John Wright (c1832- ), Locomotive Superintendent of the South Devon Railway
c1832 Born at Tatham Rectory, Lancashire, the son of Rev. John Marsden Wright and his wife Mary Lea Salisbury (Married 1829). Brother of William Wright (1844-1880), District Engineer of the Cornwall Railway
1851 Living at 14 Farringdon, Swindon: Henry Watmore (age 37 born Basingstoke), Smith (Iron). Also a lodger John Wright (age 19 born Tatham, Lancs.), Engineer's Pupil. Also a visitor.[1]
1858 Report. '...a letter from Mr. John Wright, superintendent the locomotive department. at Newton, was read, offering, on the part of Messrs. Evans and Co., the following propositions for the supply water to the Newton station...'[2]
1861 Living at Teyn View, Highweek, Newton Abbot: John Wright (age 29 born Tatham Rectory, Lancs.), Engineer. With his wife Mary J. Wright (age 28 born Elcombe Hall, Wilts.) and their son Henry S. Wright (age 2 born Highweek). Also his brother William Wright (age 17 born Tatham Rectory, Lancs.). Also a visitor. Three servants.[3]
1866 Report. '...The South Devon, Cornwall, and West Cornwall Railways, 214.5 miles, have since 1st July been worked for locomotive purposes as one railway. The directors have appointed Mr John Wright, the locomotive superintendent of the three lines. Wright has for several years had the entire charge of that department on the South Devon and Cornwall Railways for Messrs Evans and Co., the late locomotive contractors....'[4]
1875 Elected member of the ICE. Of the South Devon Railway, Newton Abbot.
1881 Living at 10 Powderham Terrace, East Teignmouth: John Wright (age 49 born Tatham, Lancs.), Mechanical Engineer - Married. With his son Henry S. Wright (age 22 born Newton Bushel, Devon) and daughter Eleanor J. Wright (age 19 born Newton Bushel, Devon). Three servants.[5]
1886 Listed by ICE as of Teign View, Newton Abbot
1896 Member of ICE, at Newton Abbot
1901 Living at Teign View, Highweek, Newton Abbot: John Wright (age 69 born Tatham, Lancs.), Steam Saw Mill Proprietor and Wood Case Manufacturer. Employer - Widower. With his son Henry S. Wright (age 42 born Newton Abbot), Private Secretary, and his daughter Eleanor Jessie Wright (age 36 born Newton Abbot). Also two visitors. Two servants.[6]
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Surveyed (presumably as chief engineer) the Rhymney Railway, the Maidstone and Ashford Railway, and the Loose Valley Railway.
Engineer of the South Eastern Railway