Gleaning the History from Wright Brothers Checks- Their styles and values

(Updated 3/30/24) Attractively framed checks associated with the Wright Brothers are readily available for those collectors who would appreciate a solitary framed autographed item associated with either Wilbur or Orville Wright. The prime interest may simply be in displaying a full autograph, with little thought given to the content of the check such as the date, receiver, or amount. There is quite a variety of checks available, and depending on your budget, you may choose to pick one, or assemble a collection. Checks from 1904 through January of 1908 are signed Wright Cycle Co with either Orville or Wilbur's initials written below. Then in later January 1908, the checks were signed Wright Brothers with Orville or Wilbur's initials below. Checks from 1904 through 1907 were fully in either Orville or Wilbur's hand, with those in 1908 having exceptions.

When purchasing checks associated with the Wright Brothers, a collector needs to be aware that the checks are not always in the hand of either Wilbur or Orville. Many checks are fully in their brother Lorin Wright's hand, including signing for Orville Wright, beginning with the year 1909. Lorin would sometimes place his initials under Orville's name, but not always. Lorin wrote and signed many of the checks from 1909 through 1912, signing as Orville Wright, as Wright Bros., or as Wright Brothers.

 

Orville Wright's name as signed by his brother Lorin Wright. The W is very distinctive for Lorin and easily identified.

 

By 1913, Orville's secretary Mabel Beck often wrote the body of the check, with Orville signing. Lorin continued to write checks, with breaks in years, up through 1929. Mabel remained Orville's secretary until his death in 1948, and so the majority of checks from 1917 through 1948 are in Mabel's hand with Orville's signature. I am not aware of Mabel ever signing Orville's name; only Lorin did this. Checks completely in Orville's hand are available amongst the checks written after 1913, and are in my opinion, more desirable. 

Auction Houses will often make the mistake of indicating the check is entirely in the hand of Orville Wright, when in fact it is only signed by Orville. His handwriting is distinctly different from that of Mabel Beck's to the trained eye. Other times, they'll error by indicating the check is filled out in another hand, and signed by Wright, when in fact, the entire check is in the hand of Orville Wright. Below I provide some examples from RR Auction, an auction house I highly recommend, and from which I have made purchases. They simply unintentionally misidentified these examples.

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This check was sold by RR Auction in April of 2010 for $530. It was described as "filled out in another hand and signed by Wright, payable to The Bank of Toronto for $300, August 9, 1938....Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA." This check, however, is fully in the hand of Orville Wright. A nice buy. An interesting check, cashed when Orville would have been at his summer retreat property, Lambert Island in Canada. Note the two ways he wrote his letter "T", in The, and Three, and in Toronto.

This check sold by RR Auction in May of 2017 for $530 was described as "filled out and signed by Wright, "Orville Wright", payable to cash for $200, October 1, 1918." The body of this check, however, is filled out by Orville's secretary Mabel Beck, and only signed by Orville. This check still provides a nice strong Orville Wright autograph. Note the "T" in Two. This is typical of Mabel Beck's handwriting, not Orville's. 

Orville Wright's partial handwritten letter to his father, September 16, 1907, courtesy of Library of Congress. Note the style of the "T" in The. Compare this to the word "The" in the August 9, 1938 check above indicated to be in "another hand". Then compare the "T" in the word "Two" in the October 1, 1918 check above said to be in Orville's hand.

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This check sold by RR Auction in March of 2022 for $656 was described as "boldly filled out and signed by Orville Wright, payable to Mabel Beck...". Clearly, this check is filled out by Mabel Beck, and only signed by Orville Wright. One would only need to turn the check over to compare Mabel Beck's endorsement to the handwriting in the Pay to the Order of line to see that this is in her hand. 

 

 

 

Mabel Beck's signature is distinctive, with the high loop on the M in Mabel, and the flowery sizable B in Beck. Comparison to name on the above check shows clearly Mabel Beck's handwriting. From author's collection, August 9, 1939 letter to Mr. G. Gebhardt.

 

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Factors affecting value of Wright Brother Checks:

 

• Date of check.

• Who's signature appears on check.

• If signature is full, or just initials. 

• If check is fully in Wilbur's or Orville's hand, or just the signature.

• If check is made out to an individual of interest and endorsed by that person. A partial list is offered below.                                                              

• Condition of check.
  

• Historical significance of the check.

 

Checks made out to specific individuals of interest (partial list)- 

1. Charlie Taylor, the Wright's mechanic
2. Howard Gill, Wright Brother Exhibition aviator.
3. William Tompert, owned Meat store at 1109 West Third, near Wright's Cycle Shop.
   
4. Carrie Grumbach, the Wright's house keeper.
5. Lottie Jones, the Wright's laundress.
6. William Lewis, servant at Hawthorn Hill.
   
7. Mabel Beck, the Wright's secretary. 
8. Charles Webbert, the Wright's landlord when at 1127 West Third.
   
9. Frank Hale, neighbor to the west of Cycle Shop at 1127 West Third.
10. Katherine Wright, Wilbur and Orville's sister. 
    
11. Lorin Wright, Wilbur and Orville's brother.
12. Milton Wright, Lorin's son.
    
13. Ivonette Wright Miller, Lorin Wright's daughter.
14. Leontine Wright, Lorin Wright's daughter.
    
15. Herbert Wright, Reuchlin Wright's son, (Reuchlin, Wilbur and Orville's brother)
16. Katherine Wright, Herbert Wright's daughter.
    
17. Wilbur Herbert Wright, Herbert Wright's son.
• Orville wrote numerous checks to his grand nephew Wilbur H. Wright. Competing bidders brought the final price to $2340 for a May 16, 1947 check in Mabel Beck's hand, signed by Orville, and signed on back by Wilbur H. Wright. Actual value in my opinion is more in the range of $850 on the high end, but obviously the bidders disagree with me on this one, purchased from Heritage Auctions 2/27/22. This check is one of seven written to Wilbur H. Wright checks I've seen offered. One sold in 2003 for $531. One sold in 2011 for $1011. One sold in 2013 for $779. One sold in 2014, also for $779. All various dates from 1946 and 1947.
  

 

Price Range of Wright Brother Checks:

In my opinion, the value of checks associated with the Wright Brothers should vary per the following list starting from lowest value to highest, based on the factors as listed. Earlier dated checks would be more desirable than later dated check, but of course with some exceptions due to content:

• Check completely in Lorin Wright's (LW) hand.
• Check completely in LW's hand, signed by LW as Wright Cycle Co.
• Check completely in LW's hand, signed by LW as Wright Brothers.
  
• Check in LW's hand written to Charlie Taylor (CT), and endorsed by CT.
• Check in LW's hand written to OW, and endorsed by OW.
  
• Check in Mabel Beck's (MB) or some other hand, and signed by Orville Wright (OW).*
• Check completely in OW's hand, signed Wright Cycle Co and initialed by OW.
• Check completely in OW's hand, signed Wright Brothers and initialed by OW. 
• Check completely in OW's hand, and signed OW.
  
• Check completely in OW's hand, written to CT, and endorsed by CT, 1904/1905 time period.
  
• Check completely in OW's hand, written to CT, endorsed by CT, 1906-1910 time period.
• Check completely in OW's hand, written to CT, endorsed by CT, later than 1910.
• Check in LW's, MB's, or some other hand, signed Wright Cycle Co and initialed by Wilbur Wright (WW).
• Check in LW's, MB's, or some other hand, signed Wright Brothers and initialed by WW.
• Check in LW's, MB's, or some other hand, signed by WW.
  
• Check completely in WW's hand, signed Wright Cycle Co, or Wright Brothers, and initialed by WW.
• Check completely in WW's hand, signed by WW.
• Check signed by both Wilbur and Orville.
  
• Check of historical significance, signed by OW or WW. One example is pictured later in this post, the Wright's bond check of $2500 for the sale of the first aeroplane to the U.S. government (10% of their asking price of $25,000).
  

 *  Results of recent sales (2023) appear to indicate more interest (higher selling prices) in checks fully signed by Orville Wright but in the hand of Mable Beck in lieu of checks fully in Orville's hand, but signed Wright Cycle Co or Wright Brothers with his initials. This would indicate that collectors are more interested in the full signature. Personally, I recognize Orville's handwriting well enough, that I basically see his "signature" throughout the check if all in his hand, and see more value than one simply written by Mabel and signed by Orville. But, we each have our preferences I suppose.

1. Checks in Lorin Wright's hand can be obtained in the usual price range of $150 to $350. The actual range I've seen them sell is from $54 to $920. The low price being a bargain buy on E-bay, and the higher price likely paid by a collector who didn't recognize the check was entirely in Lorin's hand.
2. Checks completely in Orville Wright's hand, but signed Wright Cycle Co or Wright Brothers with initials OW should sell in the $325 to $1100 range, but this year (2023) I've witnessed a number of these checks selling as low as $180, as others offered at the same time by the same dealer go for several hundred more, though in Mabel Beck's hand with Orville's signature, and from a later date. As mentioned above, I believe this is due to the desire of some collectors to obtain a full signature.
   
3. Checks in Mabel Beck's hand, but with Orville Wright's signature can be purchased in the range of $325 to $1100. There are exceptions with checks selling much higher, either because of special content, or buyer's inexperience in value.
   
4. Checks in Wilbur Wright's hand signed Wright Cycle or Wright Brothers with Wilbur's initials sell in the range of $1500-$2500. I've seen them listed for higher asking prices ($4500), but I doubt many sell in that higher range, though at least one did in 2014 at $4873.
   
5. Early checks in Orville's hand written to Charlie Taylor sell for $850 to $1200. I recall these being offered in the $1850 range eight years ago, but I don't know if they sold for that amount. In 2023, I've seen a number of OW to CT checks sell in the range of $550 to $795. These should be more desirable than a check to a utility company which will often sell in this same price range.
   
6. Checks in Wilbur's hand written to Charlie Taylor sell for $1800 to $2500. Again, I've seen these listed at higher prices, but I don't know that they sell when asking $3800 to $4500. 

When comparing sale prices of the variety of checks offered, it becomes apparent that a consistency in price is lacking. For example, it is not uncommon to see a later date Mabel Beck produced check signed by Orville Wright written to a Utility company sell for more than a more desirable earlier dated check completely in Orville's hand written to his sister Katharine, with her endorsement on the rear of the check. As checks are offered separately from each other over a period of many years by many various sellers, these side by side comparisons generally aren't available. Hence, the inconsistent prices and one of the purposes of this post.

 

Dates of Wright Brother Checks and affect on value:

Checks dated during the period the Brothers were active with the development and sale of the Wright Flyers would generally be more desirable and of higher value than those of a later period. Again though, other factors enter in, such as if the check is fully in Orville or Wilbur's hand. I would place checks from 1904 and 1905 of special interest as the Wright Flyer was being perfected at Huffman Prairie in Dayton Ohio during these years. Checks from 1906 through 1909 represent the time period the Brothers marketed, further developed, and eventually demonstrated and sold their machines. Checks 1910 through 1915 incorporate the years of the Wright Exhibitions and the Wright Company aeroplane factory. Wilbur died in 1912, and Orville eventually sold the company in October of 1915. 

I've taken an inventory of Wright Brother checks offered for sale over the past two decades and my list is far from complete, and so what I share now is subject to updating as I continue to research. These are simply the number of checks of these dates that I've found records of being offered for sale, and these quantities do not necessarily correlate to the actual number of checks available to collectors for each of these years. The total number of checks from 1904 through 1947 that I've inventoried number 625 checks. The earliest checks for which I've found sales records, are dated December of 1904; my list includes five. From 1905, twelve checks. From 1906, one check. From 1907, sixty checks. From 1908, twelve checks. From 1909, nineteen checks. From 1910, fourteen checks. From 1911, nine checks. From 1912, seventeen checks. From 1913, five checks. From 1914, eight checks. From 1915, six checks. From 1916, twenty checks. 

The years 1917 and 1929  have a high number of checks in my inventory- 61 checks for 1917 and 58 checks for 1929. Other years that offer a large available quantity of checks include 1918 (21), 1939 (35), 1944 (30), and 1947 (22). I believe Orville preserved all his cancelled checks going back decades. How these would have been distributed by Orville's executors Harold S. Miller and Harold W. Steeper, I don't know the specifics. Likely, they all remained with Harold and Ivonette Wright Miller, who then offered them at auction in the 1980's, with Heritage Collectors Society purchasing all or part of the archive at that time. If all the checks survived from the years 1905 through 1947, they would number 12,000 or so.

I am not aware of checks dated earlier than December of 1904 being offered to collectors. 

 

Checks completely in Orville Wright's hand:

Checks completely in Orville's hand are less common after 1916. From my sample inventory of 625 checks, I find only seven checks in this group after 1916 completely in Orville's hand. The the vast majority of the checks after 1916 are in Mabel Beck's hand, with Orville's signature. The August 9, 1938 check pictured earlier is one example of a later dated check in Orville's hand. From the 625 check inventory, checks in Orville's hand include-

• April 24, 1920, No. 491, to J. H. Carr, Treasurer, $250 (offered by HFS for $1000).
• Aug 15, 1922, to Vilhjalmur Stefansson, $3000 (offered by HFS for $1600).
  
