Joseph A. Wright
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| Jospeh Albert Wright | |
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| In office December 5, 1833 – December 4, 1834 |
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| In office December 5, 1836 – December 4, 1837 |
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| In office December 5, 1839 – December 4, 1842 |
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Tenth Governor of Indiana
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| In office December 5, 1849 – January 12, 1857 |
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| Preceded by | Paris C. Dunning |
| Succeeded by | Ashbel P. Willard |
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Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
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| In office January 1857 – January 1862 |
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| In office January 1863 – May 11, 1867 |
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| In office February 24, 1862 – January 14, 1863 |
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| Preceded by | Jesse D. Bright |
| Succeeded by | David Turpie |
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| Born | April 17, 1810 Washington, Pennsylvania |
| Died | May 11, 1867 Berlin, Germany |
| Political party | Democratic |
Joseph Albert Wright (April 17, 1810 – May 11, 1867) was a Democratic governor of the U.S. state of Indiana from December 5, 1849 to January 12, 1857.
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[edit] Biography
Wright was born in Washington, Pennsylvania in April 17, 1810 the son of a brickmaker. He moved with his family to Bloomington, Indiana in 1820. He was the brother of former Iowa Senator George G. Wright. His father died when he was fourteen and he worked as a janitor, bellringer, and occasional bricklayer in order to pay for his schooling. In Bloomington he attended a common school and later attended Indiana University and graduated in 1825. Wright was very active in the Methodist Church and a strong advocate of Sunday School.[1]
He took up the study of law after college and was admitted to the bar in 1829. The same year he moved to Rockville where he began his law practice.
[edit] Public Life
Wright was elected and served as a Park County's representative to the Indiana House of Representatives from 1833 until 1834 and again from 1836 until 1837. He was the prosecuting attorney of the 1st circuit from 1838 until 1839.
He became a member of the Indiana State Senate and served from 1839 until 1840.
He was elected as a delegate to the United States House of Representatives and served in the 28th Congress from March 4, 1843 until March 3, 1845. He failed to be reelected in 1844 and returned to his law practice.
He was elected governor of Indiana in 1849 and was reelected in 1854. He served until 1857. During his administration Indiana adopted its current constitution and was a driving force in its adoption in 1851. He also oversaw the creation of the State Board of Eduction and the State Agricultural Board.[2]
Wright was appointed by President James Buchanan to serve as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Prussia from 1857 until 1861. He was again appointed to that position in 1865 and served until May 11, 1867.
When Senator Jesse D. Bright was expelled from Congress for alleged disloyalty during the American Civil War Wright was appointed to serve as Senator from February 24, 1862 to January 14, 1863.
He died on May 11, 1867 in Berlin, Germany and is buried in New York City.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Biography and Portrait from Indiana State Library
- Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Indiana State Library Exhibit
| Preceded by Paris C. Dunning |
Governor of Indiana December 5, 1849 – January 12, 1857 |
Succeeded by Ashbel P. Willard |
| Preceded by Jesse D. Bright |
United States Senator (Class 1) from Indiana 1862 – 1863 Served alongside: Henry S. Lane |
Succeeded by David Turpie |
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