Hawthorne, Julian, Ed. History of Washington the Evergreen State: From Early Dawn to Daylight. Vol. 2. New York: American Historical Publishing Co., 1893. p. 672. WRIGHT, THOMAS B., of Ellensburg, County Clerk of Kittitas County, was born in the County of Devon, England, some thirty-seven years ago; he was the fifth in a family of ten children born to John and Jane Wright. Educated in the public schools both of his native and adopted land, though for the most part self-taught, young Wright began the business of life as a coal-miner in St. Clair County, Ill. Two years of this was enough, and he left it to engage in steamboating on the Ohio and Mississippi. In 1878 he migrated to Colorado and became a prospector, afterward following various occupations in that State, Arizona, and California for twelve years. In 1882 he came to Washington Territory and located in Pierce County, taking the position of Foreman in the Prospecting Department of the Carbon Hill Coal Company. He remained with this company until 1886, when he removed to Roslyn and prospected for coal at that place. Coming to Ellensburg, he was elected County Clerk of Kittitas County, and filled this position for the years 1889-92, proving himself a capable and efficient public officer. He was married din 1889 at Tacoma to Miss S. A. Coombe, a native of South Wales. they have two children. Mr. Wright has a pleasant city home, and is the owner of other property in various parts of the State, including valuable coal lands in the vicinity of Roslyn. Fraternally he is a Knights-Templar and a Knight of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican. He is a clear- headed man, who does the right thing at the right time almost intuitively. Submitted by: Jenny Tenlen * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.