The Passaic valley, New Jersey, in three . nd successfully en-gaged in the saddleryand harness firm of which hewas originally a mem-ber in Newark wasformed about 1823, con-ducting operations un-der the title of Smith &Wright, its membershipsome years later com-prising Hanford Smith,William Wright, EdwinVan Antwerp, and William S. Faitoute. Their establish-ment was from the start the leading one in the city, andtheir business became the most extensive of any similar en-terj)rise in the Union. Their large factory, a portion ofAvhich is still standing, was located at the
The Passaic valley, New Jersey, in three . nd successfully en-gaged in the saddleryand harness firm of which hewas originally a mem-ber in Newark wasformed about 1823, con-ducting operations un-der the title of Smith &Wright, its membershipsome years later com-prising Hanford Smith,William Wright, EdwinVan Antwerp, and William S. Faitoute. Their establish-ment was from the start the leading one in the city, andtheir business became the most extensive of any similar en-terj)rise in the Union. Their large factory, a portion ofAvhich is still standing, was located at the southeast cornerof Broad and Fair Streets. Through his well directed efforts and executive ability inbusiness Mr. Wright attained merited financial success, buthis greatest distinction and his peculiar claim to a placeon the pages of history lie in his service to the State andNation as the incumbent of exalted public office. He re-tired from active business about 1854, prior to Avhich timehe had manifested a lively interest in public affairs. His. WILLIAM WRIGHT. BIOGRAPHICAL 25 |»iihlic spirit and solicitiido for the progress and ])rosperityof N(\var](! to iiis selection as tlie Wliiy, candiilate forMayor in 1841. lie was elected and was retained in tliisoltice for three tei-nis, a fact clearly indicative of I lie jpnim-lar api)reciation of his administrative ability. In 1S42,while still Mayor, he was nominated for Congress and wassuc((^ssfnl at the ])olls, his opponent beinn the Hon. William1>. Kinney. Mr. ^^ri^iht was eleclid as his own snccessorin Congress in 1841, and gained prestige as a safe and con-servative legislator. In 1847 he was a candidate for (iov-ci-nor of New -Tei-sey, hut was defeated after a. spirited con-test, his snccessfiil opiionent being the late Hon. ])anielHaines. He was originally an old-time Whig, snppoitingH(>nry Clay in 1S48, bnt in IS.^iO he withdrew from thatparty and identified himself with tiie Democracy, whosecause he ever afterward ar
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