William E. Wright

As printed in 1882

WILLIAM EDMONSON WRIGHT.

William E. Wright, the official surveyor of Boone county, is the son of Peter and Jenny Wright. He was born near Nashville, Tennessee, December 18th, 1818. His father was born in Virginia, June 25, 1787, and moved with his father to Tennessee in the early settling of that State. He grew to manhood on the farm near Nashville, and was married September 20, 1810, to Jenny Edmonson. In July, 1818, came to Missouri and selected a home in Boone county, to which he moved with his family the following year. He settled near the head of the Two-mile prairie, about nine miles northeast of Colombia. He was appointed county surveyor in 1821, and was also one of the judges of the county court, and was elected to represent the county in the Legislature in 1822 and 1824. He died May 28, 1847. The subject of this sketch was but eight months old when his parents landed in Boone county. He was educated at the Columbia Academy and at Bonne Femme Academy, under the instructions of Summerfield, Roche and Cunningham. Learned surveying under Jiis father and his uncle, George. Cannot remember when he could not give courses from the compass. Accompanied his father and uncle on government surveys when but fourteen or fifteen years old and assisted them in their labors. He has followed farming and surveying since he reached manhood. Was elected county surveyor in 1880. Had previously acted as deputy. On assuming the duties of his office, he removed to Columbia, where he now resides. Had previously lived in Missouri township. Mr. Wright was married, January 13, 1848, to Augusta C. Siedikum, of Savannah, Red River county, Texas. Mrs. Wright is a native of Germany. They have had seven children, three of whom are living. Mr. Wright is a Democrat in politics, and has been all his life. He was a Union man during the war, but took no part in the struggle. He is a member of the Christian church and a Master Mason.

As printed in History of Boone County, Missouri (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.