Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1885 — A Former Prominent Citizen Dead. [ARTICLE]

A Former Prominent Citizen Dead.

Editor Rensselaer Republican-. A letter lately received from Mrs. Mattie A. Tatman, of Nashville, Illinois, gives the sit'd intelligence of the death of her father, the Hon. Ezra Wight, who died at his home at Richview, 111., on the ■morningof the 28th of March, past. Mr. Wright having been long a resident of onr county, and closely identified with the best interests of our people, the writer of this deems a few remarks in regard to him might be of interest to your readers; Mr. W/i ght, nt the time of his death, •was over seventy-two years old. About one year ago he was attacked with rheumatism in bis bead and sheulders. fins ■very much alarmed bis family, who nearly despaired of life, at the time, but owing lo a vigorous constitution, he was able to rally and to get around again with some what of his usual vitality. On Friday, March 27, 1885, he spent a very pleasant day with his numerous friends in his Illinois home, and retired to his room at night feeling .more comfortable than <fer many days previous. This was the last his family ever saw of him in life. He arose about 5 o’clock in the morn ing, 'dressed and went down into the sitting room, and occupied his arm-chain. This did not alarm the family, as he was an early riser A and it was his usual custom to bo up be fore any of the household. About six ■o’clock a member c.f the family came into the siting room and found him apparently asleep in his chair, but a closer view revealed the .fact that death had silently stolen into the room, and borne away the spirit, while the family were asleep. Mr, Wright was favorably and well known to many of our older citizens here. He came to this county about the vear when it was yet a howling wilderness, and undeveloped. He settled'on the .farm now owned by Mr. William S. ■ Uoeto, north-west of town, where he carried en the tannery business with farming. He -also added to his other business a nursery stock, and for many years supplied our farmers with fruit, trees Ac. Mr. Wright early in life conceived the belief that it was wrong to bold Lis fellow tean in slavery and was a staunch advocate of the abolition of slavery. Mr. Wright was loved and honored by Ilia oitizen friends and tney, on many occasions, .give substantial proofs of their Tegard. first by electing him Treasurer of our county, in 1857, -arid again totlie same office in 1859. In 1861 hp was sent to rhe State Legislature as Senator of thia sen* torial District, and in 18G5 he was sent to tbe lower house. In his career as a public officer he was always conscientious, energetic and acted up to his highest conceptions of truth and justice. In private life he was a zealous Christian, and loyal to his convictions of right. He never al lowed himself, knowingly, to do a wrong . --OTct; and was always an opposer of crime in whatever formas met it. About 1871 he moved to Southern 111iaois and engaged in fruit culture. In his new homo, aa h ere he made a host of h * ndained until his death. Hie memory is revered by ' tliQiv. ns it is cherished by us and we remember h’m us of the purest and beet mtn of our day Al" • - ’ ••