• December 24, 1930, made out to himself, and so signed three times.
• Aug 8, 1931, to Gidley Boat Co Ltd.
• Aug 19, 1931, to Gidley Boat Co Ltd., $1000
• Aug 19, 1931, to Gidley Boat Co Ltd., $1075
  
• August 9, 1938, to Bank of Toronto
  

The checks to the Gidley Boat Co are pictured in "From Kitty Hawk to KittyHawk, Orville Wright's Live on Georgian Bay in Canada" by Guy R. Johnstone. Orville wrote these while at Lambert Island. It is likely many other checks written while at Lambert Island are in Orville's hand, and I'll update this information as I perform further research.

Banks utilized by the Wright Brothers:

Checks dated 1897 through 1918 will be from Winters National Bank. The brothers had an account with Farmers and Merchants Bank, but as I understand it, they wrote very few checks with Farmers, with first on April 4, 1910, and last on October 26, 1912. From 1918 through 1930, Orville had accounts with Fourth National Bank Of Dayton Ohio and City National Bank (& Trust Company). From 1930 through 1948, Orville had accounts with Union Trust Company and Winters National Bank & Trust Company. If your check is not from one of these institutions within these time periods, you do not possess a genuine Wright Brother check. 

 

Collectors beware of non-genuine Wright Brother checks:

Check offered for bid March 2, 2022 with a given estimated value of $3000-$4000. Orville Wright did not have an account with The Dayton Savings & Trust Co. The body of the check is not in any familiar hand; not Mabel Beck's, not Lorin Wright's, not Orville Wright's. The signature is not in the hand of Orville Wright though it was written to appear as such. The written date is June 15, 1924, but the stamped paid date is June 17, 1921. Yet this check was provided with a certificate of authenticity (buyers need to research the reputation of the COA company). Even if had been genuine, the value would have been in the range of $350-$850, not $3000-$4000, and unfortunately did sell for $1100.

State Bank of Pasadena check offered by auction April of 2023. The body of the check is not in any familiar hand; not Mabel Beck's, not Lorin Wright's, not Orville Wright's. The signature is not in the hand of Orville Wright, and is one of the worst attempts of duplicating his signature I've seen. Orville did not have an account with the State Bank of Pasadena. Buyers beware.

Collectors beware of reproduction Wright Brother checks:

Reproduction checks are offered in the price range of $15 to $90, and are generally advertised as reproductions. I have seen, however, the sale of a reproduction check presented as a genuine check. Be aware these checks continue to be produced, and are simply printed copies of original checks, offered as an affordable alternative collectable item. 

Cut Signatures:

I do not understand the interest in cut signatures. Why would cutting Orville Wright's signature out of the check (which in the process destroys the document), be preferable to simply displaying the entire check, complete with date and Bank of issue? 

Auctioned on E-bay, this "authentic signature" attracted the interest of at least 8 different bidders, with winning bid of $765 on October 29, 2023. Full complete checks in Orville Wright's hand can be obtained for less than this price!

 

Examples of Wright Brother Checks of interest:

Not everything is necessarily as it seems. This check is dated December 31, 1901, and was sold as such by RR Auctions in April of 2018. It is in fact a 1910 check, as Lorin Wright had a moment of dyslexia, and reversed the numbers. Lorin would have signed the check as Wright Cycle Co. if this had been a 1901 check. Further, the style of the Winters National Bank check dates to the 1910's, not the early 1900's. 

December 31, 1910 check completely in the hand of Lorin Wright, incorrectly dated as 1901. Sold for $270, April 11, 2018, Courtesy of RR Auctions.

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December 31, 1904 check written to Charles Taylor, the Wright Brother's mechanic, entirely in the hand of Orville Wright, signed "Wright Cycle Co." with Orville Wright's initials. 

Entirely in Orville Wright's hand, and signed Wright Cycle Co., an early dated check ending the year 1904. With the lessons learned from the 1904 Huffman Prairie experiments, the entire 1905 season lay ahead for Wilbur, Orville, and Charlie,  with the eventuality of the world's first practical aeroplane.

 

Classic C. E. Taylor signature. From Author's collection.

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 March 28, 1908 check written to Chas E. Taylor in the hand of Wilbur Wright, and signed Wright Brothers with Wilbur's initials below.

Sold for $1548, June 18, 2008, Courtesy of RR Auctions.

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May 8, 1909 check written to Charlie Taylor entirely in the hand of Lorin Wright, and signed Wright-Bros.. Lorin would sometimes include his initials, but he does not in this case. The Classic C. E. Taylor signature adorns the rear of the check. 

Check to Charley Taylor for the amount of $18, the same amount he received in 1904. Time for a raise? Courtesy of RR Auctions.

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 January 12, 1918 check to Chas. Taylor in the hand of Mabel Beck, and signed Orville Wright by Lorin, with his initial L under the signature. 

Sold on E-bay June 12, 2022 for $350.

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January 27, 1908 check written to James Allen, Chief Signal Officer for $2500, in someone else's hand and signed "Wright Brothers" by Wilbur Wright with his initials. From The Bishop's Boys, "Landing in New York on November 22, Wilbur went straight to the Flint offices for a conference with Frank Cordley. The following day he caught a train for Washington, where he spent a rainy weekend waiting for the government offices to open on Monday. General William Crozier, senior officer of the Board; General James Allen, Chief Signal Officer, and Major Lawson M. Fuller met with him on the morning of November 25. For the first time, Wilbur recognized that the Army was seriously interested in his invention. And the Wright's were ready.............The brothers spent the next few weeks corresponding with the Board to ensure that they understood all the requirements. On January 27, 1908, they submitted their formal proposal to sell a flying machine as described in the circular for $25,000. It was the only bid that the Board expected to receive. In fact, there were forty-one proposals when the competition closed on February 1." (Ch 25, pg346-348)

Bond payment by Wright Brothers for sale of first aeroplane to the United States Army. Sold by International Autograph Auctions Europe December 10, 2016 for $9835. Resold by Alexander Historical Auctions December 9, 2021 for $42,500!

 

Orville Wright's handwriting on rear of check, signed Wright Brothers, with Orville's initials.

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March 28, 1910 check written to Edmund S Lorenz for $11,500, in the hand of Wilbur Wright, signed Wright Brothers with Wilbur's initials. From "What Dreams We Have", "the brothers purchased property in Dayton View at the intersection of Salem Avenue and Harvard Boulevard on March 28, 1910. Katharine felt this lot was too close to the center of the city, and she suggested purchasing property on a wooded lot. Wilbur and Orville finally agreed to a different location., and in February 1912 they purchased a seventeen-acre lot in the town of Oakwood, just south of Dayton. The site was located at the intersection of Park Drive and Harmon Avenue on a wooded hill." (Ch 9, page 170)

 

Sold by Bloomsbury Auctions December 1, 2016 for $1598. In the hand of Wilbur Wright for the purchase of property at Salem Avenue and Harvard Boulevard.

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January 26, 1911 check stamped The Wright Company, and signed by both Wilbur and Orville Wright to the B. F. Goodrich Company. Auctioned by RR Auctions January 10, 2024. Indicated by RR Auctions as filled out "in another hand", and signed by both brothers.

Sold for $14,949.

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October 14, 1915 check written to The Wright Company for $539.04, completely in the hand of Orville Wright, with his signature. The rear of the check is endorsed, "The Wright Company Mabel Beck", in Orville's secretary Mabel's hand. This check was written at the time of the sale of The Wright Company by Orville. "In the end, Orville proved to be a very successful businessman. His handling of the negotiations for the sale was masterful. The final agreement with a group of New York financiers was signed on October 15, 1915. Although the full amount of the purchase price was not disclosed, the New York Times reported that Orville received roughly $1.5 million, plus an additional $25,000 for his services as chief consulting engineer during the first year of the new company's operation". (The Bishop Boys, Ch 33, pg 466) The Dayton Daily News reported on October 13th of the sale, indicating "All the negotiations for the purchase of the Wright plant was completed in New York and it is understood that the stock will be transferred within a day or two." 

 

October 14, 1915 Check in Orville Wright's hand to The Wright Company; his last day of ownership. From Author's collection.

 

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 August 15, 1922 check written completely in Orville's hand to Vilhjalmur Stefansson in the amount of $3000, endorsed by VS. This check was originally available through HistoryForSale.com, Gallery of History. Known as "Stef" to Katharine and Orville, Stef had sought financial assistance to hire a ship to rescue the five person settlement associated with the 1921 Wrangel Island expedition, and this check represents the Wright's portion. When a ship finally arrived in 1923, of the five, there was only one survivor. In a letter dated February 26, 1924, Katharine wrote to Stef concerning her disappointment of his handling of the $3000 loan. She wrote, 

"...we never discussed whether we could or couldn't give the money. It was hard to hear you say at N.Y. that you were rather glad the ship didn't get through! Orv had it written on his books as a loss and we cut off some unnecessary but very pleasant expenses to put the money back into our capital again. But we never regretted any of it as long as we thought it had been spent to try to get a ship to Wrangell. I could do without anything, almost, gladly, to save you from trouble..... But to find out over a year later, in an unexpected way- not from you at all- that our money hadn't gone for what we thought and that what the Canadian government gave was more than enough for the ship- And Griff had thrown over a thousand more of ours into the mess of unmanaged affairs!" 

(The 8 page letter from the Author's collection, Katharine Wright archive).(1)

Check completely in Orville Wright's hand to Vilhjalmur Stefansson, intended to help finance rescue of the five from the Wrangel Island Expedition. Image courtesy of HistoryForSale.com. Sold for $407 on October 23, 2023. Then offered for sale by the purchaser on E-bay for several thousand, and then price lowered to $1499. Would have been a nice addition to my collection but beyond my budget for now.

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October 22, 1947 check written to Miami Valley Hospital for $119.15. From "The Bishop's Boys", Orville Wright "suffered his first heart attack on October 10, 1947, while running up the front steps of the main NCR building to keep an appointment. Hospitalized for four days, he spent his time teasing the nurse and working out a means to improve the efficiency and comfort of the oxygen tents. He was released on October 14, after being cautioned to slow down." (Ch 37, pg 523-4)

In the hand of his secretary Mabel Beck, and signed by Orville Wright to cover the expenses of his hospital stay after suffering his first heart attack. Orville did not believe in insurance, and so covered this exorbitant $119.15 expense of his four day hospital stay from his own funds. From Author's collection.

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I plan to visit the Wright Brother Archives at Wright State University, and will add to this post my findings. Of interest are the financial records in MS-1 Part 2 Manuscripts Series 3, including cancelled checks from 1814-1935,  Winters Bank, Fourth National, City Bank, and Union Trust records. (2024, and I have yet to follow up on the WSU research; will eventually get to it.)

 

 

Copyright 2022- Getting the Story Wright

Notes:

1. For more on the Wrangle Island Expedition, see the National Park Service account-

Ada Blackjack: Stranded on Wrangel Island

 

For related posts:

"Collecting Historical Items associated with the Wright Brothers"
 

"Value of Historical Collectables associated with the Wright Brothers"

"Buyer Beware When Collecting Wright Brother Items"
 

Index of Topics 

The Missing Milton Wright to Grace Frazier Letters

March 2024 update- The majority of the Milton Wright archive has been found! 27 months had passed since the Bonhams auction, when a phone call was received with the news of the discovery of the letters in New York. More on this eventually. Two letters remain missing. One likely dated May 9, 1913. The following post was published two years ago and updates have and will continue to be added:

The Milton Wright to Grand niece Grace Frazier letters- 1914 image of Milton Wright courtesy of Wright State University Collections and Archives. Grace Frazier photo from author's archives.

An archive of 10 typed and 26 handwritten letters written by Milton Wright, father of Wilbur and Orville Wright, addressed to his grandniece Grace Frazier is unfortunately currently missing.  These letters were written between March 7, 1909 and August 14, 1913. One of the handwritten letters is in my possession, dated December 22, 1911. The remaining 35 letters have vanished. These letters were purchased by me on November 3rd of 2021 and remain under my ownership. Unfortunately, they were misplaced by Bonhams Auction House in California from where I purchased them prior to shipping. The shipping costs by Bonhams was quoted at $380.50; this for a small box of photos and letters. I chose to go with one of their 3rd party shippers, UPS store in Los Angeles. When I received the package of the family archive of photos and other family items by UPS, the Milton Wright letters were not included. The UPS store manager claimed the letters were not included in the box they picked up at Bonhams. Bonhams had assumed they were simply misplaced somewhere at the Bonhams site and will eventually be located. A search occurred but was unsuccessful. The letters were in a separate large envelope and became separated from the boxed archive of family letters and photographs. Their whereabouts remain a mystery. They did offer to provide a refund, but I chose to keep the remainder of the archive and wait for the letters to be found. This archive is a window into the lives of Milton Wright's brother Harvey Wright's extended family and relatives.

