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The emphasis of this page is Eldon’s life as a young, single man still residing at home with John Harvey and Elizabeth Wright in Princeton then transitioning to married life with Esta Hamilton-Wright through the end of their lives. Posted within will be family photos, artifact photos, biographical articles or files, and short stories of the Wright and Hamilton familial life which will include recollections of their son Harold P. Wright and that of Harold’s children. All attempts will be made to post materials in chronological order and/or grouped by subject matter. Unless stated otherwise, the materials contained herein are provided by Kathy Wright-Wainer, granddaughter of Eldon and Esta.
A Summary of the Life of Eldon Herman Wright
and Esta Altha Hamilton-Wright
Having been born January 17, 1891, in Princeton, Mercer County, Missouri to John and Elizabeth Wright, Eldon frequently said he was going to live to be at least 100 years old. However, he passed away on June 2, 1988, Trenton, Grundy County, Missouri at 97 and a half years of age.
Now, step back in time. To my recollection, the year was not mentioned only that during a particular late summer, Eldon was working deep within one of John’s fields in Princeton. Off in the distance, he saw a fair young lady riding her pony along the road which ran parallel to the field. They caught a glimpse of each other while she rode passed. The next morning, Eldon worked the field a little bit closer to the road. Again, this young lady rode her pony passed the field around the same time headed in the same direction as the morning before. They locked eyes as her pony strode by. From this point, Eldon had his mind set on working the fence line during the next morning. Sure enough, the young girl on her pony came by at the same hour heading in the same direction as the previous days. This time, with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his blue eyes, Eldon spoke a friendly hello to the beautiful brown eyed Esta who reciprocated. From there they introduced themselves and had a very brief conversation because this young lady was due at the local school house and dare not be late. So each morning for as long as Eldon could make his work routine revolve around that fence line, he did. Esta enjoyed stopping her pony to chat, albeit briefly, to start her day. From there, some after school visits at the fence line took place and the courtship was well under way.
When they recounted their meeting, they both had a spark in their eyes and happy smiles on their faces. Apparently, when they both first locked eyes from such a great distance, they had in their minds to draw closer to meet. Back in the day, a lady dare not be so forward as to ride her pony straight up to the fence line and shout out at the handsome young man working in that field! Therefore, Esta purposed in her heart to continue riding to school down the same road at the same time rather than cut through local pastures and fields.
I was curious to know why Grandpa had never paid any mind to her before the first encounter from way across the field. Apparently they knew of each other in relation to the John Harvey Wright farm and the Emery E. Johnson farm, but it had been quite some time since they saw each other. And, isn’t it amazing what a brief break in time such as one summer can do for a young lady to blossom and grow? Being born on November 12, 1900, Esta would have been somewhere around fifteen years of age and Eldon around twenty-four with nine years of age difference. Emery and Eunice* wanted Esta to finish school before they would allow her to marry. Eldon waited patiently; however, in the meantime, on September 17, 1918, he enlisted in the US Army. The following is from the State of Missouri Military Service Archive: Organizations and served in: STUDENT ARMY TNG C MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURAL & MECHANICAL COLLEGE, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, MS TO DISCHARGE Grades, with date of appointment: PVT Honorable Discharge.
The following slideshow contains Eldon’s enlistment registration card, Army photos while stationed in Mississippi; Esta in 1910 atop her pony held by Pop (Emery) Johnson; Esta and Eva in 1915; and Eldon and Esta’s marriage certificate, wedding photo plus 60th Anniversary photo.
Soldier Boy Weds
January 1, 1919 – The Post – Princeton, Missouri
“Eldon Wright, who recently came home from an army camp in Mississippi, took a bride, December 21st [1918]. The lady of his choice was Miss Esta Hamilton. They were married by Rev. J. E. Todd at his residence. Oral Peace and Orville Kauffman, comrades of Mr. Wright at the army camp and Misses Mamie Wright, Mary Watkins, Opal Brummett, and Winnie Nichols witnessed the ceremony.
