John W. Wright, one of the old residents and farmers of the Fifth District, was born in North Carolina, in 1816, and was one of thirteen children; only two of them are living. The parents were Isaac and Martha (Wilburn) Wright. The father was born in North Carolina about 1776, married and raised his family there, and engaged in farming. He went to school with Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk. He died before the late war, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Mr. Wright's mother was born about 1771, and died in 1836. Mr. John Wright was educated at Chapel Hill Institute, North Carolina. In 1838 he married Miss Mary McCombs, who was born in Davidson County, in 1821. They have five children: Sarah (widow of Alvin Kirk), Elijah, Tennessee (wife of James M. Gleves); and next were twins - Grant and Sherman. After marriage he located in the Sixth District, of Dyer County, and remained on that farm ten years, then moved to another farm in the same district, and stayed there ten years; then located on his present residence. Mr. Wright at one time owned over 1,200 acres, but has been an exceedingly liberal man with his children, giving them many advantages and a start in life. He is a Republican; was formerly a Whig and voted for William H. Harrison, and was bitterly opposed to the succession of the State. William, the eldest son of Mr. Wright, was in the Federal Army and died in Hospital No. 3, at Nashville.