Dana Wright Collection of Papers

Collection

Identifier: SC 32

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, research paper relating to Wright's career, including his activities with State Historical Society of North Dakota, histories, copies of his research concerning North Dakota military trails, "The Old Trails" by Wright, and newspaper clippings.

Dates

1930-1964

Creator

Wright, Dana, 1878-1964. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives.

Biography

Dana Monroe Wright was born on August 30, 1878 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. He moved with his parents to farm near Jamestown in 1882, and left that area in 1898 to enlist in the North Dakota National Guard. Wright served in the military during the Spanish-American War in the Philippines and later in the Mexican Border War and World War I. In 1902 he was promoted to Corporal in the National Guard; in 1903 to Sergeant; in 1904 to 1st Lieutenant; in 1906 to Captain; in 1913 to Major; was Post Commander at Fort Lincoln in 1917; and ended his career as Lieutenant Colonel. He participated with his Company in the National Rifle Matches for several years.

Wright had a variety of jobs between his active duty military service. After returning to the United States from the Philippines, he taught school at Sydney, North Dakota and then homesteaded at Montpelier, North Dakota. In 1902, he became an employee of the Northern Pacific as a fireman and locomotive engineer and held that position for ten years. Wright was elected sheriff of Stutsman County in 1913 and in 1917 served in the State House of Representatives. After World War I, he was elected to another term as county sheriff. He was hired in 1927 by the U.S. Customs Service and was posted on the Canadian border near St. John, North Dakota. Wright retired from the customs service in 1941 and became a game warden and custodian of the state game farm through 1949.

Dana M. Wright was elected a director of the State Historical Society Board in 1915; later, as chairman of the State Parks Committee, he had the responsibility of locating sites of historical interest. Wright wrote articles concerning North Dakota history which were published in the Society's historical quarterly and by a number of newspapers. The reorganization of the State Historical Society resulted in his resignation from the Board in 1962.

Dana Wright married Sybella Henderson Pearson on May 4, 1904. They had four children: Sybella Luneta, Sivilla Jeanne, Jean Laurie, and Monroe Dana. Dana M. Wright died on February 16, 1964 in Rolla, North Dakota. Biography copied from the Dana Wright Photograph Collection finding aid at the State Historical Society of North Dakota: https://www.history.nd.gov/archives/manuscripts/inventory/00101.html

Extent

21 Items (21 items.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Provenance

Deposited, in part, by Dana Wright, 1953. (Acc. 32)

Separation Record

2 Photographs in the Institute Photograph Collection:

Photo SC 32.1 Lake Jessie marker, 1959 (half tone image) Photo SC 32.2 Cut Thumb Butte – 23 mi. east of New Rockford, N.D.