Mr. Wright is a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wright, living just south of town, and is a prominent young farmer. His bride has been making her home with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Johnson, southwest of this city, and is an excellent young lady. They have a host of friends with whom The Post joins in well wishes.”
Eldon and Esta Wright’s 60 Anniversary newspaper announcements contains the Princeton and Trenton newspapers’ publications of their anniversary celebration.
Building a Life Together
Eldon and Esta began their life together on a 310 acre farm in Mill Grove, Missouri which John Harvey owned along with the Honorable Ira B. Hyde. Almost three years later on March 21, 1921, the birth of their only child Harold Paul Wright occurred. The little family called this farm home until it was lost back to the bank during the Great Depression.
Harold Paul Wright from infancy to young adulthood.
From Mill Grove, they moved to property in Fox Creek in Harrison County Missouri. Some time after this, Harold set out on his own while Eldon and Esta moved south to Drury, Missouri for a time followed by a move to Ava, Missouri where they farmed and raised cattle until the late 1970s.
After this, they purchased a home in Spickard, Missouri where they resided only a few years. In the remaining years of their lives, they resided together at Sunnyview Nursing Home in Trenton. With Esta passing away first on May 11, 1987, at the age of 86 years, they enjoyed 68 years together.
The slideshow below is a compilation of most of their homes: Mill Grove, Drury, Blanche, Ava, and Spickard. Duke was Grandpa’s side kick for many years. Sadly, he was hit by a car prior to their moving from Ava. Grandpa had pastureland across the road from the house and moved the cattle back and forth from the pasture near the barn in the morning to the one across the road; then, in the evening they were brought back. It was during one of the crossings that Duke was hit. The little dog sign in front of the Drury, Ava, and Spickard homes that reads, “The Wrights” was made by Eldon.
Prior to Esta’s passing, Eldon had times where his mind “started to slip” as Esta wrote home or told us in phone calls as he often attempting to get out of bed because, “Pa needed me to go work in the pasture.” Even at this age, he retained much of his physical strength and it took more than one person to get him back in bed. He and Esta shared the same room at Sunnyview. Usually Grandma calmly talked him down and lovingly (although at times frustrated) brought him back to reality. He was fully aware as Esta’s health declined and that one day she was taken to a hospital. He kept asking, “Where is my wife? I want to see my wife,” and when she was to return? Sadly, he was helpless in this situation as she lingered a short time in the hospital where she passed away. He never saw her again once she left the room; consequently, a new male roommate was moved in. It is the heartbreaking reality of the end stages of life. Eldon’s health continued to decline and because of diabetes, both legs at differing times were amputated either above or below the knee. Without the bride of his youth at his side, he remained just 13 months longer before his homecoming.
As I said, he was considerably strong even in those last couple of years. The very last time that I was able to visit both of them, sitting to my left, he wrapped his right arm around my right upper arm and pulled me tight for a hug that I shall never forget. He embraced me so tight and not wanting to let go. Grandma was astute as I flinched a little from pain in my shoulder and said, “Eldon, let her go now. You’re hugging her too tight.” Now as a mature adult when I look at the picture that my dad took during this embrace, Grandpa certainly had many thoughts going through his head at that moment such as seeing me at different stages of my life and probably knowing that would be the last visit where we would see each other—–that he was hanging on to those moments as his hug lingered not in a mean way, just a bit longer than a normal embrace. And indeed, that particular trip with my dad was the last time I saw them both alive.
Stories from the Farm
Click on the title links below (in red) to read short stories recounting the lives of Eldon and Esta along with their son Paul (Harold). More will be added as they are composed.
Read of Paul’s adventures with Twinkle as well as other equine experiences from the Wright farm in Horse and Pony Tales.
Harold P. Wright’s Boyhood Stories recounts the antics of a sharp shooting knuckler’s school days in the learning environment of a one room school house and recess outdoors; pranking the neighbors; swimming holes and toys.
