308 Life and Character of C. E. Wright — Lawton. 
flagged. When a mere boy lie was an enthusiast in science and 
had become an original investigator. In his father's house he 
had a laboratory and, almost self-taught, he had been able to 
make many analyses, and to become expert as a machinist and 
inventor. 
Mr. Wright was born at Copenhagen, Lewis Co., N. Y., Oct. 
7th, 1843, in the same house in which his father had also first 
seen the light of day. His father's parents had come into the 
region at an early date from Connecticut, where their ancestors 
had been among the first settlers. His mother's grandparents 
had emigrated from Rhode Island where the names of their pro- 
prietors appear in the primary records of that diminutive 
colony. The grandfathers of both his father and his mother 
were soldiers in the patriot army in the first war for independ- 
ence. Every drop of his blood was as purely American as it is 
possible that it could be derived, and his character was true to 
every loyal instinct of his race.' 
His father led a useful life, distinguished for his probity and 
good judgment, and his mother was a person of singular amia- 
bility and good sense. Far and wide, among kindred and 
friends, they were both greatly beloved and their home was a 
favorite resort, where all found ready welcome. 
Mr. Wright was fortunate all hislife in his home; none was 
happier than the home of his childhood and none more 
congenial than the home of his married life. 
After completing a course in civil engineering, Mr. Wright be- 
came city engineer at Auburn, N. Y., where his parents resided 
and he was noted for the rapidity and accuracy of his work; 
but in addition he did chemical work, practiced telegraphy and 
gave attention to applied mechanics and machinery. Subse- 
quently he familiarized himself with the metallurgy of iron- 
making, at the Pioneer and Lawton furnaces, located respect- 
ively at Negaunee and Lawton, Mich., where he was engaged 
during 1866-7, thence going to the Red River iron works near 
Lexington, Ky., where he remained as chemist and engineer 
for two years. The company operated both mines and furnaces 
and the experience which he obtained here was varied and 
valuable. 
Mr. Wright determined to carry out the plan which he had 
long entertained of going to Europe to pursue his studies. He 
