Hugh Wright was born on a small island in the St. Lawrence River in 1860. Of Scottish and Irish parentage, he was one of seven children.
He migrated to Dakota Territory in the late 1880's, working first in the railroad offices at Emerado and then in Grand Forks in the old Ontario Store. Before moving to Grand Forks he married Nettie Clay Rank, born in 1867 on a farm near Chatfield, Minnesota and who had come to Dakota Territory to teach the primary grades in Larimore. Her parents were Yankees dating back to the American Revolution.
Two children were born in Grand Forks, first a girl, Josephine in 1896; then a boy, Ranald, born in 1901. Ranald was named for a character in a book they were reading at the time.
Mrs. Wright was a born teacher. She opened what is likely the first kindergarten in North Dakota in her home when Josephine was four and again later when Ranald was ready.
In 1904 the family moved to Aneta and here three more children were born; George Clayton, Mary Caroline, and Sarah Catherine. With this large family, the Wrights decided to move to Valley City where Mr. Wright had a position with the C. C. Chaffee company, a large dry goods store. He preceded the family by six weeks, getting a cottage ready for their occupancy. The family stayed overnight in Casselton on the way to Valley City, which was a treat for the older children.
Josephine began school in September and thus began her long and fruitful career in the field of music. She transferred in two years to the Valley City Normal School where she could study under such music teachers as Katherine Fjelde and Fanny Amidon. Here she began her long and happy career as the "town accompanist."
Mr. Wright soon moved to the Valley City Grocery Company and here he worked for many years until his retirement. The family were members of the Epwroth Methodist Church, where Josephine was the organist for so many years, much to the delight of the large choir.
Ranald, who had acquired the nickname of "Happy" because of his giggling at the antics of a friend, was working in the field of radio and television for KREM in Spokane and Hugh Wright and Nettie moved to Spokane to retire. Ranald had married Francis Birks while working for the railroad in Deer Lodge, Montana.
George became a school administrator and after many successful years with the Navy in that capacity he is now retired with his wife, Amy Brudevold, in Sun City, Arizona.
Mary taught in Oakes then met and married Hugh Jacobs in Spokane, where they both taught in the schools. They are now retired.
Sarah, also a teacher, taught in Sharon, North Dakota where she met and married Henry Halverson. They now live in Las Vegas, Nevada.
There was always a close kinship in the Wright family and it was expressed by Sarah when she said, "I always felt that where Mother was-was home!"
Hugh Wright passed away in 1949 and Nettie Wright passed away in 1965.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 276