Stocking the Larder provides an accounting of the many methods of obtaining food whether provisions to eat anytime or “put up” as winter larder. Discussed within are tales of hand fishing, sharp shooting skills, preparing seedlings, foraging about the hillside to raising and slaughtering livestock as well as dehydrating and canning food plus much more.
Boiling it Down is a descriptive short story of Harold P. Wright’s experiences relating to the harvesting and processing of maple sap with his father (Eldon Wright) and grandfather (John Harvey Wright) along with their wives and his Aunt Mamie (John’s daughter). See more about the Wright family practice at The Wright Maple Syrup Legacypage.
Don your detective cap and help solve a mystery from The Schoolmarm and the One Room School House.
Census Data
Eldon was counted in a census in 1900 in Morgan Twsp, Mercer Co, Missouri. He was counted in a census in 1910 in Morgan Twsp, Mercer Co, Missouri. He was counted in a census in 1920 in Washington Twsp, Mercer Co, Missouri. He was counted in a census in 1930 in Ravanna Twsp, Mercer Co, Missouri. He was counted in a census in 1940 in Fox Creek, Harrison Co, Missouri. He worked as farmer in 1940. Provided by Glenda Wright.
Esta was counted in a census in 1920 in Washington Twsp, Mercer Co, Missouri. She was counted in a census in 1930 in Ravanna Twsp, Mercer Co, Missouri. She was counted in a census in 1940 in Fox Creek, Harrison Co, Missouri. Provided by Glenda Wright.
The 1930 census below lists Eldon, Esta, and Paul as living at the residence of Francis E. Weaver (64 years of age and born in Pennsylvania) in Ravanna, Mercer County. Eldon and Paul are listed as lodgers while Esta is listed as a servant. Then in 1940 is the Fox Creek Township residence. K. Wright-Wainer
Esta’s Ancestry
Esta’s Paternal Heritage Photo Gallery: Hamilton
Esta’s Hamilton Heritage includes highly detailed information on her father’s Hamilton ancestry as well as his life’s struggles that parallel the plight of his parents in mothers and/or babies losing their lives from the child birthing process. The Hamilton roots all the way to Ireland are revealed within plus patriots of the Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, and the Civil War. New pictures have been added to the corresponding slideshow of family members associated with this portion. Something very exciting is Find A Grave memorial links that also travel all the way back to the Hamilton’s Ireland origins. Special acknowledgement goes out to the following contributors: Donna Shipley-Zaiger, Maggie Cox-Russell, Michael Hamilton, and T. L. Hamiton. Thank you for your help in supplying much valuable information.
Scrapbook of Esta Hamilton-Wright View Esta’s own artistry, newspaper/magazine clippings, and fashion clippings from the early 1900s as wells as newspapers from the 1940s.
Esta’s Maternal Parentage Photo Gallery: Davis (Brown and Johnson)
Upcoming additions will include copies of hand written correspondences to Esta from her father Albert; Uncles Elmer and Alonzo; Aunts Milda, Sarah, and Ellen Hamilton. Plus, other family members and acquaintances including Emery Johnson; Eva Johnson-Sires: Maudie Davis- Power; and Edgar Power to name a few.
Esta Wright’s Obituaries and Funeral Card
Find A Grave Links
Eldon H. Wright ♥ Esta Altha Hamilton-Wright ♥ Harold Paul Wright
Esta’s Parents: Effie Davis-Hamilton ♥ Albert Dunn Hamilton
Effie’s Parents: Eunice Louise Brown-Davis-Johnson ♥ Joseph Davis ♥ Emery E. Johnson
Albert’s Parents: James Rile Hamilton ♥ Fidelia Ann Gibson-Hamilton
The memorial for James Hamilton carries back to Henry Hamilton, Sr. in Ireland. Research is underway for more information on Fidelia who appears to have passed away in the same year as Albert’s birth.
Please check back as this page continues to be developed.
Wright Family Genealogy Home 