William Wright (politician)

William Wright

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 5th district
In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845
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 3, 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)

Born	November 13, 1794 Clarksville, Rockland County, New York
Died	November 1, 1866 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.

Born in Clarksville, 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.

Wright was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-eighth United States Congress and Twenty-ninth United States Congress (March 4, 1843-March 3, 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 3, 1859, but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1858. He was the chairman, Committee on Manufactures (Thirty-third United States Congress and Thirty-fourth United States Congress), Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses (Thirty-fifth United States Congress), Committee on Engrossed Bills (Thirty-fifth 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.

[edit] See also

Preceded by Jacob W. Miller	United States Senator (Class 2) from New Jersey 1853 – 1859 Served alongside: John R. Thomson	Succeeded by John C. Ten Eyck
Preceded by James W. Wall	United States 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

v • d • e Mayors of Newark, New Jersey

Halsey • Frelinghuysen • Miller • Halstead • Wright • Dod • Baldwin • Vanderpool • Miller • Quinby • Poinier • Bigelow • Runyon • Peddie • Ricord • Perry • Yates • Fiedler • Lang • Haynes • Lebkuecher • Seymour, Sr. • Doremus • Haussling • Raymond • Gillen • Archibald • Breidenbach • Raymond • Congleton • Ellenstein • Murphy • Villani • Carlin • Addonizio • Gibson • James • Booker

v • d • e United States Senators from New Jersey

Class 1: Elmer • Rutherfurd • Davenport • Schureman • Ogden • Condit • Lambert • Wilson • Southard • McIlvaine • Bateman • Dickerson • Southard • W. Dayton • R. Stockton • Thomson • Field • J. Wall • Wright • F. T. Frelinghuysen • J. Stockton • Randolph • Sewell • Blodgett • J. Smith • J. Kean • Martine • J. Frelinghuysen • Edwards • H. Kean • Moore • Milton • Barbour • Walsh • H. Smith • Williams • Brady • Lautenberg • Corzine • Menendez Class 2: Paterson • Dickinson • F. Frelinghuysen • Richard Stockton • J. Dayton • Kitchell • Condit • Dickerson • T. Frelinghuysen • G. Wall • Miller • Wright • Ten Eyck • J. Stockton • Catell • F. T. Frelinghuysen • McPherson • Sewell • Dryden • Briggs • Hughes • Baird • Edge • Baird, Jr. • Morrow • Barbour • Smathers • Hawkes • Hendrickson • Case • Bradley • Torricelli • Lautenberg