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George W. Wright — soldier, educator, businessman, legislator — was born to a pioneer family on July 18, 1841. He attended the old Mercer Academy and Allegheny College and began teaching at the age of 16 to pay for his college. He taught school in Kentucky and Tennessee in years 1859 and 1860.

He was in the South at the time of John Brown’s raid at Harpers Ferry and enlisted in Company I, 10th Pennsylvania Reserves where he served two years in the Civil War. After the Civil War he was in the oil business in Venango County and then had a manufacturing concern in Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania.

He served as Mercer County Recorder of Deeds for four years in the 1870s and served one term as State Senator. He became a Mercer County Trust Company Director and was President of the Board of Farmers and Mechanics National Bank. He was then appointed Superintendent of the Mercer Soldiers Orphan School, a post he held for 20 years.

He was a member of the Mercer Methodist Church and donated the bell that is currently at the church.

George W. Wright died February 22, 1921. Following his death, a trust was established so the income may be loaned to deserving young people for the purpose of education. His Will provided that the Trust be overseen by three Trustees.

George W. Wright — soldier, educator, businessman, legislator — even today continues to educate young people.

2022-02-11 GWW Brochure