Lydia Green was born on 21 Oct 1845 in Fulton County, Illinois to Jacob and Mary (Chicken) Green. She was raised on a farm there and had at least five siblings. Lydia married William Wright on 14 Feb 1868 in Fulton County, Illinois. The couple moved to Benton County, Indiana shortly after their marriage and moved to Oregon in Oct 1878. 

William and Lydia had ten children:  Anna, Samuel M. and Daniel Perry born in Indiana; Thomas L and Harvey Landis born in Illinois; William Dean, Gracie, Alfred Stanton, Charles Clinton, and Virgil Finis born in Oregon. The oldest daughter Anna was a teacher but passed away at age 22. Their daughter Gracie was born in 1881 but only lived a month. Their son Tommie was only eight when he died. These children are buried in Lee Cemetery by their parents. The other seven sons lived relatively long successful lives. Two sons, William Dean and Charles Clinton became veterinary doctors.  

When the TKWM opened in 1890, William was a night watchman and Samuel was in the Dye department. William was there only a short time. Lydia appears in the 1895 census, working as a dyer at the woolen mill. Son Samuel worked at the mill for almost forty years in many positions. Another son, Daniel Perry also worked for the mill as a laborer as early as 1891 and was a spinner & finisher by 1910. William worked as a farmer and common laborer. He was known as “Uncle Billy”. 

The year 1897 was a very difficult one for the family as Lydia was committed to the insane asylum by her husband in January. Their two grown sons, Samuel and Perry fought the proposition. Lydia was released in February to live with her son Perry at his home in Albany. Perry had a good job at the woolen mill in Albany. Perry married in October of that year and Lydia returned to her home in Salem, on the corner of 13th and Ferry. She passed away at her home on 16 Nov 1897. William was in Butte, MT at the time of her death.  

According to her obituary, Lydia had been in ill health and was stricken with blindness about three years before her death. Lydia is buried at the Lee Mission Cemetery. William and the three children lost at an early age are buried there as well. 

1893 Wright Wm, gardener, res at 204 13th St. 

1896    Wright Wm, gardener, res Ferry sw cor 13th 

1880 Wm Wright. Age: 35. Birth Date: Abt 1845 in New Jersey. Home in 1880: East Salem, Marion, OR. Married, HOH. Occupation: Laborer. Additional household members: Lydia Wright, 35 (wife). Anna Wright, 11 (daughter). Sam’l Wright, 9 (son). Perry Wright, 7 (son). Thos. Wright, 5 (son). Harvy Wright, 3 (son). Dean Wright, 6/12 (son). 

1895  (Marion County OR US Census) Wright Liddia – b. IL, 5’2”, 115#, dark dyer, Prot., f, 49. Wright William. b. NY, 5’5”, 149#, dark, scissor grinder, Prot., voter, m, 50. Seven of their sons are also listed. 

Name Lydia Green Wright 

Gender Female 

Death Age 52 

Birth Date 21 Oct 1845 

Birth Place Bernadotte, Ill 

Death Date 16 Nov 1897 

Burial Date 17 Nov 1897 

Cemetery Lee Mission 

Spouse              William Wright 

William Wright. Birth: 8 Aug 1844 in New Jersey. Death: 13 Apr 1935 (age 90) in Marion County, OR. Burial: Lee Mission Cemetery, Salem, OR. Memorial ID: 17239841. 

Statesman Journal 3 Jan 1897 p 4. An Awful Affair 

Statesman Journal 5 Jan 1897 p 3. Dr. Reynolds Statement 

Statesman Journal 7 Feb 1897 p. 5. Mrs. Wm. Wright (Discharged) 

Capital Journal 16 Feb 1897 p. 4. Mrs. Wm. Wright and children went to Albany to live with son Perry 

Statesman Journal 17 Nov 1897 p. 5. The Dead of a Day. (Obituary)