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farm giving them the benefit of a common school education. In June 1874 Jesse started for Kansas, arriving at Norton November 23 of that year, making the trip from eastern Kansas here with an ox team. In the spring of 1875 he took land on Battle creek three miles north of Calvert, where he lived, keeping bachelor hall until 1876, when his mother came. He stayed on the farm until 1882 at which time he came to Norton and engaged in the creamery business. He followed that business three years. In 1886 he purchased the furniture stock of N. L Johnson and sold an interest to his brother Joshua and began business under the firm name of Wright Brothers. In 1887 they added groceries to their stock and ran them in connection with their furniture. In 1889 they sold the furniture to W. J. Bower and in 1892 they put in a large stock of boots and shoes and in 1893 they put in a stock of dry goods and gents' furnishing goods. Speaking in a general way they are among the most successful merchants that ever did business in Norton. Beginning in a small way and with limited means their business has gradually increased until they have one of the finest equipped stores in Norton, besides they own considerable real estate and are out of debt. Jesse early displayed an aptitude for public affairs, was prominent in the councils of the Norton party during the county seat contest. In January 1881 he circulated a petition for the formation of a new township; which he gave the name of Emmet [Emmett] in honor of his old township in Illinois. He was married to Carrie Bieber on February 8, 1882. She died in Norton March 18, 1888. He was elected county clerk on the republican ticket in 1889 and re-elected in 1891. He left the office with a clean record and more friends and fewer enemies than any man that ever occupied that position in this county. 
Joshua F. Wright came here in 1876, and took a homestead two miles north of Norton.
He gave his entire time to farming for 1he next ten years; he then associatiated (sic) himself with his brother in business in Norton and has remained here continuously ever since.He was married to Mary E. Reed, October 26, 1887; she had come to this country with her parents and settled in Emmet [Emmett] township in 1884. They had one child, Ethel Clair born July 27, 1889. Mrs. Wright died February 8, 1893; from the effects of a surgical operation. Eliza Wright began teaching in 1880, she taught four terms in this county. was for a time assistant post mistress under her uncle. J. H. Simmons She was married to George J. McDaniels March 24, 1884. They moved away from this country in 1887. He was employed as teacher for three years in Kirkville, Missouri; after that he conducted a private school at Moberly, Missouri; but is now on a farm in Douglas county Missouri. They have four children. |
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