My Genealogy Hound

JONATHAN ROCKWELL WRIGHT, a retired farmer of South Hadley, was born September 15, 1813, in Easthampton, son of Ichabod and Mary (Clapp) Wright. Ichabod Wright, one of the foremost farmers of Easthampton, continued in his independent occupation until his accidental death by drowning, August 1, 1844. His wife afterward made her home with her children, and died May 1, 1871. She bore her husband seven children, namely: Horace, who died in infancy; Horace, second, for many years a resident of Missouri, who died at Webster Groves in St. Louis County; I. Strong, who died at Crown Point, N. Y.; Edmund, for several years a home missionary in Missouri, who now lives at Seattle, Wash.; Jonathan Rockwell, the subject of this sketch; Russell M., now travelling in Europe; and an unnamed child that died in infancy.

Jonathan Rockwell Wright was reared on the home farm, and assisted in redeeming a large part of it from the wilderness. After the death of his father the homestead property was given to him; and he continued its improvement for many years, carrying on mixed husbandry with signal success. In March, 1861, Mr. Wright bought his present farming property, containing one hundred acres of fertile land. He labored on it with persevering energy until he had it in a tillable condition with substantial buildings, and the necessary equipments for successful farming. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, and is also interested in dairy work, selling a considerable quantity of milk. As a farmer, neighbor, and citizen, Mr. Wright has the esteem of the community aftd the confidence and good will of his friends and associates. Politically, he is an earnest Republican, but he has never held office.

On November 19, 1845, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Roxanna (White) Gaylord, who was born in Hampshire County, April 8, 1817. She died in August, 1895, on the home farm. She was a most estimable woman, a devoted wife, a tender mother, and a wise counsellor to her husband and children, who hold her in loving remembrance. She was a conscientious member of the Congregational church, to which Mr. Wright also belongs. They had four children, as follows: the first-born, whose birth occurred February 2, 1849, died in infancy; Mary J., born February 6, 1850, was married June 10, 1875, to R. M. Smith, who now lives in Granby; William Strong, born March 6, 1854, died February 2, 1863; and Alvin Lorenzo, born October 28, 1857, married Carrie E. Trimble, and now manages the home farm.