John C. Wright, deceased, was an early settler of Walla Walla county, Washington, and engaged in farming here for many years. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, April 2, 1843, a son of Alexander and Jeannette Wright, both of whom passed away in the Empire state.
John C. Wright was reared at home and received his education in the public schools. As soon as he was old enough he went to work on the lake boats and was so employed until he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company L, Second Minnesota Cavalry. He was with the colors for three years and was then mustered out of the military service at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. In 1878 he and his wife came to the Pacific northwest, locating in Walla Walla county, Washington, where he took up a tree claim of one hundred and sixty acres. He subsequently purchased additional land and gave his entire time and attention to his farm work. He was successful, harvesting abundant crops, for which he found a ready sale, and as time passed his resources steadily increased. His widow still owns two hundred and eighty acres of excellent land with good improvements and derives a gratifying income from the rent of that property.
Mr. Wright married Mrs. Sallie Vangilder and to them were born three children: Emma Strand, a resident of Spokane, Washington; and two who died in infancy. In 1871 the wife and mother passed away and in 1872 Mr. Wright was again married, choosing as his wife Miss Carrie Griffin, a native of Vermont and a daughter of Daniel and Rhoda (Fullington) Griffin, natives respectively of New Hampshire and of Canada. In 1862 the family removed to Minnesota and there the father died, but the mother subsequently went to Kansas, where she spent her last days. To them were born eight children, of whom only two survive. Mr. and Mrs. Wright became the parents of eight children, of whom the first three died in infancy, the others being: Ada, who is married; Burt C., who is at home with his mother; Myrtle, the wife of Otis Denny; Carrie, who married Leigh Homer, of Montana; and Jack C., a railroad agent.
Mr. Wright was interested in public affairs and well informed on political issues but he never had the time nor inclination to hold office. His was a quiet, unostentatious life, marked by careful attention to his affairs, by the support of movements seeking the general good and by uncompromising honesty at all times. He passed away in 1898 and those who knew him well still cherish his memory.
CHARLES B. LAMBERT.
An eventful career is that of Charles B. Lambert, who, of Swedish birth, spent some time as a sailor on the high seas and also sojourned for a period in Alaska. He is now living a less spectacular but none the less useful life as an architect and contractor of Walla Walla and in professional circles has gained for himself a creditable position. Born in Sweden on the 6th of April, 1871, he is a son of August and Louise (Von Bose) Lambert, both of whom were natives of Sweden, where the mother passed away but the father is still living. In their family were five children, three of whom survive.
Charles B. Lambert was reared and educated in Sweden, where he attended the common schools until he reached the age of fourteen years. Desirous then of providing for his own support, he went to sea and spent three years as cabin boy and sailor. At the age of seventeen he returned to his native country and took up the study of architecture, to which he devoted two years, having thorough training in that regard. It was in the year 1890 that Mr. Lambert sailed for the new world, hoping to find better business opportunities on this side of the Atlantic. He landed in New York city, where he was employed for a time and later went to Chicago and to St. Paul, continuing in architectural work in these different cities. In 1897 he made his way to Alaska, where he remained for a year and a half, and in 1898 he arrived in Walla Walla, where he embarked in business on his own account. He has since become widely and prominently known as an architect and contractor and his skill and ability are manifest in many of the most substantial structures found in this city and through the surrounding district. The attractiveness of his plans has added much to the beauty of Walla Walla and in the erection of buildings he studies closely utility, comfort and convenience as well as the attractive exterior.
In 1901 Mr. Lambert was married to Miss Alma O. Jones, a native of Sweden, and they became the parents of two children: Ruth L., who is now a high school student; and Edith E. The family occupy an attractive residence which Mr. Lambert owns. He is prominent in Masonic circles, having taken all the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites up to and including the thirty-second degree in the consistory, and he is now eminent commander of the Knights Templar commandery. He also has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His study of the questions and issues of the day has led him to give his political endorsement to the republican party. He is a man of high personal worth and marked professional ability and a most progressive citizen who exemplifies in his life the spirit of western enterprise, progress and successful accomplishment.