MARCUS D. WRIGHT is truly one of the builders of Kootenai County. He was a prime mover in its organization in 1881 and was its first assessor and collector. In July of the same year he assisted to plat the town site of Rathdrum, being half owner. In the same year he established a general merchandise store there and has continued it until the present, being now one of the leading merchants of the northern part of the state. He has a branch establishment in Postfalls, and did own one at Saint Maries. Last year his business in the merchandise line footed one hundred and twenty thousand. In addition to this Mr. Wright has bought and sold much land and now has ten thousand acres in Kootenai County alone. Half of this vast estate is agricultural and the balance timber land. From 1886 until the present Mr. Wright has also been doing a large business in handling ties for the Northern Pacific. During these years that company has paid him over one million dollars for ties alone. At the present time Mr. Wright is handling, in addition to the mammoth enterprises mentioned, a large grading contract on the electric line from Spokane to Coeur d'Alene. These facts at once convey to the mind that the gentleman of whom we now have the pleasure to speak, is one of the heavy operators in various leading business lines in the northwest, and the unstinted success wrought out in every department of his large enterprises is due solely to the executive force, keen discrimination and sound methods of business possessed and used by Mr. Wright.

Reverting to the personal matter of his career we note that Marcus D. Wright was born in Kentucky on April 16, 1851, and is the son of John W. and Mary (Gipson) Wright, also natives of Kentucky. They were the parents of seven children, and six of them are still living. The father died in Illinois, aged sixty-four, but the mother is still living in Germantown, Kentucky. The first seventeen years of life were spent by our subject in his native state, and the educational training so useful in life was there obtained from the public schools. Then came a journey to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he made his home until his majority. In 1871 he went to Montana, and six years later went thence to Spokane, Washington. In 1881 he was found in what is now Kootenai County, and his career here has been one of leader all the time, wherein he has ever manifested both sterling worth and integrity, ever allying himself with those measures and movements which are for improvement.

In 1881 Mr. Wright married Miss Bertie Piper, a native of California, and to them were born eight children; Florence A., wife of M. F. Darling, of Dayton, Washington; May W., Elida R., Zella Z., John J., Bertie D., Stella H. and M. Gordon. On February 9, 1900, Mr. Wright was called to mourn the death of his faithful wife, and her remains rest in Pine Grove Cemetery at Rathdrum, Idaho.

On September 20, 1902, Mr. Wright married Mrs. Marie W. Bennett, stepdaughter of the late A. M. Cannon, of Spokane. Politically Mr. Wright is allied with the Democratic Party, and, while ever active in bringing good men to the front and in forwarding those measures, which are for the general welfare, he has never accepted office since the county got well under way.


Notes for MARCUS D. WRIGHT:

Occupying a place in the foremost ranks of those who have made a fortune in the development and exploitation of the timber lands of the west is Marcus D. Wright, who resides at Hayden Lake, Kootenai County, Idaho. A native of the Mississippi Valley, he came west in 1871 at the age of twenty years, his birth having occurred in Bowling Green, Kentucky, April 16, 1851. His parents were John W. and Mary (Gibson) Wright, the former a prominent Baptist minister of Kentucky.

Marcus D. Wright obtained his education in the common schools of Kentucky and at the age of sixteen years entered business life as a salesman for a pump concern in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was employed in this capacity for four years when he gave up his position and went west, locating in Montana. There he conducted a freighting business in summer and drove a stage during the winter for the following six years. In 1877 he accompanied General Sherman on his tour of inspection of all the frontier posts, covering the territory extending from Montana over the the old Mullen road to Walla Walla, Washington. Subsequently he resided in Colfax, Whitman County, Washington, where he drove a stage until 1878. In that year he came to Spokane and engaged in the livery business, buying out the stable owned by James N. Glover. In 1881 he gave up this enterprise and went to Idaho to look over the prospects for an investment in real estate. Finding a suitable tract of land, he purchased a half-interest in forty acres from C. W. Wood and on that site laid out the town of Westwood, now know as Rathdrum.

In conjunction with George B. Wannacott he called a meeting of the residents of this locality and organized Kootenai County. He was appointed the first assessor and tax collector, as well as deputy sheriff, serving in these positions until the first general elections of the county. In October, 1881, during the great mining excitement in this section of the country, Mr. Wright took the first pack train into Pritchard Creek, Eagle City, Idaho. Two years later he engaged in business at Rathdrum, Idaho, conducting a general mercantile establishment and also contracting to railroads for the sale of timber and ties. The latter branch of his business increased so rapidly that he discontinued his general mercantile establishment and has since that time concentrated his entire attention upon the lumber business, furnishing lumber supplies mainly to the Northern Pacific Railroad. Within the last twenty-three years he has supplied approximately twenty million ties which, at a rough estimate, would be sufficient, if laid end to end, to circle the globe. He was also financially interested in the First National Bank of Coeur d'Alene, of which he was president for several years, resigning in 1910 in order to devote his undivided attention to his lumber interests.