One of the 36 letters was included in the shipped archive, Milton Wright's letter to his grand-niece Grace Frazier, dated December 22, 1911. "Wilbur, Orville, and Katharine act as if they were a family. They seem to please one another." (1)

The missing letters include detailed news of the Brother's tour of France and their acceptance of the Legion of Honor. They tell of their sale of flying machines to Italy, France, and the US Government, and include descriptions of their successes around the Globe. The letters make mention of the various lawsuits against Glenn Curtiss and others for copyright infringement. And on a very personal level, they include Milton's account of his son Wilbur's battle with typhoid fever, with the eventual news of his death. 

Louella Grace Frazier, Milton's grand niece, granddaughter of Milton's brother Harvey Wright,  married Earl Hamilton Payne and they had twin daughters Mary and Elizabeth, but Mary died at 4 months. Grace's mother Emma Wright Frazier, died in 1910. Grace's father Wm Edward Frazier, died in 1921. Grace died in 1938, and her husband died in 1956. The archive of the Milton Wright letters likely passed on to their daughter Elizabeth in 1956, who kept them till her death in 2000. The archive of family letters and photographs were sold at auction in 2005. I believe the archive, remaining unknown to Wright historians, was kept in storage until it was again offered at auction in November of 2021, at which time I purchased these unstudied letters. For the letters to have been lost at this point is a tragedy, but my continued prayer is that they will eventually surface.  

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"Worshipers in order to be prepared for approaching God in prayer, must feel their need of him. Without this they are in their hearts at variance with truth; for their real need is great. Nor can they pray in sincerity unless they realize their need of assistance....Christians in order to properly estimate the privilege of prayer must have faith in God; not merely that he can and does answer prayer, but that he is full of love, pity, and willingness to succor his children. It seems strange that it should be so, but it is evident that many regard God as a great being, above them so high, and so apart from their state of existence, that he regards with indifference their wants, griefs, and sufferings....Some have vague ideas of the willingness of God to do us good, but no proper idea of the necessity of prayer.....Perseverance in prayer is the test of its reality. What people care but little about they soon forget. Mere mention does not indicate earnest desire, nor does it intensify it. Persevering prayer is dwelling at the foot of the throne and imbibing its holy atmosphere.....If we ask according to God's will, we know he hears us; and if we know that he hears us, we know that our petitions are granted...The prayer of faith never fails unless we fail to await its answer. God may not grant it in the same form we ask, but he will do the best for us in the case....God answers every true prayer and if we can now only accept this truth by faith, we shall see its demonstration in eternity, when we shall see as we are seen and know as we are known." Milton Wright, May 29, 1872, Religious Telescope.(6)

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Harvey Wright, Milton's brother, married Delilah Stephen in December of 1843. Harvey and Delilah had eleven children. Many of the extended family lived in Indiana, in Center Township of Rush County, in the town of Mays, in Connersville, in Knightstown, and in Indianapolis.  The following lists Harvey and Delilah's children in birth order, with first indent listing grandchildren, and second indent listing great-grandchildren, and third indent great-great-grandchildren. I have not listed all the great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Harvey and Delilah's eleven children were all first cousins to Wilbur, Orville, Katharine, Lorin, and Reuchlin. Harvey and Delilah's grandchildren were their first cousins once removed, and Harvey and Delilah's great-grandchildren were their first cousins twice removed and so forth.

Photo is not identified, but likely Delilah Stephen Wright around 1867, 40 years of age. Likeness compared to photo of Delilah within Wright State University Special Collections and Archives, Harvey Wright family photographs, Box 27, File 7, Photo 14. File 7, Photo 21 & 22 show Delilah at age 73, and her face is much fuller in later life. (1)

 

Delilah Stephen Wright, Courtesy of Wright State Collections and Archives, Photo 14.

Harvey Wright 1820-1906 / Delilah Stephen 1827-1913

Children:

Drusilla Wright 1845-1923 / John Howard McKee 1836-1905

                Florence “Flora” L. McKee 1864-1938 / Thomas O. Wilhelm 1859-1933

                                Cora Edith Wilhelm 1885-1970 / John Frederick Bullen 1882-1966

                                                Warren Thomas Bullen 1907-1985 / Vivian Melba Bradway 1909-1988

                                                Gilbert V. Bullen 1913-

                                Estella Grace Wilhelm 1891-1969 / Omer Francis McDaniel 1887-1961

                Frances “Gusta” Augusta “Fannie” McKee 1866-1939 / Thomas B Scott 1854-

                                 Alma Florence Scott 1883-1965 / Alfred Morton Fry 1878-1959

                                                 Lois Maria Fry 1900-

                                                 Beatrice Augusta Fry 1906-1970 / Ross Wyaman Drysdale 1902-1997

                Frances and Thomas divorced, and Frances married John D. Whitten in 1890

Thomas Wright 1848-1915 / Mary Elizabeth Vandal 1849-1911

                Effie H. Wright 1868-1954 / Samuel David Kirkpatrick 1868-1954

                                Roscoe T. Kirkpatrick 1891-1897

                                Russell Beattie Kirkpatrick 1893-1970

                Cora F. Wright 1870-1950 / Otto Parvin Dillon M.D. 1869-1908

George Harvey Wright M.D. 1850-1903 (died of typhoid) / Sarah Margaret McBride 1853-1935

                Roland Fay Wright 1872-1956 / Ella K. Hendricks 1873-1951

                Luella E. “Lulu” Wright 1873- / Frederick T. Beeler

                Joseph Harvey Wright 1876-1946 / Edna Anna Bevelhimer 1877-1975

                Walter Clarence Wright 1878-1941 / Bertha Amy Davidson 1880-1962

                Daniel Voorhees “Dan” Wright 1890-1955 / Cendella A. Corwin 1893-1969

Francis Ann Wright 1852-1921 / Jabez R. Rhodes 1842-1919

                Clara May Rhodes 1875-1964 / Bert Benjamin Benner 1874-1973

                Estella Grace “Stella” Rhodes 1878-1942

Daniel Erasmus Wright 1854-1892 (died of grip) / Florella J. McBride 1859-

John Wright 1856-1901 / Sena A. Kirkpatrick 1866-1918

                Della Hazel Wright 1887-1922 / Everett McFarland 1876-1975

                                Frances Irene McFarland 1919-1979 / Harmel

                                Hellen L. McFarland 1920-

Emma Jane Wright 1858-1910 / William Edward Frazier 1854-1921

                Luella Grace Frazier 1883-1938 / Earl Hamilton Payne 1871-1956

                                Mary Payne Jan 1914-May 1914

                                Elizabeth Payne 1914-2000 / Harry LeVerne Whitlock 1906-1984

Joseph Alvin Wright 1860-1887 / Viola Eva Oldham 1864-

                Aaron Earl Wright 1885-1926 / Ethel M. Reeves 1889-1964

                Jessie Pearl Wright 1887-1949 / Donald Woods Hufferd 1886-1951

Rhoda C. Wright 1866-1899 (died of typhoid) / Martin Luther Newhouse 1868-1945

Eva Etta Wright 1869-1914 / Charles Gray 1870-1939

Luella Grace “Gracie” Wright 1872-1893 (died of typhoid)

 

Harvey Wright's signature, Sexton , Ind. from his ledger.(10)

 

Milton wrote in his diary numerous times of visits with Harvey and his extended family.

May 19, 1879 "Went to cars to Rushville. Harvey Wright took me to his house. His children: Drusilla McKee, Thomas, George, Francis, Dan, John, Emma, Joseph A., Rhoda, Eva, Gracie. Grand Children: Flora & Gusta McKee, etc. Spent evening & night at John McKee's, John having taken me in his buggy."(2) 

 

Center Township, Rush County Indiana, 1879 map published by J. H. Beers. Blue star to south shows property of Harvey Wright. To the north, two adjacent properties of Thomas Wright are highlighted with a blue star. Other related family surnames are evident, such as Kirkpatrick, McBride, Newhouse, Dillon, Rhodes, Oldham, etc.

 

 

Modern aerial view of former locations of Harvey Wright's farm, Center Township, Indiana. Thomas Wright's farm was to the north. Little Blue River cemetery can be seen at the southern mid border of Harvey's farm, and the Little Blue River passing through his property. Wilbur and Orville played here as boys on visits to their Uncle Harvey's farm.

May 20, 1879 "Went to Jabez Rhoad's,(12) Children: Clara (4 ys) Stella (9 mos.). Took supper at Thomas Wright's. His daughters: Effie & Cora. Went on to Harvey's. Drusilla McKee called awhile." (Harvey's daughter Francis had married Jabez Rhodes in 1873, and their daughters were Stella and Clara. Harvey's son Thomas had married Mary E. Vandal in 1868. Harvey's daughter Drusilla had married John Howard McKee in 1863. Drusilla and John's daughter Flora married Thomas O. Wilhelm around 1882. Flora and Thomas's daughters Cora and Estella are noted in Harvey Wright's Ledger.)

Milton Wright's brother Harvey lived to see many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Here he lists two great-granddaughters born to his daughter Drucilla's daughter Flora.(10)

Harvey and Delilah's seventh child, Emma Jane Wright, married William Edward Frazier in 1881, and William and Emma's daughter Luella Grace was born in October of 1883. Luella preferred her middle name, and so was known as Grace. She married Earl Hamilton Payne in 1916. The archive in my possession includes 75 family photos, many of which I will share in this post. Some of the photos have identifying names written on them, while most do not. Through extensive research, I've identified many of these photos based on location of the photographic studios, location of the family units, comparison to photos in the Wright State University Special Collections and Archives, clues in family letters, clues in news accounts from the period, age of the photos themselves compared to age of the individuals, and common sense to identify each. I am more certain of the accuracy of the identification of specific photos than others in the collection. Any input from the Wright, Frazier, Huston, and other extended family members would be appreciated.

 

Luella Grace Frazier at right, with Helen Huston (left) and Alice Merrifield (center). Helen was daughter of James and Ruth Amelia Huston. James was brother to William Nelson Huston. William and Nancy Huston's daughter was Anna Maria Huston, who married Harry Oliver Frazier, who was Grace Frazier's Uncle. Alice Merrifield's mother was Harriet Huston Merrifield, who was William Nelson Huston's sister. Anna Maria's husband was Grace's Uncle on Grace's Father's side. Milton Wright was Grace's Grand Uncle on her Mother's side. Alice and Helen were first cousins to Grace's Uncle Harry's wife Anna, Graces Aunt-in-law. (1) (21)

 

Grace & Elizabeth Payne, Grand niece, and Great Grand niece of Milton Wright. Elizabeth was born in January of 1914.(1)

 

Elizabeth Payne, daughter of Grace Frazier and Earl Payne, great-grand daughter of Harvey Wright. Picture was taken in Burlington, Vt., The Bixby Studio. Grace and Earl had moved from Rushville Indiana to Burlington Vermont around 1914/15, and then back to Rushville by 1920.(1)

 

Grace Frazier's father William Edward Frazier was the son of Robert Frazier (1822-1907), and Rebecca Rauxana Clough. (1832-1873). Robert and Rebecca had nine children. The following lists their children in birth order, with first indent listing grandchildren, and second indent listing great-grandchildren. Grace's Uncle Harry Oliver Frazier married Anna Maria Huston. Anna's parents John Huston and Mary Ann Miller had 10 children. Their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are also listed below.

Robert Frazier 1822-1907 / Rebecca Rauxana Clough 1832-1873

Children:

Mary Ellen Frazier 1850-1922 / John Marion Wilkinson 1850-1898 /(Dover, Del; Phil. Penn.)

                Anna Lavinia Wilkinson 1880-1951 / John Levi Dukes 1877-1977

                William Christopher Wilkinson 1883-1969 / Edith Celia Adams 1884-1979

Emma Barzetta Frazier 1851-1925 / James T Green 1842-1900

                Thomas Frazier Green 1876-1924

                James Aine Green 1878-1883

                Milton Clough Green 1881-1938

                Robert Earl Green 1885-1885

                Eva Burzetta Green 1892-1892

                Elizabeth Green 1894-1895

                Ethel Green -1900

William “Edward” Frazier 1854-1921 / Emma Jane Wright 1858-1910

                Luella Grace Frazier 1883-1938 / Earl Hamilton Payne 1872-1956

                                Mary Payne Jan 1914- May 1914

                                Elizabeth Payne 1914-2000 / Harry LeVerne Whitlock 1906-1984

Calvin Rust Frazier 1857-1907 / Rachel Steele 1861-1945 (Delaware; Marydel, Md)

                Edith Steele Frazier 1887-1955

Robert Emmett Frazier 1859-1926 / Mary A Twining 1868-1951

                Harry Emmett Frazier 1886-1926

                Burton Joseph Frazier 1888-1955

Henry A. Frazier abt.1862- before 1870 (Confirmation needed, doesn't appear in all family trees)

James Augustus Frazier 1862-1940 / Harriet Amanda Smith 1862-1910 /(Dover, Del.)

