Charles Barstow Wright

Charles Barstow Wright (January 8, 1822 – March 24, 1898) was an American financier.

Biography Wright was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1822. He started in business at 15, and at 19 was taken as a partner by his employer. In 1843, he received from the Towanda Bank a trust of landed interests in the then small town of Chicago, and in two years, he not only fulfilled this mission successfully but realized handsome profits in Chicago real estate for himself.

He married Cordelia Williams in 1848. In 1858, he remarried to Susan Townsend.

In 1874, he took part in founding the city of Tacoma, Washington. and Washington College for boys, and was noted for his generosity to young men.

He died at his home in Philadelphia on March 24, 1898.

Charles Wright Academy in University Place was named in his honor, as was Tacoma's Wright Park Arboretum.