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H.F. Wright Passes Over Borderland
Succumbs to Dropsy and Uraemic Poisoning on Thursday Evening - Was a Good Man

A character well-known to every man, woman and child who has lived any time in Santa Cruz passed over the borderland called death on Thursday evening, in the person of Henry F. Wright.

Mr. Wright had only been down sick a week, but had been ailing with dropsy and fatty heart ever since last April. Four days ago the skin of one of his limbs gave way and this in dropsy is the beginning of the end, which came quietly and peacefully to one of the best men, kindest neighbors and loving husbands that Santa Cruz can boast. He leaves a widow, Mr. H.F. Wright, who is well known in church and society and their only son, Henry F. Wright, Jr. aged 6. Mrs. Wright has telegraphed to his relatives in the East for their advise about the disposal of the remains, which will likely be cremated.

Deceased was born in Boston Mass., 61 years ago. He came of a well-known New England family and his father was a chair manufacturer for 50 years in Gardner, Mass. The Heywood brothers of Heywood Bros & Wakefield, of San Francisco, are his first cousins, and the family has been in the chair making business for generations.

Mr. Wright came to California in 1863, when he was 19 years old. He was in business here for a long time, until he went back East in 1890 remaining there for 10 years. There he married Mrs. Wright and returned to California with his wife and son in 1899. It is not generally known, but Mr. Wright as a civil war veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy during the war on board of both the "Stars and Stripes" and the "St. Lawrence."

He was associated in business with the Merrills for a number of years and latterly has been barkeeper for Tom Armstrong on Pacific Av. Many will be the sincere regrets at the taking off of Mr. Wright. As his wife said on Thursday night, "he was one of the best men that ever lived," and what more can be said of one who has lived up to his highest ideals, been a true friend, a good neighbor, and a good citizen.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (October 28, 1905)

Body Will Be Cremated.

The local G.A.R. and Rev Hare will jointly conduct the service over the remains of Henry F. Wright on Sunday afternoon. The remains will be shipped to Cypress Lawn cemetery for cremation.

Date of Birth: 1844

Date of Death: 1905-26-10

County: San Francisco

Cause of Death: Strk/Related

Occupation: Mfg/Chair

Religion: Co

Local Address: Lincoln St 104

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: MA

Military Unit: USN_ USS St.Lawrence

Rank: Smn

Military Notes: USS Stars & Stripes

GAR#: R98

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1905/10/27