                Ida Smith Frazier 1886-1965 / Daniel Ezekiel Jones 1888-1963

                Mary Ethel Frazier 1888-1977 / Homer Dawson Hudson 1885-1930

                Robert Lindale Frazier 1890-1963 / Ryda Savage Frazier

James remarried December 2, 1916 to Katherine Cochrane Reed (maiden name Carter, widowed)

Harry Oliver Frazier 1865-1937 / Anna Maria Huston 1867-1922 (Monroe, Connersville, Ind)

                Roxanna Huston Frazier 1893-1965 (Alexandria, Ind)

                William Huston Clough Frazier 1895-1974 (Alexandria, Ind)

 

John Huston 1795-1860 / Mary Ann Miller 1808-1876

Children:

Margaret Jane Huston 1826-1904

William Nelson Huston 1830-1898 / Nancy McCauly 1837-1926 (Harrison, Fayette, Ind)

                Anna Maria Huston 1867-1922 / Harry Oliver Frazier 1865-1937

                                Roxana H Frazier 1893-1965

                                William Huston Clough Frazier 1895-1974

                Charlottie J (Lottie) Huston 1872-1881

                John T Huston 1874-1901

                Grace Huston -1873

                Amanda D Huston -1886

Mary Ann Huston 1831-1849

John Miller Huston 1833-1867

Thomas Huston 1835-1922

James M Huston 1836-1931 / Ruth Amelia Murray 1837-1875 (Posey, Connersville Ind)

                Frances Murray Huston 1868-

                Mary Helen Huston 1872-1923

                Charles Murray Huston

James Huston second wife / Mary Ann Koogler

                Willie K Huston

Harriet B Huston 1839-1931 / Samuel S Merrifield 1838-1918 (Posey, Harrison, Connersville, Ind)

                Robert Merrifield 1867-1892

                Alice G. Merrifield 1870-1912

                Charles W Merrifield 1878-1879

Sarah “Ellen” Huston 1842-1895 / Charles Mount (Connersville, Ind)

                James C Mount 1865-1940

                Mary “Mazie” Mount 1868-

                Howard Mount 1881-

Robert Miller Huston 1845-1912 / Ella “Nellie” Mason 1846- (Posey, Ind / Paola, Miami, Kansas)

                John M Huston 1871-

                Charles M Huston 1877-

                Edith H Huston 1882-

                Nannie Huston 1885-

 

Tin types of William Nelson Huston and wife Nancy McCauly, likely dating to 1861, the year they married. Photos to far right likely taken the same day. Photography studio was J. P. Ball at 30 West 4th Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. As indicated on Cincinnati.com,  "J. P. Ball was a renowned photographer in the early days of the profession. His studio and gallery in Cincinnati were hailed as the finest in the West during the pre-Civil War era. He also used his stature to help expose the atrocities of slavery. And he was Black." J. P. Ball operated out of Cincinnati from 1851-1871. (1)

Upper left and upper middle are photos of William Nelson Huston and wife Nancy McCauly Huston, perhaps around 1890. Their son John is at upper right, perhaps around 1885. Their daughter Anna Maria's photo is at lower left. Anna's husband Rev. Harry Oliver Frazier is seen at lower center. Anna and Harry's son and daughter are seen at lower right, William Huston Clough Frazier and Roxanna H. Frazier, around 1900. The marriage of Anna and Harry brought the two family lines of Huston's and Frazier's together. Grace Frazier visited her Uncle Harry and Aunt Anna often. Grace and her cousin Roxanna visited each other throughout their adult years.(1)

 

Milton recorded a number of visits with the Frazier's in his diary entries. Grace's father William went by his middle name Edward.

Wednesday, April 21, 1886 "Wrote letters & postals. Dined at Milligan's. Went at 2:35 to Hamilton Station, now Sexton. Harvey meets me, and I go out to his house 2 1/4 miles north-west. Called at Ed. Frazier's a half-mile north of Harvey Wright's."

 

Photo most likely of William Edward Frazier, husband of Emma Jane Wright (Frazier) and father of Luella Grace Frazier (Payne). The photo is not identified, so any confirmation from descendants would be appreciated. Ed Frazier died in 1921, 66 years old. (23)

 

Saturday, August 15, 1891 "Spend forenoon in visiting at numerous relatives. Effa Kirkpatrick's, Drucilla McKee's, Emma Frazier's, Eva Wright's, Dan Wright's, John Wright's, Frances Rhoads. Dined at Harvey W's.....called on Thos. Wright's...." (Eva not yet married to Charley Gray, Dan married Florella McBride, John married Sena Kirkpatrick. Thomas married Mary Elizabeth Vandal, and their daughters were Effie and Cora. Cora married Otto Parvin Dillon in 1897. Effie married Samuel Kirkpatrick in 1888, and per the 1910 Census, were neighbors of Wm Edward, Emma, and Grace Frazier.)

Harvey and Delilah's son Daniel died of grippe in January of 1892, age of 37.(17)

Friday, November 25, 1892 "Go on train to Ogden. Train over two hours late. Harvey Wright takes me to their house 6 m. South. Stay there till morning. Gusta Scott, Emma Frazier, John & Drucilla McKee there."

Friday, June 9, 1893 "Call at Ed. Frazier's, John McKee's, D. Kirk's, and Thos. Wright's. Go in afternoon with Harvey to Knightstown......"

Most likely Grace Frazier. Grace was born in 1883. Photo to the left perhaps dates to 1889. Photo to right is dated December of 1895. (1)

Harvey and Delilah's youngest daughter died at the age of 21 of typhoid, on September 3, 1893. Her name was Luella Grace Wright, Grace Frasier's namesake.(16)

Luella Grace Wright, courtesy of Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.

 

Wednesday, December 27, 1893 "...go thence to Hay's Station where Thomas, Jabez Rhoads, & Ed. Frazier meet me & take me to Harvey Wright's Golden Wedding."

Tuesday, July 30, 1895 "At home. Harvey Wright, my brother, and his wife and his granddaughter, Stella Rhoads came, about 7:00, aftn."

Harvey Wright's Ledger 1895-1898, entry for July 30th 1895 expenses, trip to Dayton at $6.45, and ten cents for Baggage, 75 cents for Dinner, ten cents for Peaches. The cost for train travel for Harvey, Deliliah, and Stella from Mays Indiana to Dayton Ohio. (10)

Wednesday, July 31, 1895 "Mrs. S. Shisler came in the forenoon and staid till towards evening. The women rode out in a rig to the Soldiers Home and about the city. Harvey rode out to the East End on the St. cars; came back & called to see Lorin; looked at the Prospective Van Cleve Park; returned home.

Thursday, August 1, 1895 "Harvey & folks went on 5:00 m. train...."  

Wednesday, July 22, 1896 "Go to 8:58 tr. to Richmond. Dine at D. K. Zeller's. Harvey Wright meets me at Dunreith and takes me via Mays, to his house. Delilah has some rheumatism."

Thursday, July 23, 1896 "Call an hour at Sam'l Kirkpatrick's. Dine at John McKee's. Thos. Whilhelm & Florence and Cora 12, and .......there also. Aftn, we went to Preston Scott's. Children Alma & ......Eve'n called an hour at Luther Milhouse's. Lodge at Harvey's. Dr. Geo. Wright comes at 8:00, from his home at Indianapolis."

Friday, July 24, 1896 "Chas. Gray takes myself & Geo. Wright to Knightstown. On the way, we stop abt 40 min. at Thos. Wright's and 30 min. at Jabez Rhoads....."

Sunday, June 13, 1897 "Go to Ellis Wright's & remain there till about 4:00 Aftn. Ed Frazier & family came about 10:00 to Ellis's, and I went with them at 4:00 via Wm. Reeder's to Robert's....." (Ellis Wright was Milton's brother Rev. William W. Wright's son. William died in 1868.)

Saturday, July 22, 1899 "...Go on electric car to Alexandria. Dine at Ed. Frazier's..."

Tuesday, August 8, 1899 "Katharine and Orville and others return from camping near Shoup's Mill on Stillwater......My niece, Rhoda Newhouse died to-day."  (Harvey and Delilah's daughter Rhoda (Mrs. Luther Newhouse) died of typhoid at the age of 32.) (18)

Tuesday, October 16, 1900 "....went on 5:15 car to Alexandria, and thence afoot and by caught up conveyance to Ed. Frazier's, 2 1/2 miles east, and lodged there."

Wednesday, October 17, 1900 "I gave Grace (Ed. and Emma's only daughter) much of the genealogy of the family, which she wrote down in a book. She took me, after dinner, to John W. Broyles' in Alexandria, where I found only their two girls, Laura and Lizzie, at home...."

 

Grace Frazier's Uncle Rev. Harry Oliver Frazier, wife Anna Maria Huston Frazier, daughter Roxanna Huston Frazier, and son William Huston Clough Frazier. Photo likely of residence in Monroe, Madison, Indiana, around 1900. (1)

 

Thursday, March 26, 1903 "Harvey & his wife Delila took me to John McKee's, but finding no one at home, they took me to his son Thomas's where we dined and called at Ed. Frazier's, three miles north, whose wife is Harvey's daughter, Emma. We returned to Harvey's. Charley Gray & Eva (Harvey's daughter) live with Harvey & Delila."

Wednesday, September 9, 1903 "...Harvey is 83 years old. (Dr. George Wright, my nephew, died this morning, in Indianapolis, of typhoid fever, after five day's sickness.) (He was Harvey's Son.) 

Harvey and Delilah were married December 27, 1843. At their 60th wedding anniversary in 1903, Harvey shared the following with Delilah- 

"In God's mercy let us see, The year nineteen hundred and three, Which is the last of sixty years, That we have shared their joys and tears. Some trying griefs have made us sad, Yet gracious blessings made us glad, So we can say now after all, These griefs should seem to us quite small. For yet with health and plenty crowned, While countless blessings still surround- Of eleven children yet there is five And both of us are still alive. With fifteen children's children blest, While they of eighteen are possessed, And one great great granddaughter, too, Is what we find when we review, And look in wonder that we should Enjoy so much a gracious share, Of mercy's kind preserving care. Which we will need on to the last When December twenty-seventh is past. And should our years be any more, Will hope for mercy as before. This is the hope that gives delight To Harvey and Delilah Wright." (25)

Wednesday, February 17, 1904 "I went on traction road to Indianapolis, called at Fay Wright's office at 404 S. Meridian St. Went to Rushville. Called at Dr. G.P. Dillon's, & Thomas Wright takes me to Harvey's, my brother's, 8 miles north."

Thursday, February 18, 1904 "John & Drusilla McKee, Jabez & Frances Rhoads, Emma and Grace Frazer, & Effie & David Kirkpatrick came in to see me, and spent several hours."

Friday, March 10, 1905 "I called at Saml. Kirkpatrick's, & M. Thomas's in the forenoon & as Sena Wright's & Thos. Wright's in the evening. Effie Kirkpatrick & her sisterinlaw & Gusta (Mc) dined with us & Frances Rhoads & Emma Frazier & Grace came afternoon."

Monday, August 7, 1905 "Called at Thomas Wright's, Sena Wright's, Mr. Thomas's, and dined at Harvey's. I went with David Kirkpatrick's to Knightstown and went home on traction cars, arr. at 8:00. See Tom. Huston at Knightstown. Emma & Grace Frazier came." (Rev. Harry Oliver Frazier's wife Anna Maria Huston's brother was Thomas Huston).

Wednesday, October 18, 1905 "Jabez takes (after visit to Ed. Frazier's) to Harvey Wright's & to S. Blue River Church to Susan Newhouse's funeral, age 90. Hall pr. it. Day very rainy. I dine, sup & lodge at Harvey's. Drusilla, Florence & Cora & Stella and Whitton & Gusta call." (Gusta had divorced Thomas Scott due to cruel treatment, and married John Whitten in 1890). (19)

Tuesday, January 9, 1906 "I go on 9:45 tr. via Richmond and New Castle to Mays. I called on Berth Benner's and Fry's. Frances took me to Harvey Wright's. I gave books to Benner's boys and Lois Fry. I sup and lodge at Harvey's."

Wednesday, January 10, 1906 "I remain at Harvey's. T. Wilhelm and Florence and Cora called; also Drusilla McKee and John Whiton and Augusta."

Thursday, January 11, 1906 "I called at Ed. Frazier's and Jabez Rhoad's, on my way to Knightstown...."

Friday, February 23, 1906 "I called an hour at Earnest Wagoner's, and went on traction to Rushville. Rode out to Harvey Wrigth's with Joey McBride. Dine, sup & lodge there. Drusilla was there, and Effie and Cora called at the gate. Harvey's cancer is painful."

Friday June 22, 1906 "Katharine started on a visit to Geneva, Ohio this forenoon. My brother Harvey Wright died about 3:00 this afternoon, and I received a telegram. His age was 85 years, 9 months and 13 days."

 

(7)

 

Saturday, June 23, 1906 "I go to 9:00 tr to Knightstown and with Ed. Frazier to his house, and after dinner to Harvey Wright's, & returned to Frazier's and supped and lodged."

Sunday, June 24, 1906 "Wrote a memorial paper. Went to Harvey's. Funeral at 2:00, at Center Church. Rev. Robert Thompson pr. at 2:30, 2d Tim. 4:7,8. I returned to Harvey's. Probably there were five or six hundred people at the funeral. (Some say 1,000)."  

