My Genealogy Hound

Capt. James C. Wright, merchant and postmaster at Chester, is a son of Isham and Mary (Shepherd) Wright, natives of Kentucky and Alabama, respectively, who came to this county during their youth. The mother having returned to her native State, she was there married to Mr. Wright, and in 1841 they returned to Crawford County, settling upon their present place. He is a farmer, and in politics a Jackson Democrat, and is now seventy-six years of age. She is a member of the Methodist Church, and seventy-eight years of age. Capt. Wright is their eldest son, and was born July 3, 1830, in Jackson County, Ala. He was educated in the old-time schools, and when eighteen began the battle of life for himself. In 1850 he married Maria J. Marlar, a native of Giles County, Tenn., who came to Crawford County in 1843. She died in 1858, leaving one son, William, and the same year he married Sarah C. Lester, a native of this State, by whom he has one daughter, Lulu S. Capt. Wright belongs to the Methodist Church, with which both his wives were united. While the war was in progress, having taken part in the fight at Wilson’s Creek, he returned and organized Company E, Thirty-fourth Arkansas Infantry, Confederate States Army, of which he was elected captain in May, 1862, holding that office until the close of the war. January 2, 1863, while home on recruiting service, he was captured by the enemy, but was exchanged ten days later, after which he returned to his command. Upon the close of the war he engaged in farming until 1883, and then built a small store, which he stocked with goods, and his business venture has been so successful that since then he has built himself a more commodious house. He is a self-made man, a Democrat, Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Knights of Labor.