From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902.

Typed by Carol Taylor Lanza.

Page 779

JOHN WRIGHT, who is retired from active business, still retains his 
interest in the LaBelle Iron Works, and is a well-known citizen of 
Wheeling.  Mr. Wright was born at Pittsburg in 1824, and is a son of 
Thomas Wright, with whom he worked as engineer in Shoenberger's Mill at 
Pittsburg until 1849, when he came to Wheeling, where he have since 
been located.  He was engineer at the starting of the Belmont Mill, and 
continued thus until 1852, when, in the fall of the year, he took 
charge of the engines of the LaBelle Iron Works.  He remained with this 
concern until 1876, since which time he has lived practically in 
retirement, retaining, however, his iron and steel interests. 

John Wright was united in marriage, in the spring of 1852, with Eleanor 
Madden, who was born and reared in Wheeling.  They became the parents 
of seven children, namely:  Mrs. Anna Hugus; Elizabeth, who is at home; 
Ella, wife of Cecil Robinson; William, deceased; John E., president of 
the LaBelle Iron Works; Maggie (Taylor), who resides at Wheeling; and 
Carrie May, who was recently married to Thomas Stewart, and also 
resides in Wheeling.  John Wright has always been a Republican. Mrs. 
Wright belongs to the First United Presbyterian Church.  A portrait of 
the subject of this sketch, executed from a photograph taken in 
January, 1902, is shown on a preceding page.