VIRGINIA M. WRIGHT

Virginia M. Wright gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. 1855 in Illinois
D. February 25, 1860 in Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Dr. Orlando Saltmarsh Wright born September 29, 1829 in Herkimer County, NY, son of Amos Webster Wright (1793-1863) and Minerva (Griswold) Wright (1795-1880) early pioneers of Warren Township, Lake County, IL and they are buried in Druce Cemetery, Third Lake, Lake County IL. His sister, Melinda Griswold (Wright) Haines married Elijah Middlebrook Haines, founder of Hainesville, Lake County, IL; married (1) Mariah M. Davis on July 25, 1851 in Lake County, IL; the marriage status of Orlando and Maria after 1870 are unknown; married (2) Elvira Hampton prior to the 1880 census living in Seattle, King County, WA; Orlando died February 27, 1917 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA; buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, San Diego, San Diego County, CA

According to the San Diego Union (San Diego CA) Wednesday, February 28, 1917, page 12:

“PIONEER DEAD AFTER 44 YEARS’ RESIDENCE HERE – Funeral of Dr. Orlando Wright To Be Held Tomorrow Afternoon. – One of San Diego’s oldest pioneers, Dr. Orlando S. Wright, 87 years of age, died at his home, 2801 Cappa street, at 8:20 o’clock yesterday morning. The funeral services will be held at the Masonic temple at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Dr. Wright came from New York state to San Diego in 1873. He practiced medicine here in the early days, but retired from active practice years ago. He is said to have been one of the oldest Masons in the United States, having joined the order sixty-seven years ago. He was a member of Silver Gate Lodge No. 296, F. & A.M. Dr. Wright’s wife, who was the mother of seven children, died in this city twenty-one years ago. The doctor was a descendant of Daniel Webster. Silas Wright of Libertyville, Ill., is a brother of the deceased, and the surviving children are: Mrs. Edith Houser of East San Diego, Mrs. Grace W. Ono of San Diego, Mrs. Eva M. Weed of Holtville, Mrs. Olitha E. Bergen of Wichita, Kan., Henry V. Wright of Millers, Nev., Mrs. Lela J. Ward of Glendale and Mrs. Mabel Hampton Serabia of Sand Diego.”

Additional information:

According to the 1860 U.S. Census in the Town of Avon, Lake County, IL with a Fox Lake post office, the household members were:

“O.S. Wright, age 30, occupation: J.P. born in New York; Maria Wright, age 26, born in New York”

According to the 1860 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 for the year ending June 1, 1860 in the Town of Avon, Lake County, IL:

“Virginia Wright, age 5, female, born in Illinois, died in February, died of lazy fever, ill for 14 days”

According to the 1870 U.S. Census for Cameron, Clinton County, MO the household members were:

“O.S. Wright, age 38, occupation: physician, born in New York; Mariah (sic) Wright, age 34, born in New York”

The status of Orlando and Maria’s marriage is unknown after 1870. Orlando remarried Elvira Hampton a native of Kentucky in 1869 according to the U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900. According to the 1880 census Orlando (age 45) and Elvira (27) lived in Seattle, King County, WA with their children: Edith A Wright (6); Gracie A. Wright (4); Eva M Wright (3); and Olie Wright (11/12).