Wright was born in
Bradford County, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1822. He started in business at 15, and at 19 was taken as a partner by his employer. In 1843, he received from the Towanda Bank a trust of landed interests in the then small town of
Chicago, and in two years, he not only fulfilled this mission successfully but realized handsome profits in Chicago real estate for himself. He married Cordelia Williams in 1848. In 1858, he remarried to Susan Townsend. In 1874, he took part in founding the city of
Tacoma, Washington. and Washington College for boys, and was noted for his generosity to young men. He died at his home in
Philadelphia on March 24, 1898.
Charles Wright Academy in
University Place was named in his honor, as was Tacoma's
Wright Park Arboretum. ==References==