In September of 1906, Wm. Ed. Frazier and family moved to the Harvey Wright farm homestead. Delilah Wright, Harvey Wright's widow (Grace Frazier's grandmother), now lived with Ed, Emma, and Grace.(11)

Yet to be confirmed, photo of Harvey Wright Farm house after his death. Possibly Ed Frazier at fence far right, and either Delilah Wright, Emma Wright, or Nancy Huston standing between two younger women. Harvey Wright died in 1906, and Ed Frazier and family moved in with Delilah that year. Emma Wright died in 1910. Delilah died in 1913. Nancy Huston, Anna Maria's mother, lived with Harry and Anna's family at some point after her husband William died in 1898. The 1910 and 1920 Census indicate her living with Harry and Anna. Harry and Anna and children visited the Harvey Wright farm often, and likely Nancy would have joined them on these visits. More study required.(1)

This photo is of the same homestead above as can be seen in the details of the fencing in the background compared to fencing in the foreground in photo above. Anna Maria and Harry Frazier are standing to the left. Photo was identified on the back as of Harry and Grace Frazier, however, the woman to the far right does not appear to be Grace Frazier. If this woman is Anna and Harry's daughter Roxanna at 18 years old, this photo dates to 1911 and Delilah Stephen Wright would still be living. For the older woman to be Emma Wright, Roxanna would need to be just 16 here, and she appears older than that. If the older woman is Nancy Huston, this picture would represent the four family members visiting Harvey Wright's farm. Their son is not pictured; perhaps he took the photo. Nancy Huston lived until 1926.(1)

Roxanna Huston Frazier, cousin of Grace Frazier (1)

1908 Map of Center Township Indiana. Note town of Mays at upper right. Blue stars indicate Delilah Wright's farm, her son Thomas Wright's farm, and her son John's widow, Sena A. Kirkpatrick Wright's farm. To southeast of Delilah's property, is Samuel David Kirkpatrick's farm. Samuel was married to Effie Wright, Thomas Wright's daughter. Jabez Rhodes property can be seen northwest of Sena Wright's.

Modern aerial view of Center Township Indiana, showing locations of from north to south, former farm locations for Sena Wright, Thomas Wright, Delilah Wright, and Samuel David Kirkpatrick. Town of Mays to the northeast. If follow Main Street, route 3, south, will take past Sexton, and directly through Rushville. Knightstown is to the northwest, and Connersville to the southeast.

Wednesday, November 7, 1906 "....Eva Gray writes me that Cora Wilhelm is married to Fred Bullen. She is a pretty girl. They were married Oct. 17th, and live near Lewisville, Indiana."

Thomas and Mary Wright's daughter Cora Dillon was visiting with them at their home in Center Township. Cora's husband Otto began his drive from Rushville around 11am that February 9, 1908 to join them, heading toward the Main street railroad crossing. "As he neared the railroad tracks, Fred A. Capp, hearing the train approaching shouted to him that he had better stop his machine.....When within a few feet of the railroad, with the fast approaching steam monster bearing down upon him, he made a heroic effort to stop the car but evidently the machine skidded on account of the icy streets. Fully realizing the peril he was in that he had to act quickly if he was to escape death, he made a desperate effort to turn the auto along-side the tracks, but instead directed it squarely in the path of the train which was upon him in another instant. His machine was lifted high into the air and completely demolished. A strange fact of the accident was that the unfortunate victim, together with the seat of the auto, alighted on the pilot (cowcatcher) of the engine and was carried to Harrison street, two blocks distant before the train was brought to a stop. The train was late and was running at a high rate of speed when the accident occurred. Mr. Capp, Will Bliss, Harvey Allen and other witnesses ran down along the track expecting to find the mangled remains of the physician and were surprised to find the victim on the front of the engine when the train was brought to a stand still. Dr. J. G. Lewis was walking along Fourth street when the train struck the automobile and hurried to the doctor's side when he was lifted from the train. He was laid upon the ground and when it was found that life was not extinct, Mrs. Denny Ryan had them carry the doctor into her home on the corner of Harrison and Fourth streets, where he died about five minutes later......Seemingly it was with a premonition of what became a reality hardly an hour prior that Dr. O. P. Dillon spoke to a fellow practitioner, Dr. C. H. Parsons, saying he had a constant fear of being run down by a train at the crossing near his house, while riding in an automobile heavily curtained and hooded..." (15) Cora and Otto had planned a trip to Europe that summer. Otto was just 38 years old at the time of his death. Cora was widowed at 37.

1908 map of Rushville, arrow at Fourth Street, beginning at Main Street and heading west to Harrison Street. Otto Dillon hit by the train at Main & Fourth, while heading north on Main.

Sunday, December 27, 1908 "Received, a letter from Grace Frazier, saying that she and Cora Dillon would come Monday. I remained at home all day. Albert H. Shearer and wife, Mrs. Sines, and others called. The company was unusually large. 

Monday, December 28, 1908 "In the afternoon, Mrs Davis received a telegram from Cora Dillon & soon after, Miss Grace and she came. All out except myself and them. Orville has a long conversation and shows his visitors pictures. Netta and Leontine came and visitors go home with them & Lorin & stay."

Reported in the Rushville Republican, December 28, 1908, "Miss L. Grace Frazier and Mrs. Cora W. Dillon are visiting their uncle, Bishop Wright, and family at Dayton, Ohio. Mrs. Dillon and Miss Frazier will have the pleasure of visiting with Orville Wright, joint inventor of the Wright aeroplane, who leaves soon for LeMans, France."

Tuesday, December 29, 1908 "I called at Lorin's at nine. The visitors go with Katharine to town, and get back to our house for dinner. They go on 1:00 Interurban to Indianapolis..."

Thursday, January 14 1909 "I arose at Ellis's went down town. I went on the cars for Knightstown. Rode across in a "bus". Found Mr. Apple who took me to Jabez Rhodes where I lodged."

Friday, January 15 1909 "Rhoads all went to Delilah's, where we dine with Drusilla, Ed. Frazier's, Samuel Kirkpatrick & wife Hazel Wright, Earl Wright & wife came in the evening & staid till bed time."

Saturday, January 16, 1909 "Went to Sena Wright's & back, to Sexton....I lodged at Frazier's. I went to Bert Benner's at May's, banker. Saw Cora and Children."

Sunday, January 17, 1909 "Dined at Thomas Wright's, with Jabez Rhoads & wife, Ed. Frazier & Emma & Aunt Delilia, & Cora Dillon. I went with Cora Dillon and Russell Kirkpatrick to Rushville & lodge. P. Myer's folks located me after two days' search."

Reported in The Daily Republican, January 19, 1909, "Rev. Milton Wright of Dayton, O., who is the guest of Mrs. Cora Dillon, North Main street this week spent the day visiting at Glenwood. He is a brother of the late Elder Harvey Wright of Center township and resembles him very much."

Grace received a card or letter from her cousin Katharine Wright in April of 1909 informing her that Katharine, Wilbur, and Orville would soon be returning to the United States from their current location in Paris.(14)

Reported in The Daily Republican, May 7, 1909, Nation To Pay Them A Tribute, "Dayton is preparing for the event of her life next month when the world famous aeroplanists, the Wright brothers will return from their trip abroad and Rush county is to share in the glory of the occasion. As boys, the Wright brothers often visited here and their father, Bishop Milton Wright, was here recently, the guest of relatives and friends. A brother of the Bishop formerly preached in Center township, Rush county. Mrs. Cora Dillon of North Main street, and Miss Grace Frazier of Center township, cousins of the Wright brothers, have received an invitation from Bishop Wright, urging that they come to Dayton on the occasion of the great demonstration for his sons. They have accepted the invitation and will be guests at the Wright home on that day. In a letter sent here the Bishop said the boys and their sister, Miss Katharine, sailed from South Hampton on May5, according to a cable he received from them and would arrive in Dayton about May 12. June the 17th and 18th will be the biggest days that Dayton ever saw...."

The Daily Republican, May 29, 1909, reported " Misses Alice Merrifield, Helen Huston, and Roxanna Frazier of Connersville are visiting Miss Grace Frazier in Center township."

As told in the Rushville Republican, June 17, 1909, Dayton Was All Wright Today, "Mrs. Cora Dillon and Miss Grace Frazier of this county, first cousins of the famous Wright brothers, went to Dayton today to attend the big Wright celebration. They will be guests of their uncle, Bishop Milton Wright, father to the world famed aeroplanists....." 

In addition to Grace and Cora attending, Cora's sister Effie Kirkpatrick and Effie's 15 year old son Russell also came to Dayton for the celebration.(13) 

 

Wright Bros. Celebration Dayton-O- June-17-18-1909 This magnificent "Court of Honor" 3 squares long cost the city $3350 to erect. Thousands of electric lights illuminated it at night- All buildings in city decorated in flags & bunting- Notice figures of women on corner pieces holding world in one hand & air-ship in the other- There were 6 of these beautiful corner pieces- This is 3rd & Main sts- Our seats (reserved) were in front of new court house, back of 4th lamp post in this picture- Grace                  Click on image for larger view (8).

Grace vacationed,  traveling to Europe June 26th of 1909 through early September. She and her mother exchanged a number of cards and letters. Emma's July 8th and August 13th letters to Grace are reproduced here in full. Emma's writing style did not include any periods. I've added periods and paragraphs for readability, and maintained her original spelling.

Thursday July 8th, 1909 letter from Grace's mother Emma Jane Frazier to Grace. (4)

 

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Thursday, July the 8th, 1909 Rushville RR9 Ind USA

"Dear Grace,

Suppose you are on land again by this time it is almost 3 PM.  hope you was well all the way and enjoyed it all. I have been getting a long pretty well have been verry busy.  we are done cutting wheat  havent comenced the hay yet.  had intended to get Stell to help me some but she is going to Indianapolis Sat for a visit.  came home from Uncle Charleys yesterday went to Cora's to day.  Mother went to Senas." (Stell refers to Emma's grand niece Estella Grace Wilhelm. Uncle Charley refers to Charles Gray, her sister Eva Wright's husband. Cora likely refers to her grand niece Cora Edith Wilhelm, Estella's sister. Mother refers to Delilah Wright, and Sena is John Wright's widow, Delilah's daughter-in-law.)

"have been alone ironed washed monday commenced rainning in the morning and rained allmost constantly till Wednesday morning.  part of the clothes stayed on the line till last evening dryed some in the house sinced and starched some of them over yesterday. I wrote you last week hope you will get it all rite I gess I have gotten all your cards and letters 12 cards 2 letters and was mity glad to get them it helped wonder fully wasent so lonesome. well Fannie Stell and William have come so will stop a while. (Fannie refers to Emma's niece, Francis Whitten. Stell again is Estella Grace Wilhelm. William may refer to William Huston Frazier, or Graces father William Edward Frazier. Perhaps someone else, as William Huston Frazier went by the name Huston, and Graces father went by Edward.)

"I'll write some more. Drusilla has been here all day has just gone home." (Drusilla Wright McKee, Emma's sister,  mother of Fannie, and grandmother of Stell.)

"I had a card from Bess she was at West Baden was haveing a great time. will enclose a piece of goods like your dress so you can cover some buttons if they wear through. Miss Webb is coming to Flora's to morrow." (Flora is Emma's niece, Florence McKee, Stell and Cora's mother.)

"John Wedau is married a lady from Richmond name was Wils. BB Benners was invited to the reception was several there. Clara guessed her at 30 said she was nice looking has too boys." (BB Benners refers to Emma's niece Clara Rhodes Benner and husband Bert Benjamin Benner.   "

"Gust Drusilla Alma and Beatris were here wednesday in afternoon." (Gust refers to Emma's niece Francis Whitten. Emma's sister Drusilla, Francis's mother. Francis's daughter Alma. And Alma's daughter Beatrice.) 

"have taken off 50 little chicks this week the little guineas all got away do not know what became of them. weasels found them I expect. havent seen Cora or Leizabeth since you went a way. Effie isn't verry well I herd her call for Dr Parsons yesterday to send here some medicine on the mail this morning. well it is another day sat morning will close up." (Leizabeth is Thomas Wright's wife, Mary Elizabeth. Cora and Effie are Thomas and Elizabeth's daughters.) 

"This time Maries (?) will put up hay to day. geas I will go up their to day. it is very warm this morning. wishing you a successful journey and a pleasant and profitable trip with Love and best wishes 

I am your Mother Emma J Frazier

hoping to hear from you before many days. the days are long when I do not hear from you" (4)

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Emma wrote July 26 to Grace, indicating that she would enclose Uncle Milton's letter as she thought Grace would like to have it before she returned home from her trip. (This July 1909 letter from Milton Wright to Grace, one of the missing 35 letters of which I hope to share one day.) In her August 13th letter, Emma mentions Grace's Uncle Harry O. Frazier and Harry's son Huston were visiting. Huston would have been 14 years old in 1909.

(The July 22, 1909 letter from Milton to Grace has been found, and is shared following Emma's letter to Grace.)

