Springfield-Greene
County LibraryT. J. WRIGHT, Chief of Police of Springfield, Mo. Never has the city of been under better control--more peaceable, orderly and quiet than it is at present, and this is without doubt owing to the fact that a man of intelligence, determination, energy and vigilance is at the head of the police force. This man is T. J. Wright, who has been connected with the force since 1888 and since 1892 has been at its head, owing to the fact that his far-seeing shrewdness and numerous other qualifications made him admirably fitted to fill the office in a most praiseworthy manner. He is a product of Caldwell county, Mo., where be was born September 6, 1856, a son of Windfield Wright, who for many years was a substantial farmer of that county and who has now been dead for five years. His widow still survives him and makes her home on the old farm, where their nine children were born. and reared to honorable manhood and womanhood, the eldest son having held office in his county. The youthful days of Chief T. J. Wright were spent in attending school in his native county in the vicinity of Breckinridge, and in assisting to wield the hoe on the home farm, where be learned not only methodical habits, but lessons of industry and perseverance which have since been of material use to him. He learned the plasterer's trade in early manhood and followed this occupation successfully up to the time of his appointment to the police department, having at that time been a resident of Springfield four years. He was very successful in his trade and was at one time the largest contractor of the kind in the city. He has always manifested considerable interest in political affairs always supported the Democratic party. He is very active and wide-awake; in fact, the citizens of Springfield early came to recognize that he was the right man in the right place in his capacity of chief of police. He was appointed on the police force by Mayor Walker who saw in him an able man for police duty and he at once grew in popular favor with the citizens of the place. In 1892 they showed their appreciation of his ability and the good he had accomplished by electing him by a handsome majority to the office of chief. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, No. 218, the K. of P. Lodge, No. 86, and has represented the Odd Follow lodges of his district (consisting of nine) in the Grand Lodge of the State for the past four years. Chief Wright was married in Springfield to Miss Lou Wilkerson, and they have a comfortable home at 510 West Division Street. The police department of Springfield consists of ten men, four on the north side and six on the south, and the police headquarters are at No. 1 fire station on College Street.
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