On March 18, 1881, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Bertie Piper, a daughter of Dr. John J. Piper, of Peone Prairie, Washington, who was for twelve years one of the county commissions of Spokane County, Washington. Mrs. Wright passed away in 1901, being survived by her husband and seven children, two sons and five daughters. In 1902 Mr. Wright was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Marie Bennett, a step-daughter of A. M. Cannon of Spokane, Washington. Fraternally Mr. Wright is connected the the Elks Lodge, No. 228 of Spokane; the Knights of Pythias of Coeur d'Alene; and the Odd Fellows of Coeur d'Alene.

The Wright home is known as one of the handsome residences of this locality, being situated at Hayden Lake, on one of the finest farms in the state of Idaho, a tract of land comprising about six hundred acres. It contains a fish preserve covering an area equivalent to one hundred and sixty acres, which is filled with black bass and trout, and affords some of the finest opportunities for fishing in the state. Never losing sight of the goal which lay before him, Mr. Wright has been steadfast in he pursuit of his ideals and by dint of close application and unceasing effort has won his reward in the generous measure of success which has been his.

Marcus D. Wright. The history of Idaho .would be by no means complete without a record of that splendid pioneer of Kootenai county and founder of Rathdrum, who since 1903 has been such a valuable addition to the citizenship of Coeur d'Alene. Esteemed not merely for his abundant material resources and his historic importance in the community, it is the sterling honor of Marcus D. Wright that is his greatest asset in the eyes of his neighbors and acquamtances, every one of whom is an admirer and friend.
Marcus D. Wright is a son of the Reverend John W. Wright, a Baptist clergyman of Kentucky, an author of a number of published books and a Mason of prominence in his locality and period. Mrs. John W. Wright, Marcus Wright's mother, was in her girlhood Miss Mary Gipson, a native of the Blue Grass state, which was the scene of her marriage and her early domestic life. In Warren county of that state, Marcus D. Wright, the fourth child of seven and the only son of his parents, was born on the 16th day of April, in 1851. Until about the age of fifteen he remained in his native community, which was the home of his parents through the greater part of their lives. The father lived to the age of sixty-four, passing from this life in 1880; and the mother's earthly life closed in 1898, when she had passed her eighty-seventh milestone.
Destined to move by degrees to the westward, Marcus Wright as a youth became a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri, where he remained for four years, variously employed at useful occupations. His ambitions, however, were larger than his opportunities, which he knew might be improved in the newer country that lay toward the setting sun. He therefore traveled overland to Corinne, Utah, where he engaged in the freighting business, driving a twelve-mule team. His route lay between Corinne, Utah, and Salmon City, Idaho, also reaching various points in Montana. The region traversed by young Marcus Wright was a wild one in those days and many were the skirmishes with the Indians which fell to his lot during the seven years that he spent in this occupation. While conducting his freighting business, he also was interested in mining operations and altogether made an excellent financial success of that period of his activity.
In 1877 Mr. Wright again advanced further west, settling at Boise, thus adopting Idaho as his home. He has ever since maintained his home within her borders, with the exception of three years spent in Spokane in livery and stage business. From the year 1881 he has had an ever-increasing and active interest in the commonwealth that has since become so progressive a state.
It was at that time—1881—that he entered a homestead in the locality adjoining the present site of Rathdrum. During his residence there he located the original townsite, being the owner of half the land upon which it was built. He was a leader in organizing the corporation and was primarily active in the affairs of the town. He built one of its first stores and was one of its first merchants. When Kootenai county was organized he was in the forefront of activity in all that promoted systematic management of her affairs and facilitated civic matters for the residents of the community. Mr. Wright was Kootenai's first assessor and first tax collector, continuing for many years as one of the most prominent officials of the county.
Though always deeply interested in public affairs, Mr. Wright's personal affairs have been skillfully managed and have prospered to an unusual degree. He became one of the leading merchants of his part of the state, not only having a flourishing store in Rathdrum but also establishing branch stores in St. Maries and later one in Post Falls. He bought and sold lands until he was the owner of twenty-five thousand acres in Kootenai county alone. He handled railroad ties for the Northern Pacific Railway Company, receiving from that organization more than seven million dollars for,ties alone. One of his chief lines of business was contracting, among which enterprises was that of grading for the electric line between Spokane and Coeur d,Alene.
In 1903 Mr. Wright came to the last-named city as a permanent resident. Here he established his present business of real estate and lumber operations, which are very extensive. He owns two sawmills and handles his own property through his real estate firms. He owns much valuable property in this district, including Wright Park, which adjoins Hayden Lake. He is the possessor of a large ranch nine miles north of Coeur d'Alene and resides on that estate, going daily in his motor car to and from the city to attend to his business interests there. These are numerous and varied, including connection with the First National Bank, of which for several years he was president.
The memorable year in which Mr. Wright was so active in the establishing of Kootenai county was also notable as the year of his marriage. His union with Miss Bertie Piper was blessed with eight children. The eldest, Florence A., became Mrs. M. F. Darling, of Dayton, Washington. Mary W. is now Mrs. H. D. Edmonds, of Wyoming; Elida R. is now Mrs. M. S. Anderson of Los Angeles, California; Zella Z. is now Mrs. W. L. De Merchant, of Spokane. Washington; John J., of Coeur dAlene; Bertie D., at home; Stella H., deceased; and M. Gordon, at home. The mother of these sons and daughters passed to another world on February 9, 1900. Mr. Wright was remarried in September 20, 1902, the present Mrs. Wright having been well known in Spokane as Mrs. Marie Bennett, a stepdaughter of the late A. M. Cannon, of- that place.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright's religious interests are broad and inclusive, the Baptist church, however, claiming their attention more than others. Mrs. Wright is active in club and social life in the city, while her husband is a valued member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Knights of Pythias and of the Coeur d'Alene Commercial Club. The Democratic party is the political camp with which Mr. Wright is connected and he has been always active in public affairs. He was for some time a member of the city council of Coeur d,Alene and is particularly energetic in bringing other able men to the front in civic affairs. He is deeply interested in all affairs that mean a better city or a better county, and is remembered by Rathdrum citizens as a most efficient member, for a long term of years, of the board of education of that place. Although his way to affluence has been to a great extent along the pathway of rough pioneer life. Mr. Wright has a deep appreciation for culture in all its forms and his beautiful home is graced by all desirable appointments. Remarkably capable, unusually successful, exceptionably honorable, Marcus D. Wright deserves the hearty good-will accorded him by the county and the communities he has been so largely instrumental in creating.