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"Rushville Indiana- Aug 13th 1909

"My Dear Grace,

I am feeling very anxious to hear from you.  Just one week today since I have had a line. have been getting too cards and a letter every week since you landed & felt very sad when I did not find any word from you this morning. have expected every morning and think sure to morrow morning will bring me word but no word yet hope you are not sick but all kinds of things present them selves to me when I do not hear but have to wait and trust and hope for the best and look for the worst and take what God sends. if any thing should happen I hope you may fall in good hands for this would be a very lonesome place without my Child. I have been counting the days till you will start back and thought of the long wait for a word from you while you were crossing the water but was not expecting this wait- may God bless you and bring you back safe is my prayer.

Harry and Huston came over Tuesday after noon and went home Thursday morning. Huston is growing so fast they went fishing did not get verry many and wasn't verry large but Huston enjoyed it and wanted to stay an other day and go fishing again but Harry thought he would go to the association at vilage creek friday." 

(The Little Blue River passed through the Harvey Wright farmstead. As mentioned earlier in this post, Harvey had died in 1906, after which Ed and Emma Frazier and their daughter Grace moved in the home with Harvey's widow Delilah. I'm assuming the fishing occurred on the property.)

"he said Uncle Sams and Hellen had got home. Aunt Hattie was real poorly when they got home but was better now and Hellen had gained. said he never saw her look so well said he thought she had gained 25 lbs."

(Emma is referring to Uncle Samuel Merrifield's family, and Hellen perhaps refers to Helen Huston, who accompanied them somewhere, Helen being friend and cousin of Alice Merrifield. Aunt Hattie refers to Harriet Huston Merrifield, Samuel's wife.)

"they visited Toms and Aunt Em."

 (Grace's Aunt Emma Frazier Green's family). 

 

"Harry said he had a letter from saying-Anna W thinks she will come home with you for a visit." 

(Anna Wilkinson, Grace's cousin, daughter of her Aunt Mary Ellen Frazier Wilkinson. Anna lived in Philadelphia. On her return trip, Grace stopped at New York and Philadelphia to visit relatives.)

 

"Carrie Moor commited suicide Saturday night by taking carbolic acid." 

(An odd matter-of-fact statement of the sad event of Carrie Moore, age 41. Carrie's father J. R. Moore had hung himself just a year prior. Suicide by drinking carbolic acid was a common means in this time period, and an unpleasant death. Carrie lived in Center Township at the home of Matthew L. McBride's family, president of the bank at Mays. She had left a letter to Mr. McBride thanking him for his kind treatment toward her, but that she was "such a sinner she was convinced God would not receive her." This was of course contrary to scripture, which teaches, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Romans 10:13) (22)

 

"the center meeting closed with 26 accessions. The Chantangua is going on your Papa and Uncle went Tues night. your Father said Bertha Hully told him she wished you would come home she wanted to see you. I haven't seen Bertha since you have been a way. well Grace hope this will reach you all rite and hope I will get a letter from you in the morning and this will be the last letter I will send you as it will be time for you to start home before another would reach you. how glad I will be when your face and course is turned home ward. they are at work on the new School building."

"Cora and Russell went to the lakes Wednesday." 

 (Thomas Wright's daughter Cora Dillon, and Thomas's grandson Russell, his daughter Effie's son).

"Aunt Sarah is visiting Aunt Elizabeth."  

 (Aunt Sarah was George Harvey Wright's widow, and Aunt Elizabeth was Thomas Wright's wife). 

 

"with Love to you and your party and hoping you are well and enjoying yourself from your Mother Mrs. W. E. Frazier" (4)

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I had initially identified these photos as John Marion Wilkinson and wife Mary Ellen Frazier Wilkinson, as they lived in Philadelphia. On the back of the first photo is written "To Harry", and I've since matched that handwriting to that of a letter written by Emma Barzetta Frazier Green to her brother Harry Frazier's wife Anna Maria. These photos therefore would be of James Green and his wife Emma Barzetta Frazier Green.  (1)

Milton Wright to Grace Frazier, July 22, 1909 (partial)

Miss Grace Frazier,

Dear Niece; 

It is some time since you were here. I may say now that Lorin's have come in to stay with me while Katharine goes a week to Washington. Milton sold his model of the Aeroplane for forty dollars, and has build another better one, which he, this afternoon, expressed to a house in Anderson, to remain a week, at $25.00. (I will write a separate post eventually on the model aeroplanes constructed by Milton Wright's grandson Milton. Matt's note.)

Reuchlin and I went to Washington the 28th of June and staid near four days. We saw the city, looked into the Smithsonian Institute saw, fish, insects, birds, animals and saw a variety sufficient to convince any rational man, that Darwin's Origin of Species originated in his own mind. (Milton owned a copy of Origin of Species in his personal library, only so that he could better refute the theory when sharing the gospel. In his diary entry of December 18, 1910, he wrote "Darwinism is nonsense". Matt's note).

In the afternoon, we saw the Wright brothers fly at Fort Myer- Thursday evening, some ten miles at one flight. Late word is that Orville, Tuesday evening, 20th, flew one hour and twenty minutes. Reuchlin reached home, much improved July 4th. We have word since that his daughter Helen (Russell) has a daughter. She lives in Florence. His Bertha, the 4th of July, outran, as usual, all the girls of her age, in the township. (Reuchlin and Lulu's children- Catharine (died young), Helen, Herbert, and Bertha. Helen's daughter Helen Louise, Milton Wright's great grand daughter. Matt's note).

I understand, by your letter in April, that you are promised a place in the Primary Grade in School. I hope your health will allow you to fill it with pleasure. I have a letter from Essenior Maud Reeve, a second cousin of yours that graduates in Fairmount Academy next year, saying that her thesis is "The Wright Brothers". She and her older sister are great for learning, and pressing forward nobly. She is a granddaughter of Essenior Reeder, your grandfather's cousin. 

But I must get my letter ready to mail. 

Much love to you all, 

Milton Wright.

From Milton's diary entries:

Sunday, October 3, 1909 .... "Curtis made a failure flight, at Governor's Island."

Monday, October 4, 1909  "Wilbur flew from Governor's Island beyond Grant's Tomb & back in safety. He had a canoe attached...."

Reported in The Daily Republican, October 12, 1909, Geraghty Pleased With Old New York, written by Tom J. Geraghty, " When Wilbur Wright first came to New York and was assembling his aeroplane on the government's private grounds, I was sent out to see him. There was an army of newspaper men there standing beyond a picket line established by the military. No one was allowed to pass the line without permission from the officer of the day and this privilege had been denied everyone by Wright who was very busy. However, after "warming up" to one of the guards I sent my card in past the lines and wrote on it "A fellow exile from the Sixth congressional district, where you were born." The surprised guard came back and said Mr. Wright would see me. And I spent the remainder of the afternoon with him and his mechanician. "If you want to hear the most profound silence you ever heard in your life, by all means, hear Wilbur Wright's"- some newspaper wag wrote. And it is the truth. He is not only reticent, but really it is painful. But when I informed him I knew Mrs. Cora Dillon, his first cousin, back in Rush county, he smiled, put down his monkey wrench and we had quite a talk. Soon I found myself tightening bolts, holding propellers in position and making myself generally useful about the place. He is surely a most interesting chap and all of New York is wild about him....." 

 

New York Times, Sunday, October 10, 1909, Wilbur Wright in Flight Over New York Bay. From Author's collection.

 

Milton Wright wrote in his 1910 diary,

Friday, March 18, 1910 "No fire needed. Wrote letters afternoon to Eva Gray, Grace Frazer and Perrila Mann. Wilbur started to Buffalo at 8:00 evening..." (The March 18th letter to Grace Frazier is included in recovered archive).

Saturday, April 30, 1910 "Weather as warm as June. Letter from Grace Frazer, who was hurt the 16th by the fast train, at Dunreith, Ind. Horace dines with us."

Cora Dillon had tragically lost her husband February 9th of 1908 when the car he was driving was hit by a train. Ironically, on April 16th 1910, Cora and her cousin Grace were in a buggy at a railroad crossing when history attempted to repeat. As reported in the news, "Thrown sixty feet, when their buggy was hit by a fast Pennsylvania train at a crossing just west of Dunreith late Saturday evening without suffering a broken bone, was the horrible experience of Mrs. Cora Dillon of this city and Miss Grace Frazier of Mays. They were considerably bruised and shaken up....It is feared....that Miss Frazier may have suffered some internal injury which will develop later. It is not certain yet that either one of the women is free from the danger of complications arising later. The two women were driving from Dunreith to the home of Mrs. Dillon's father, Thomas Wright, near Occident. They did not hear the approaching train and were not thinking of it when they crossed the railroad. Before their buggy was in the middle of the railroad they realized that they could not avoid being hit, when they saw the train swooping down upon them. The buggy and two women were hurled sixty feet and the horse was uninjured. The vehicle was almost completely demolished. A remarkable coincidence in connection with the accident is the fact that Dr. Otto P. Dillon, who was the husband of Mrs. Dillon, was killed by a C. H. & D. passenger train February 9, 1908, when he attempted to cross the railroad in his automobile." (5) Both Grace and Cora would continue to have health issues related to the accident for several months.

Milton Wright to Grace Frazier, (partial)

Dayton, Ohio, May 1, 1910,

Dear Grace:

I was from home, when your lamentable accident at Dunreith occurred, and saw nothing of it in the papers. However, Ray Stevens wrote me of it, which letter I got after I came home, April 27th. You came very near death indeed; and Cora may be harmed more than you are. Such accidents are very dangerous. Your wounds were the greatest. It was hard to avoid, as such accidents often are. Yet they ought not to occur. Our Third Street crossing at Williams is very dangerous. An alarm of fire occurred when I had gone to Station B for mail. I started to cross, and an automobile came east on the street at about forty miles an hour. I could have run before it....but it came west with all possible speed, and but for it's being switched to one side would have struck me. I did not  hear the fire alarm. I was helpless. I might have rushed across before the automobile, the only safe thing for me to do. At that crossing, every day, two lines of street cars are crossing every day, and a traction car, and automobiles are racing both ways, very often meeting at the crossing. But noboddy has been killed. (Two years earlier, Lorin Wright was hit by an auto while riding his bike on West Third Street, evening of June 19, 1908. Milton wrote in his diary, "Lorin is sore on his knees and head...is feverish and his left leg pains him. The automobilist had been drinking. The accident was not unavoidable." Matt's note.)

I am glad you escaped, and Cora. I hope you will soon recover. The scars will be temporary, as Orville's were...... (Orville, from the accident at Ft. Myer, Va., September 17, 1908. Matt's note.)

Orville is teaching men to fly, at Montgomery, Alabama.....

Milton Wright to Grace Frazier (partial)

Dayton, Ohio, June 9, 1910

Dear Grace:

I am sorry that your affliction is so severe and long extended. Your mother has her full share of sorrow. I hope she will be better soon. That you escaped with your life was a very kind providence. I regard every thing as Providential. There is a providence that rules in the world and the universe, sets up what He will, and tears down all He will. It is in every thing. This includes human effort. This effort is free under His guidance. He rewards and punishes at His pleasure, with the most exact justice and grace. We could not run His kingdom and dispense His grace. I have been from childhood convinced of His wisdom power and benevolence. Generally punishment is of His benevolence and mercy. If we could sit beside Him we should see all of His benevolence, and therefore His glory. There is no benevolence and grace any where but in Him and His doings. It is in God the Father, Jesus His Son and through His Spirit......

Probably, Wilbur and Orville will both go to the aeroplane exhibit at Indianapolis. They will be very busy there, and nothing can divert them from it. Orville is teaching men to fly in that exhibition, has risen alone some 2700 feet. He once shut off power at 2000 feet high, and glided to earth with ease and safety. This shows that, with his control of the regulation, if his engine stops, he can descent in perfect safety. He has often arisen from 1000 feet to 2100 feet with ease and descended again. Thousands of people have witnessed his flights. They are at Indianapolis all next week.

We are all in excellent health. I was out to see the flights yesterday. It was about my eighth time. Lorin and wife, girls, and Horace were there. With a smiling face Leontine is so motherly. Horace is a sinless sage. He has a hen sitting on some eggs, and is much interested in them.

 

Lorin and Ivonette Wright's children- Milton (left rear), Ivonette (left front), Leontine (right rear), and Horace (right front). Courtesy of Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.

 

Reuchlin's were well last word. He evidently thinks much of his granddaughter, about ten or eleven months old, now having just visited them. His son as tall as he, and 17, has graduated in High School, and Bertha, the brightest grandchild I have, has graduated in the Common School. She is brightest, but not the best. (Reuchlin and Lulu's children- Catharine, Helen, Herbert, and Bertha. Matt's note).

Milton and Ivonette graduated the same as Reuchlin's here. Milton is tall and good looking for one just grown.... 

Affectionately, 

M. Wright.

The December 22, 1911 letter from Milton to his grandniece Grace pictured earlier, began as follows:

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Dayton, Ohio, Dec. 22, 1911.

Dear Grace:

"I received your letter, a few days ago. It was very satisfactory, because you were particular in telling me the state of health of your grandmother. I am glad your Aunt Margaret is with you."

