William Wright (United States politician)

William Wright
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 5th district
In office March 4, 1843 – March 4, 1847
Preceded by	John Bancker Aycrigg William Halstead John Patterson Bryan Maxwell Joseph Fitz Randolph Charles C. Stratton Thomas J. Yorke (Elected statewide on a Whig Party general ticket)
Succeeded by	Dudley S. Gregory (W)
United States Senator from New Jersey (Class 2)
In office March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1859
Preceded by	Jacob W. Miller (W)
Succeeded by	John C. Ten Eyck (R)
United States Senator from New Jersey (Class 1)
In office March 4, 1863 – November 1, 1866
Preceded by	James Walter Wall (D)
Succeeded by	Frederick T. Frelinghuysen (R)
Personal details
Born	(1794-11-13)November 13, 1794 Clarksville, New York
Died	Flemington, New Jersey
Political party	Whig (House) Democratic (Senate)
Profession	Politician

William Wright (November 13, 1794 – November 1, 1866) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, represented New Jersey's 5th congressional district as a Whig in the United States House of Representatives from 1843 to 1847, and represented New Jersey in the United States Senate as a Democrat from 1853 to 1859, and again from 1863 until his death.

Biography

He was born in Clarkstown, Rockland County, New York; attended the public schools and Poughkeepsie Academy; was a volunteer for the defense of Stonington, Connecticut, in the War of 1812; learned the saddler's trade and engaged in business in Bridgeport, Connecticut; moved to Newark, New Jersey in 1821 and ran a saddlery and leather business there. He served as mayor of Newark from 1840-1843.

On May 25, 1843, Wright was chosen as the second president of the Morris and Essex Railroad to succeed Lewis Condict, a post he held until his death more than twenty years later.

In October 1843, Wright was elected as an Independent Whig to the 28th United States Congress in the new 5th Congressional District (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic Counties), and was reelected as a Whig without opposition in 1844 to the 29th United States Congress (March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1847).

He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of New Jersey in 1847, and affiliated with the Democratic Party in 1850. Wright was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1853, to March 4, 1859, but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1858. He was the chairman, Committee on Manufactures (33rd United States Congress and 34th United States Congress), Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses (35th United States Congress), Committee on Engrossed Bills (35th Congress); again elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1863, until his death in Newark. He was interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Newark.

External links

• William Wright at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• William Wright at The Political Graveyard
• William Wright at Find a Grave

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by District re-established	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 5th congressional district March 4, 1843-March 3, 1847	Succeeded by Dudley S. Gregory
United States Senate
Preceded by Jacob W. Miller	U.S. Senator (Class 2) from New Jersey 1853–1859 Served alongside: John R. Thomson	Succeeded by John C. Ten Eyck
Preceded by James W. Wall	U.S. Senator (Class 1) from New Jersey 1863–1866 Served alongside: John C. Ten Eyck, John P. Stockton, Alexander G. Cattell	Succeeded by Frederick T. Frelinghuysen