The Spokesman-Review - Feb 24, 1916

M. D. WRIGHT SUCCUMBS

LAID OUT RATHDRUM TOWN SITE - WAS "TIE KING"

Engaged in Varied Occupations - Homes at Coeur d'Alene and Hayden Lake.

Marcus D. Wright, 65, pioneer stage driver, merchant and lumberman of the northwest, died at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, yesterday. Mr. Wright was well known in Spokane, where he made his home for many years, and was among the contractors who supplied large orders for poles and ties placed by railway companies. During the last few years he had lived at Hayden Lake, where he has a beautiful home, a farm of 600 acres and a fish preserve.

Mr. Wright laid out the town site of Rathdrum, Idaho, and it was at his call that the first body of citizens came together for the organization of Kootenai county. He was subsequently chosen as the first assessor and tax collector of the county, and also served for several years as deputy sheriff. He had been a resident of the northwest since 1877, when he accompanied General Sherman on an inspection trip to western Army posts. The following year he entered the livery business in Spokane. For a time, he lived in Colfax, and drove stage. When the first mining excitement in 1882 occurred in Pritchard creed, near Eagle City, Idaho, Mr. Wright took the first pack train to that camp.

In 1884, he entered the mercantile business at Rathdrum, the town which he had founded. He engaged in supplying timber for railroad construction as a secondary interest until this later business grew to such proportions that he could devote his entire energy to it. He was known as the "tie king". He was financially interested in the First National Bank of Coeur d'Alene, and for several years was its president, resigning six years ago to give his time exclusively to lumbering. Mr. Wright was one of the owners of the Alan race track.

His death occurred between 1 and 2 a.m. at his residence, 701 Lakeside Avenue, from bladder and kidney trouble, his illness dating back to February 1.

Funeral arrangements will be in charge of the Coeur d'Alene Elks, but the services will take place at the Elks' temple here, he having been a member of the Spokane lodge.

Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

He is survived by the widow and the following children; Mrs. M. F. Darling of Los Angeles; Mrs. H. D. Edmonds of Powell, Wyoming; Mrs. Elida Anderson of Seattle, WA.; Mrs. J. W. DeMerchant of Los Angeles; Bertie DeWright of Scranton PA.; J. J. and M. Gordon Wright of Coeur d'Alene.

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Spokane Daily Chronicle - Feb 23, 1916

M D WRIGHT DIES AT COEUR D'ALENE

Was a Well Known Pioneer of Inland Empire - The Funeral to Be Saturday.

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, February 23 - The death of Marcus D. Wright, well known pioneer of the Inland Empire country and early day resident of Coeur d'Alene, occurred last night at the family residence, 701 Lakeside Avenue, at 1:30 o'clock from Bright's disease and complications. He was 64 years old.

Surviving are the widow of this city, five daughters and two sons, all of whom were present at the last hour, as follows; Mrs. Della DeMerchant and Mrs. Mort Darling of Los Angeles; Miss Berta Wright of Scranton, PA.; Mrs. Saida Anderson of Seattle and Mrs. May Edward of Powell Wyoming; Jay J. and Gordon Wright, the two sons of this city.

Funeral services will probably be held from the residence on Saturday, final arrangements being pending, the remains being held at the Luce Undertaking parlors in this city.