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Grace's grandmother, Delilah Stephen Wright, was in poor health at this time. She was widowed on June 22, 1906 when her husband Harvey (Milton's brother) died. Harvey had seven different cancers, beginning in 1900. Milton described the first and last as "The first was on the left side of his face between the eye and ear. The last was a rose cancer on his left ear, reaching before and behind, about the size of a man's hand....Probably 800 or 1000 people were at the funeral." Grace's mother, Emma Jane Wright (Milton's niece), had died June 24, 1910. Emma's brother George Harvey Wright's wife was Sarah Margaret McBride, the Aunt Margaret staying with Grace. (George H Wright had died in 1903). Milton was traveling at the time of Emma's death, arriving in Rushville, Indiana that afternoon. He wrote in his diary, "Called on Cora Dillon's and learned of Emma Frazier's death that morning of hemorrhage of the lungs. I staid at Mrs. Dillon's....". And the next day wrote, "In afternoon went to Delila Wright's with the undertaker in automobile. I lodged at Thomas Wright's. I wrote Emma's obituary. Rev. Harry Frazier and daughter were there, and many others." Cora Dillon, Milton's grand niece, was the daughter of Thomas Wright. Thomas Wright was Emma's brother. Emma's husband was William Edward Frazier, and William's brother was Rev. Harry Oliver Frazier. Harry and wife Anna Maria Huston's daughter was Roxanna.(2)

Milton's obituary to Emma Wright Frazier-

"Emma Jane Frazier, wife of William E. Frazier, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, April 2, 1958. She was married to Mr. Frazier of Dover, Delaware, Oct. 12, 1881, at her father's house in Rush county, Indiana, the same place where she died, June 24th, 1910, aged fifty-two years, two months and twenty-two days. Her life was upright from her childhood, and her industry was very apparent, sincerity, earnestness, and industry were very characteristic of her whole life. She was affectionate to her father and mother and to her brothers and sisters; and to her affectionate husband, and beloved daughter Luella Grace. She was most devoted in love to life's close, by both her husband and daughter, she was held in the highest esteem. She was the companion and counselor of Grace, her advice being held in great reverence. Indeed as a wife and mother, all that was of her, was devoted to her husband and daughter. Emma Jane was the seventh of eleven children of Rev. Harvey Wright, a very noted Primitive Baptist minister, and his wife, Delilah Wright. She, Mrs. Frazier herself has been, for over twenty years, a sincere faithful member of the church which her father served so long. Mrs. Frazier and her husband, with labor and love trod lovingly life's pathway together for twenty-eight (almost twenty-nine years) and the prayer of the Christian is that they may meet in heaven. No daughter could have been loved more than Grace was, may she have a place with her mother in the kingdom of the heavens."(3)

Possibly Emma Jane Wright Frazier, yet to be confirmed. Photo taken in Rushville, Indiana, amongst the archive of family photos obtained by Author.

 

Grace's Aunt-in-law Anna's cousin Alice Merrifield (pictured earlier with Grace and Helen) wrote to her, offering sympathy for the passing of her mother, "My dear Grace: You have not been out of our minds or conversation very many minutes since the news of your sorrow came to us; my dear girl I have longed to take you in my arms and tell you how deeply we all sympathize with you and your father. God bless and strengthen you both is our sincere prayer and in His own way lift the dark cloud from around you. I was so disappointed not to go with Helen and Ward last Saturday but that was one of my hard days. He promised to take us sometime soon again and I will certainly go if I can sit up. We wanted to be with you Sunday morning but was still unable to leave my room before noon. I would love to have seen dear Mother again, never shall we forget her great generous heart and the good times she gave us and at so much expense of her own strength. And now Grace we are worrying about you, fearing you are not situated just as you should be to improve. Just as soon as you can, get to the osteopathic treatments & stay until you are relieved. Dear girl we hope and trust you may feel the strength of One who is able and willing to bear you up in this time of need & give to you a new vision of heaven. Papa and Mamma join me in love and sympathy to you and your father and believe me as ever, Your loving cousin, Alice G. Merrifield. Connersville, Ind. June 29th, 1910" (4)

 

Samuel Merrifield's photo is at upper left. Below, from left to right, his daughter Alice, his son Robert, and son Charlie. Samuel's wife Harriet Huston was Anna Maria Frazier's aunt.(1)

 

Alice mentioned in the letter she was worried Grace was not situated just as she should be to improve. Alice was referring to the accident Grace had suffered just two months prior to her mother's death.  Alice mentioned her own issues with health in this letter, died in 1912.

Possibly Cora Dillon with Grace Frazier's daughter Elizabeth, 1914. Grace and Earl had moved to Burlington Vermont for the births of twins Elizabeth and Mary. Cora would have had to travel from Indiana to Vermont to visit her cousin Grace. Cora's father Thomas Wright was ill during this time; at times under Cora's care. Cora could have traveled to Vermont in 1914 as her sister Effie would have been available to look after their father in Cora's absence.(1)

Friday, November 18, 1910 "...I wrote cards in reply to birth-day cards from Grace Frazier, Stella Rhodes, Gusta Whitton & S. W. Wright; also to Flora Glass." (Card to Grace from Milton, dated November 18 included in recovered archive).

Tuesday, September 26, 1911 "...I went on noon train to Knightstown. I found my way to Noah Rhoad's. Jabez came after me, and I had supper and lodging at his house."

Wednesday, September 27, 1911 "Jabez took me to Delilah's- Edward Frazier's. Delilah after she told her troubles seemed well-content. I remained there till morning. Druzilla McKee staid there. Gusta Whitney (Whitten) and Alma Fry and her Lois were there and she went and brought Lois (11 years old) from school."

Thursday, September 28, 1911 "Grace took me to Augusta Whitton's (Whitten's) and I went with her to Esta Grubb's at Rushville. Her boy is also a great-great grandson of Harvey and Delila Wright...."

Milton continued in his letter to Grace Frazier dated December 22, 1911,

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"Our folks are having their Christmas times. Wilbur, Orville and Katharine act as if they are family. They seem to please one another. They are pleased with Lorin's little ones." 

 (Again, Lorin and Ivonette Wright's children were Milton, Ivonette, Leontine, and Horace.) 

"They have many acquaintances all over the United States; in France, England and Germany. They won their suit in New York over Graham -White for infringement. They are all well, and weighing more than common. I have a little rheumatism. Reuchlin's were well last word. The children sent them a Christmas Box. Helen Russell lives in Kinsley, Edwards County." 

(Reuchlin and Lulu Wright's children were Catharine, Helen, Herbert, and Bertha. Catharine died at age 4. Helen married George Russel in 1908. Herbert married Irene May in 1917, and Bertha married Harold Steeper in 1919.)  

"Mrs. Graybill, a near neighbor, fell down in the cellar door, and hurt herself. She is recovering finely. Her only daughter is a Christian Scientist. She (the old lady) is 81 years old. I have a card from Eva, who is well."  

(Eva Etta Wright, Harvey Wright's daughter, Milton's niece, married Charles Gray in 1891. They lived in Center, Indiana.) 

"I am writing much of my time. I am getting much for a church history, to be published after I am gone. I shall stay at home this winter. I have to take good care of myself. Wishing you all a merry Christmas and happy New Year," I am your uncle Milton Wright. (4)

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From Milton's diaries-

Tuesday, March 12, 1912 "....I got letters from Curtis Wright and from L. Grace Frazier." (Letter from Milton to Grace dated March 13 included in recovered archive).

Thursday, May 30, 1912 "This morning at 3:15, Wilbur passed away, aged 45 years, 1 month, and 14 days. A short life, full of consequences. An unfailing intellect, imperturable temper, great selfreliance and as great modesty, seeing the right clearly, pursuing it steadily, he lived and died..."

Cora Dillon and her nephew Russell Kirkpatrick, now 19 years old, "attended the funeral of their noted relative, Wilbur Wright, in Dayton, Ohio, this afternoon", reported the Rushville June 1, 1912 paper The Daily Republican. "Mrs. Dillon's father, Thomas Wright, was a cousin of the two famous brothers who were premiers in the field of aviators. Rush county also has some claim on Wilbur Wright, as his father, Bishop Wright, who is a leading clergyman in the United Brethren church, was born and reared in this county. The deceased aviator was born in Henry county, near Millville, just east of Newcastle." 

Acknowledgement of  sympathy card sent by Wright family at time of Wilbur Wright's passing. From Author's collection.

 

 

Friday, November 8, 1912 "Orville took me after dinner via the Asylum down the Bellbrook pike eight miles from home turned around, and off the pike, and came back west to the Centerville pike, and home. The wind was strong and cold. Wrote Grace, and to J. Howe. Cards to Drusilla and to......" (November 7 letter from Milton to Grace included in recovered archive).

The Daily Republican reported February 28, 1913, "Orville Wright of Dayton, Ohio....will come to Rushville Sunday from his home and go to Center township where he will be an honored guest at the eighty-sixth birthday celebration of his aunt, Mrs. Delilah Wright, at the old Wright homestead. The famous aviator will be accompanied by his father, the Rev. Milton Wright....Mrs. Wright is the widow of the late Elder Harvey Wright of Center township.....Mrs. Wright has been in poor health for several months, due to a fall she received some time ago." (20) The author of this article apparently made assumptions concerning Orville's plans to attend, as he obviously didn't inquire of the family. Orville and Katharine were in Berlin as recorded in Milton's diary on February 23, and they didn't return to the States until March 17, arriving in New York. They arrived in Dayton March 19. 

Sunday, March 2, 1913 "Went on 8:40 train to Knightstown, arrived 10:59. Lorin hired an Automobile to Delila Wright's. Found th. Drucilla, Frances, Grace, Faye, Lula Bealor, Dan, and wives, Benner Clara & family; Kirkpatrick & Effie; Augusta, Alma & Esta & their families; Earl & wife; Ed. Frazier and Grace; Jabez Rhodes; Thomas & Florence & their daughter, Mrs. McDaniel, there, Rilla, Lorin and Ivonette and I stay at Delila's."

Monday, March 3, 1913 "We went with Grace & Thomas to Effie's, who have fine house & dine. Thomas & Grace take us to traction at Knightstown. We go to Greenfield, where Charles Gray and Luther Newhouse & their wives, come in to see us at Depot...." (Harvey and Delilah's daughter Rhoda had married Martin Luther Newhouse in 1888.)

The Knightstown Banner reported that week, "The eighty-sixth anniversary of Mrs. Harvey Wright's birth was celebrated Sunday at her home, two miles south of Center, in Center township, where she has been a resident since 1865. There were present children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, making five generations present. There was also present Elder Harvey Wright's brother, Milton Wright, and son, Lorin Wright and daughter, of Dayton, O.; also neighbors and friends. Mrs. Wright's maiden name was Delilah Stevens, and she was married to Elder Harvey Wright December 27, 1943. Her husband died June 22, 1906. Only four of her eleven children survive- Mrs. Drusilla McKee, Mrs. Jabez Rhodes, Mrs. Charles Gray, and Thomas Wright. A novel feature of the day was a mamoth cake studded with candles. Each member present blew out a candle and made a wish at the same time." (25)

 

 

Milton wrote in his diary, Monday, March 24, 1913, "I apprehended a flood. Felt the danger of it."

For this account, see my post: The 1913 Dayton Flood, and the Wright Family

 

 

Friday, May 9, 1913 "It is somewhat cloudy in the forenoon. I received and answered Grace Frazier's letter...." (This May 9 letter from Milton to Grace is missing from recovered archive).

Delilah Steven Wright died on June 11, 1913, at age of 86. As reported in The Daily Republican on June 12, "Mrs. Harvey Wright, 86 years old, died last night at her home in Center township. Mrs. Wright had been ill for a long time and because of her advanced age, death was expected. Her husband has been dead a number of years and she is survived by four children, Thomas Wright, Mrs. Jabez Rhodes, Mrs. Charles Gray and Mrs. Priscilla McKee...."

Wednesday, June 11, 1913 "Horace ate dinner with us. In the evening, I got a telegram from Bert Benner, saying Aunt Delilah died. I telegraphed that I could not attend the funeral, on account of lumbago."

Thursday, June 19, 1913 "Wrote to Reuchlin, and to Grace Frazer. It is a very hot day. Katharine and Mrs. Justina Stevens attended High School commencement at Steel's building." (This June 19 letter from Milton to Grace is included in the recovered archive).

Friday, April 10, 1914 "I wrote to Cora Dillon, and to Rev. J. S. Rook. Mr. Moore called to see Orville and Katharine."

Thursday, October 22, 1914 "It is a very bright morning. I received a letter from Cora Dillon..."

Sunday, February 14, 1915 "Horace came in forenoon and staid till 8:00 at night. Orville took him Home. Lorin and Netta came in the afternoon. Thomas Wright died this morning at home. I received a telegram in the Evening from Cora W. Dillon. His wife died Feb. 27, 1911. He was born in Fayette County, Jan. 12, 1848. They were married in Rush County, Jan. 26, 1868."

Tuesday, February 16, 1915 "Rev. C. W. Radcliff preached Thomas Wright's funeral at 2:00, at Center Christian Church in Rush County."

Tuesday, February 23, 1915 "....I received letters from Cora W. Dillon, a card from J. F. Harris...."

Among notes at the end of his 1915 entries, Milton's last diary entry concerning Grace, he wrote "Grace Frazier left home Sept. 11, went to Chicago, and wrote home she was going to some new country." Grace and family moved to Burlington Vermont, but would eventually return to Indiana.

