William P. Wright facts for kids
Captain William Parkinson Wright (born 1846, Illinois; died 1933, Pennsylvania) was an important leader who fought in the American Civil War. He was an officer in the 156th Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the war. After the war, he became the 25th Commander-in-Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) from 1931 to 1933. He was also the 66th Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) from 1932 to 1933.
William Wright was the very last Commander-in-Chief of the MOLLUS who had actually served in the Civil War.
Early Life of William Wright
William Wright was born on March 29, 1846. His hometown was Naperville, which is in DuPage County, Illinois.
William Wright's Civil War Service
When William Wright turned 18, he joined the Union Army. This was in May 1864. He started as a private in Company I of the 132nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He served for 100 days and was discharged as a corporal.
He decided to re-enlist on February 25, 1865. This time, he joined the 156th Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a First Sergeant. He was later promoted to Second Lieutenant on June 2, 1865. Then, on July 26, 1865, he became a Captain.
During his service with the 132nd Illinois, he was stationed in Kentucky. His duties included being in Paducah and Columbus, Kentucky. The 156th Illinois was assigned to guard the railroad. This railroad ran between Chattanooga, Tennessee and Dalton, Georgia. On July 5, 1865, his regiment moved to Memphis, Tennessee for patrol duty. In September 1865, Captain Wright finished his service. He was officially discharged with his regiment in Springfield, Illinois.
Life After the Civil War
After the war ended, William Wright started a new career. He worked as a real estate broker in the Chicago area.
Soon after the war, Wright became an early member of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). The GAR was a group for Union Army veterans. He led two different GAR posts: the Walter Blanchard Post in Naperville and the Abraham Lincoln Post in Chicago. He also served as the Commander for the Department of Illinois from May 1921 to May 1922. He was also the President of the Board of Directors for the Grand Army Hall and Memorial Association of Illinois.
Wright also joined the MOLLUS on July 24, 1894. This was another important group for Civil War officers. He became the Commander of the Illinois Commandery for MOLLUS. Later, he was elected as the Treasurer-in-Chief.
On October 28, 1931, William Wright was elected as the Commander-in-Chief of the MOLLUS. He was the last person to hold this role who had actually fought in the Civil War. The next year, he was also elected as the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). He is the only person in history to have led both of these major veteran organizations.
William Wright passed away on June 15, 1933, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was still serving as the commander-in-chief for both the MOLLUS and the GAR when he died. His son, Henry Delco Wright, also became a member of the MOLLUS.
