| Biographical Note |
- Thomas William Wright was born at Villa Nova, Ontario, in 1862, son of T.M. Wright. He and Thomas Chambers, later to become his brother-in-law, came West in June 1882, when the railway had reached only as far as Brando, Saskatchewan, and their ensuing trek by wagon train ended at what is now Grenfell. They filed on adjacent homesteads, Mr. Wright on N.E.6-16-7, and Mr. Chambers on S.E. 6-16-7. T.M. Wright, Tom's father, and Robert Wright (Uncle Bob) arrived six weeks later. Robert took up a homestead on S.E. 7-16-7. Tom worked with a railway construction gang for a while, until they were within five miles of Regina, Saskatchewan, then he came to Grenfell, put up a house, and took the serious business of farming. Tom's brother, Charles, opened a livery barn in Grenfell, and was a practicing veterinarian. After he left the settlement he continued his studies and became a physician and surgeon. Still another brother, John, was the Indian agent at Crooked Lake Reserve for a time, and later moved to Fort Frances. His only sister, Josephine, married Tom Chambers in1889, and their two children, Ida and Cecil, grew up on the farm adjoining Wright's. Both parents passed away at an early age, Mr. Chambers in 1903, and Mrs. Chambers in 1908. Ida married Stan Fleming, and is now deceased, while Cecil made his home at Nelson, British Columbia. In 1893, Jennie Livingston on her way to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, stopped in Grenfell to visit her father's cousin, Nat Hobson. Three months later she and Tom Wright were married, and it wasn't till 30years later that she finally got to Vancouver. Of their four daughters, Gladys (Mrs. Ted Wolf), Olive (Mrs. George Deasty), Mary, and Grace (Mrs. John Hobson) all live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Wrights were active in all community affairs. At a very early period church services were held in their home. Later, the Brownhill School was used for services, and we are told that Mr. Wright paid the sum of 25¢per Sunday which was required by the School Board for heating of the building. In 1906 there was a church membership of 16, and Mr. Wright was the steward. He also served several terms on the School Board. Mrs. Wright was a charter member of the I.O.D.E. and an active member of the Hospital guild, the Red Cross, and the Homemakers Club. Mr. Wright became a Major in the 16th Light Horse, a squadron of which was stationed in Grenfell. He took the Third division overseas in the First World War. Many will remember ‘Jack,’ a fine black calvary horse that the Major rode. His spirit and stamina were put to test on a memorable ride when life and death were in the balance. This account can be found on page 27 in the book, 'Grit and Growth, the story of Grenfell', by Annie I. Yule and privately published by the Grenfell Historical Committee, 1980, Brigdens printing and covers done by Universal Binding, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. A puzzle: how are all the people listed in the book, 'Ennis History', by Jean Agnes (Ferguson) Smith, 1979, related to the Wrights? John Ennis called Thomas 'Tom' William Wright his cousin. Tom's mother was Nancy Ennis but so far Nancy's parentage has not been found.
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1862 - 
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