Monday, February 14, 1916  "We received a telegram from Cora W. Dillon, saying that her father, Thomas Wright, died this morning. Thomas Wright was probably Harvey's son of the best judgment. George, next younger, had a fine talent as a Baptist Preacher, but hardly so fine a judgment. George was a physician." (This diary entry is odd. Thomas Wright had died this day the prior year. Likely Milton was reminiscing, and meant to say that this day, one year ago, he received a telegram from Cora W. Dillon, saying her father Thomas Wright, died....Milton's diary entries were fewer, skipping many days in 1916.)

Monday, June 19, 1916 "Mrs. Cora W. Dillon, on a visit to her mother's sister in Springfield, called a half-hour at Hawthorn Hill. We rode in town, in auto, some 8 miles, in afternoon."

Friday, November 17, 1916 "88th Birth Day. Received many letters of congratulations: Richard Braden, Ed. M. Harris, Ella Rees, Sina E. Ardery, Cora Dillon, etc. My age is greater than that of any of my ancestors for several generations."

The Fairmount News, Thursday, April 19, 1917, "Ellis Wright and Ovid Reeder were the only Grant County relatives of the late Bishop Wright who attended his funeral which was recently held in Dayton, Ohio. Bishop Wright was a remarkable man in many ways. He possessed unusual ability and talent and his life was characterized by uprightness and strict adherence to principle....Death came to him naturally and peacefully. On the evening before his death he read his newspaper as usual. In the morning the members of his family found him with one hand beneath his chin- a characteristic pose. He had passed away in his sleep, seemingly without a struggle. He had long been anxious to go." (24)

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What do we live for? is a hard question for many. They do not exactly know. Some fancy it is to eat and drink; others for show; and some seem to think it is merely to run a career. With very many, self-interest is at the bottom of all their calculations. All seem to center around themselves....There is really one great interest for all creation and for its Author. It all centers in God......

In order for us to live as we ought, and for what we ought, we must know God, know our relation to him, to our fellow-beings, and be brought into harmony with those relations. How are we to know him, to understand his will, and comprehend our relations to him and to mankind, but by his revealed word, by meditation, and by spiritual illumination? We must, then, be Bible students, give our minds to the consideration of sacred things, and seek spiritual assistance.....We should live for God's glory.

We ought to ask ourselves the question, What are we living for? How many can say they are living for holiness, for usefulness, for Christ, and for heaven?" 

Milton Wright, October 25, 1876 Religious Telescope (26)

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In December 18, 1920 The Daily Republican Rushville Indiana paper published a letter written by Grace and Earl's daughter Elizabeth, 6 years old, "Dear Santa Claus: I am a little girl in school class IB, And I hope you will bring me some doll furniture, a little stand and some dishes and a baby doll for my doll  house. Remember my cousin Virginia and all good little boys and girls. Elizabeth Payne" Elizabeth's father Earl H. Payne's brother's name was Ralph Payne, and his youngest daughter was Virginia, born the same year as Elizabeth. In December of 1921, Elizabeth asked for a bit more, "I want a walking doll that talks, a baby carriage and a baby doll, a live dog, a doll dresser and some doll clothes. Dear Santa remember other little boys and girls. Elizabeth Payne"

Grace's father died in 1921. At this time she was living in Rushville, and her father had been living in Mays. "William Edward Frazier of Mays, age sixty-six years, assessor of Center township, passed away...from muscular heart trouble.....born in Kent county, Delaware, November 17, 1854. In 1876, at the age of twenty-two years, he made a trip west, locating in Rush county, where he met and married Emma Jane Wright daughter of the late Elder Harvey Wright, who preceded him in death almost eleven years ago. Surviving Mr. Frazier are one daughter, Grace Frazier Payne of this city; James Augustus Frazier of Wilmington, Delaware, Robert E. Frazier of Alexandria, Ind., and two sisters, Mrs. Mary E. Wilkinson of Philadelphia., Penn., and Mrs. Emma B. Green of New York City....Short services will be held at ten o'clock at Mrs. Payne's home, corner of Main and Eighth streets, where the body was taken." (23)

"Ed Frazier as he was familiarly called was a good neighbor, a pleasant, affable gentleman to meet, a hard-working industrious man, ever doing unto others as he wished to be done by, -unpretentious and plain in his ideals of life based upon the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man." (27)

Grace Frazier Payne's home in Rushville, Indiana, corner of Main and Eighth streets, around 1920 from her family photographs. This home is still standing today.(1)

 

William Edward Frazier was buried at the Little Blue River cemetery, as was his wife, Emma Wright Frazier, just south of the old Harvey Wright farm homestead. Harvey's son Joseph Alvin Wright and Joseph's wife Viola Eva Oldham Wright (Thomas) are buried here. Harvey's daughter Rhoda Wright Newhouse is buried here. A video of Little Blue River cemetery is available, not specifically naming the Wright family, but many of the names will be familiar. 

William Edward Frazier's brother, James Augustus Frazier and family. James wife Harriett Amanda Smith died in 1910, James lived to 1940. Their children left to right, Ethel Frazier, Ida S Frazier, and Lindale Frazier, Grace Frazier's cousins. The family lived in Wilmington, Delaware. Per the 1900 Census, the family lived in Dover, Delaware at that time. The children's photo likely dates to around 1898 when Ethel was 10 years old, Ida was 12 years old, and Lindale was 7 years old. James outlived his two daughters; at time of death in 1940 was survived by his second wife and son Lindale.(1)

Samuel Merrifield and wife Harriet had outlived all three of their children, Charles, Robert, and Alice. Samuel died in 1918. Harriet lodged at Margaret Dickson's residence at 1322 Central Avenue in Connersville after Samuel died, and remained there for the remainder of her life. Harriet's grand niece and nephew, Roxanna and Huston Frazier, (children of Grace Frazier's Uncle Harry Frazier and Anna Maria Huston Frazier) would visit with Harriet on occasion. Margaret wrote Roxanna a letter in 1928, mentioning the following: 

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"Your Aunt Hattie is getting better slowly- had on her dress yesterday. The Doctor gave her few doses of Extract of Liver which seemed to have a fine effect upon her. The supply has been exhausted so we have to wait for more until the laboratories stock up again......Are you enjoying these balmy summer like days? It froze here last night. Are you coming down soon? Your little calls do your Aunt Hattie so much good. No one else among the relatives ever come to see her and she does appreciate you so much. I do wish all the aviators would get across and be done with it. The dear old soul worries herself nearly to death over them. She has been grieving over Bennet's untimely death. I hope Lindy will not attempt another flight as long as she lives. Don't stop at Knightstown when you come again. Drop us a card and we will lay in a supply of sardines & dill pickles and have a feast. Aunt Hattie sends love. Lovingly Margaret" (4)

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("Bennet's untimely death" refers to Floyd Bennett who died of pneumonia on April 25th, 1928 after a flight. Bennett as co-pilot to Richard Byrd, flew over the North Pole in 1926. Lindy refers to Charles Lindbergh, of whom Hattie was quite a fan.)

Harriett B. Huston Merrifield, 89 years old in 1928, pointing to World Map. Charles Lindbergh's New York Times photo hangs to her right. (1)

Elizabeth Payne, daughter of Grace and Earl Payne, Great-Grand Niece of Milton Wright, likely early 1930's. Elizabeth was born January of 1914. (1)

 

Grace Frazier Payne's uncle Rev. Harry O. Frazier remarried a couple years after his wife Anna Maria died in 1922 to Bessie Bertsche. In 1937, "Shortly before the dinner hour he went to the kitchen, washed his face and hands in preparation for the noon meal, and then turned to a mirror to comb his hair....(his wife stood a few feet away preparing the family dinner)....While so engaged, he called to his wife, 'Oh, I am falling.' Before she could reach his side he slumped to the floor, face downward, and was dead." (9) It was that sudden. As declared in Job 14:5, "A person's days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed."

Grace Frazier Payne died January 26, 1938 at a hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut, after an operation earlier in the month, and was buried at Burlington, Vermont.(29)

Cora Dillon died September 7, 1950 of pneumonia at a hospital in Bellaire Michigan. She had become sick while staying at her summer cottage on Torch Lake, Michigan. Russel Kirkpatrick, her nephew, was the administrator of her estate.(28)

To Be Continued.....When the lost letters of Milton Wright to Grace Frazier are found.

(In The Works)

Copyright 2022- Getting the Story Wright

Revisions- 4/10/24, added Milton Wright to Grace Frazier letters dated July 22, 1909, May 1, 1910, and June 9, 1910.

4/17/24, added photo of Lorin and Ivonette Wright's children. 

4/18/24, added Delilah Stephens Wright photo from WSU archives for comparison to author's archive photo.

Notes:

1. Unpublished photos from Author's collection.

2. Quotes from Diaries 1857-1917, Bishop Milton Wright, The Wright State University Libraries, 1999.

3. The Daily Republican, July 1, 1910, page 3, Obituary. 

4. Family letters from Author's collection.

5. The Daily Republican, April 18, 1910, Rushville, Indiana.

6. From the Religious Telescope May 29, 1872 issue, from Milton Wright's article, "Prayer", as included in "A Higher Moral And Spiritual Stand", Selected Writings of Milton Wright, edited by Timothy S. G. Binkley, 2009.

7. As pictured in The Indianapolis Morning Star, Tuesday, June 26, 1906.

8. From author's collection. No evidence this Grace same as Grace Frazier, however, Grace Frazier and Cora Dillon as visiting cousins of the Wright Brothers, certainly would have had reserved seats in The Court of Honor.

9. From The Alexandria Times Tribune, January 11, 1937 "H.O. Frazier Victim Sudden Heart Attack"

10. Harvey Wright Ledger 1895-1898, Author's collection.

11. Rushville Republican September 7, 1906 "Ed. Frazier moved the first of the week to the farm owned by the late Harvey Wright..." The 1910 Census indicates W. E. Frazier (Head), Emma J (Wife), Luella G. (Daughter), Delilia Wright (Mother-in-Law) in Rushville Knightstown Pike No.2 in Center. W. E. Frazier listed as a Farmer, and Grace as a school teacher.

12. Milton misspells the name Rhoads throughout his diary. Correct spelling is Rhodes. Spelling of surnames often changes with passing of time, and it is possible Milton is using a more antiquated spelling. My surname Yanney was originally Jenni (Switzerland origin). On my mother's side, my great-great-grandfather Stephen Cox- prior generations spelled the name as Cocks. 

13. As reported in The Daily Republican, June 19, 1909, Rushville, Indiana.

14. As reported in The Daily Republican, April 16, 1909, Rushville, Indiana.

15. As reported in The Daily Republican, Monday, February 10, 1908, "Train Crashes Into Automobile Killing Prominent Physician".

16. As reported in The Tuesday Republican, September 12, 1893, Rushville, Indiana.

17. As reported in The Friday Republican, January 29, 1892, Rushville, Indiana.

18. The Tuesday Republican, August 15, 1899, Rushville, Indiana.

19.The Tuesday Republican, January 30, 1900, Court House Notes.

20. The Daily Republican, February 28, 1913, Famous Aviator Will Visit Here, Orville Wright of Dayton, O,, Coming Sunday to Attend Aunt's Birthday Celebration. At The Family Homestead.

21. Photo had note on back side indicating Grace Frazier was in center, but this is incorrect. Comparing photo's of Grace Frazier within WSU Special Collections and Archives Wright Brothers MS-1, Harvey Wright family photographs, Box 27, File 7 to this photo, Grace is on the right. Additionally on the back of this photo was written "around 1910". I suspect the photo is earlier, perhaps 1905. Grace was born in 1883. If 1905, she would be 22 in this photo. A social note in the Rushville Daily Republican Sept 7, 1905 mentions "-Connersville News: Miss Grace Frazier, of Rushville, is spending the week with Misses Helen Huston and Alice Merrifield and attended the fair." It's possible this photo was taken during that week.

22. The Daily Republican, Monday, August 9, 1909 "Sunday School Teacher Suicide"

23. The Daily Republican, Monday, February 14, 1921 "William E. Frazier of Mays Dies Sunday" Center Township Assessor Expires at Sexton Hospital From Muscular Heart Trouble.

24. The article also mentioned "A fine farm containing 137 acres, near Fowlerton, and almost a fourth of a block in the business section of Fairmount belonged to Mr. Wright. The heirs propose to retain possession of the farm, for the present, at least."

25. From The Knightstown Banner, March 7, 1913, reminiscing at Delilah's 86th birthday party. 

26.  From the Religious Telescope October 25, 1876 issue, from Milton Wright's article, "What we Live for", as included in "A Higher Moral And Spiritual Stand", Selected Writings of Milton Wright, edited by Timothy S. G. Binkley, 2009.

27. The Daily Republican, Rushville, Ind. February 22, 1921, quote from Obituary. 

28. Rushville Republican, September 8, 1950, "Mrs. Cora Dillon Dies in Michigan".

29. Rushville Republican, January 27, 1938, "Mrs. Earl H. Payne Dies In The East".