samuel until the end of his life in 1931 at the age of 90. He and wife Lydia are buried in Lee Mission Cemetery, Salem, OR.  

1860 William Wright. Age: 15. Birth Year: Abt 1845 in New Jersey. Home in 1860: Alloway, Salem, New Jersey. Single, son to HOH. Additional household members. James G. Wright, 52 (father). Hannah Wright, 45 (mother). Hannah M. Wright, 17 (sister). Amanda H. Wright, 13 (sister). Mary Pernell, 12 (unknown relationship). 

1870 William Wright. Age: 25. Birth Date: Abt 1845 in New Jersey. Home in 1870: Gilboa, Benton, Indiana. Married, HOH. Occupation: Farmer. Additional household members: Lydia Wright, 24 (wife). Ann Wright (daughter), James Wright, 12. (unknown relationship). 

1880 Wm Wright. Age: 35. Birth Date: Abt 1845 in New Jersey. Home in 1880: East Salem, Marion, OR. Married, HOH. Occupation: Laborer. Additional household members: Lydia Wright, 35 (wife). Anna Wright, 11 (daughter). Sam’l Wright, 9 (son). Perry Wright, 7 (son). Thos. Wright, 5 (son). Harvy Wright, 3 (son). Dean Wright, 6/12 (son). 

1895  (Marion County Census) William Wright. Age: 50. Born abt 1845 in New York. Religion: Protestant. Occupation: Scissor Grinder. 

1900 Wright William, Age: 55, Born: Aug 1844 in New Jersey. Home in 1900: lodger at 312 Third St, Portland, Multnomah, OR. Occupation: laborer nursery man 

1910 William Wright. Age: 65. Birth Date: 1845 in New Jersey. Home in 1910: Salem Ward 4, Marion, OR. Widowed. Occupation: Manufacturer of Horse Radish. Additional household member: Samuel Wright, 39 (son and HOH). 

1920 William Wright. Age: 75. Birth Year: Abt 1845 in New Jersey. Home in 1920: Independence, Polk, OR. Widowed, HOH. Occupation: Farmer. No additional household members. 

1930 William Wright. Age: 85. Birth Year: Abt 1845 in New Jersey. Home in 1930: 1296 Ferry St. Salem, Marion, OR. Widowed, HOH. Occupation: None listed. No additional household members. 

1893 Wright Wm, gardener, res at 204 13th St. 

1896    Wright Wm, gardener, res Ferry sw cor 13th. 

1930 Wm Wright. No Occ. 1296 Ferry 

Lydia Green Wright. Birth: 21 Oct 1845 in Astoria, Fulton County, Illinois. Death: 16 Nov 1897 (aged 52) in Salem, Marion County, OR. Burial: Lee Mission Cemetery, Salem, Marion County, OR. Memorial ID: 17239691 

Statesman Journal 24 Nov 1893, p 4  He is a Typical Salemite 

Statesman Journal 13 Dec 1893, p 4 – Home Again 

Capital Journal 1 Jan 1897, p 4 – Committed to Asylum 

Albany Democrat 8 Jan 1897, p 3 – Looks Bad 

Statesman Journal 17 Nov 1897, p 5 – Obituary – Lydia Wright 

Statesman Journal 14 Aug 1906, p 3 – Is False Alarm 

Oregon Statesman 14 Apr 1935, p 2  Death Notice – William Wright 

Oregon Statesman 14 Apr 1935, p 1  Obituary – “Billy” Wright 

Capital Journal 15 Apr 1935, p 7  Funeral Notice – William Wright