David A. Wright was born in Granville, Washington county, New York, June 16, 1813. His parents were both natives of that county. In the year 1824 his father, Derrick J. Wright, removed with his family to Oneida county. In 1843 they all emigrated to Michigan ; part of the family coming on the water as far as Detroit, and the rest with a team through Canada. Previous to this David A. Wright had been united in marriage (September 13, 1834) with Mary D. Campbell, a sister of the wife of Horatio Wright, now residing in Groveland township. Mrs. David Wright died in the State of New York, and left two children, both daughters, Susan S., born January 4, 1841, and Sarah M., November 3, 1843. The former is now the wife of Mr. Brainard J. Phillips, of Springfield township, and the latter is the wife of Edward B. Murgittroyd, of Davisburgh. Mr. Wright was married to Miss Harriet E. Gross on the 7th of March, 1853, and five children were born to them, as follows: Porter A., April 29, 1854; Alice A., August 20, 1855, died September 12, 1855 ; Theodore G., October 3, 1856 ; Willie P., July 2, 1860 ; Lucy J., October 25, 1862.

Mrs, Wright is a daughter of Jonah Gross, the second settler in Springfield township, and accompanied the family to Michigan in the spring of 1832, when she was but a few years old. They came from Hampshire county, Massachusetts. Mrs. Wright has resided longer in Springfield than any other person now living in it, and her earliest recollections are associated with the township, dating back for a period of forty-five years.

Mr. Wright was a prominent and popular man during his life among the inhabitants of Oakland County, and on the 19th of January, 1877, when he had reached the age of nearly sixty-four years, and the "reaper whose name is Death" gathered him in at the harvest time of his existence, an appreciative and loving community deeply felt his loss, and realized that a "bright and shining light" had been extinguished, and a much, respected citizen taken from among them.

He was instrumental in securing a post office at Austin, on the old Detroit and Saginaw turnpike, as early as 1845-46, and until within a few years of his death he held the office of postmaster the whole time, with the exception of a few months. The office was named for him (David Austin Wright), and for twentyfive years he discharged its duties. He was always a strong Democrat, as were also his two brothers, and in 1849 represented a part of Oakland County on that ticket in the lower house of the legislature. In 1852 he was chosen State senator, and served one term. In the Masonic fraternity he was among the most prominent members in the county. Was an early member of Austin lodge. No. 48 (Masters' lodge), and later of Austin chapter. No. 44, E. A. M. He also assisted in organizing a commandery at Fentonville, Genesee county. He was three times elected coroner of Oakland County, and was also a prominent member of Davisburgh grange. No. 245, P. of H., being one of its charter members. He was truly a representative man, and his bereaved family are accorded the heartfelt sympathy of all who knew him, while a tear is dropped to his memory and a hope cherished that, "When this life is o'er, In the life to come they may meet once more."