Page 790

JAMES L. WRIGHT, a merchant of Buffalo Heart, occupies an honorable position among the business men of this county. He is of Scottish birth and antecedents, born in Dumfries, Scotland, in 1840, a son of Thomas and Anna (Wilson) Wright, who were also natives of that land. The father was the first of the family to come to America and he took up his residence in New York where he was afterward joined by his wife.

The mother of our subject came to Springfield in 1845 with her two children and her parents, and settled near Riverton, Her son John is now a farmer in Williams Township. Her son James of whom this sketch is written, enjoyed but meagre school advantages and set out to fight life's battle alone at an early age. He was first employed as a farm hand. He acquired a good knowledge of farming, and was finally enabled to purchase eighty acres of land. He retained that but a short time, however, when he disposed of it and bought another eight acres of land. He subsequently purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Illiopolis Township, in 1871 and resided thereon three years. At the expiration of that time he sold that property at a good advantage and bought two hundred acres of land in Buffalo Heart Township. In 1880, his health having become impaired he went to Eureka Springs, Ark., and was a resident there three years.

Coming back to Buffalo Heart, our subject sold his farm and invested the proceeds in a stock of general merchandise and established himself here in the mercantile business, where he is doing well; he has two commodious rooms well-fitted up in which he carries some $4000 worth of well selected stock. He has built up a good trade and has the patronage of the best people in the place.

Our subject was exceedingly fortunate in his marriage, which occurred October 25, 1871, when he was united to Miss Iva Burns, a daughter of John Burns, coming of one of the oldest and best families of the county. This pleasant union has been blessed to our subject and his wife by two children, Arthur Francis and Lucy Ann, both of whom are attending school. The whole family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are among its most active members.

Mr. Wright is a thoroughly good man of unimpeachable character and of good personal habits. He is very temperate, never took a drink in a saloon and is an ardent opponent of the whiskey traffic. He has always been in favor of the best schools, and as Director has worked to further the cause of education in Buffalo Heart. Every feasible scheme for the advancement of the community, finds in him an earnest friend and a liberal supporter.