GEORGE M. WRIGHT

The following bio was taken from page 455 of the book entitled " Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Claudia Schuster

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

George Milner Wright was born May 12, 1886, and died August 1965. He was the third son of Cole Wright and Margaret Lanford Wright. He married Mittie Pearl White, December 1912, in Ore City. Mittie was born October 6, 1893, and died May 25, 1951.

As a young man, George and his friend, Fred Culp, went to Shreveport to look for work, and George chose the drug business. On September 7, 1912, he received his pharmacist license. He faithfully pursued his calling and in 1962 he received a certificate for his fifty years of service from the State Board of Pharmacists.

After their marriage, George and Mittie moved to Longview, but they soon came to Henderson, where they remained the rest of their lives.

George first worked for J.E. Hightower, who had a drugstore in the city for many years. He then became co-owner of several other drug companies, including Wright & Allen and Young & Wright, and for years was sole owner of Wright’s Pharmacy, which he operated until his death.

The Wrights became the parents of three children. Robert Cole, born October 12, 1913, married Mary Ellen Oliver, February, 1941. The couple’s children are: Mary Ann, born March 31, 1948, and William Oliver, born May 1951. George M. Jr., born January 1, 1918, married Bobbie Ruth Collins, June 1947. Their children are: George Randale, born March 25, 1950 and Sherill Ruth, born April 1953. Rebecca born October 3, 1923, first married William B. Taylor, February 17, 1945. To them were born four children: Mittie, June 7, 1947; William Ben, Jr., born March 31, 1951; Mary Elizabeth, born August 15, 1952; and George Michael, born October 30, 1953. Rebecca’s second marriage was to Elliott Hewes.

George, Sr.’s second marriage was to Mrs. Annie Laura Maxey, June 20, 1953.

In all of Rusk County and East Texas there was no man better known and more highly respected than George M. Wright. He was in the drug business so long that many people trusted his advice rather than that of their family physician. He was an institution in Henderson, loved by everyone. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a friend and advisor to his many relatives, especially to his nieces and nephews. He and Mittie helped the young family members with their problems and their weddings, gave them jobs, doctored the sick, and encouraged them in their activities. They were a wonderful couple.

Submitted by Margaret W. Brown