David Sanders Wright (1887-1967)-W1 1911-1940

Alright, let’s move on to the years 1911-1940.  This period marks the growth of his family and tragic loss of his wife.

1911-1920

David Sanders Wright

David Sanders Wright
on Right

The city directories show he had gotten a job as a teacher in 1911 and worked as one until retirement.  From 1911 to at least 1915 the city directories have him living at 67 West St and working as a teacher. Sometime between 1915 and 1917 he moved to Great Barington, MA as his draft card has him living at 50 Dresser Ave, Great Barrington, MA and working as a teacher for the Town of Great Barringtion.  He is described as being short, of medium build, with brown eyes and slightly balding brown hair.

Chivales East Hospital

On May 1st, 1918 he was called up and served in the U.S. Army during World War I. I don’t have much on his time in the army but suspect he was stationed at a hospital in England based on a picture we have.  The photo is title Chivales East Hospital but I don’t know where that was. He completed his service on July 1st, 1919.  This is an area of his life I plan on looking into more.

Florence Edna Smith

The wedding of David Sanders Wright
and Florence Edna Smith

He returned from the war and married Florence Edna Smith (S1) on August 16th, 1919 in Great Barrington, MA.  By 1920, they had moved back to Northampton.  The 1920 census has them renting rooms at 101 West Street and David S. was teaching at the high school.  During that year they had their first daughter and moved back into the 67 West Street house.

David Sanders Wright and
Florence Edna Smith

Their Youngest Daughter-Age 1

1921-1930

David Sanders Wright,
Florence Edna Smith
and their oldest children-abt 1928

The family remained at 67 West Street and David S. was a teacher at the high school throughout the 1930s.  Their son, David Joy Wright (1922-1991) was born in 1922.  Charles Merrick (1924-2008) was born in 1924.  Their third son was born in 1927.  

In the 1930 Census, David S. is listed as being 42 and a teacher at the public school.  He is marked as a World War I Veteran.  The entire family is living at the 67 West Street house and David is renting the house for $30.00.  I assume he is renting from his mother who is also living in the house, but they don’t show that she owns the house and no property value is given.  Their last daughter was born later in 1930 and therefore doesn’t show up in the 1930 census.

1931-1940

The family seems to have managed the first part of the Great Depression pretty well.  The city directories show David S. continuing to teach at the high school.  That all changed with a series of tragedies from 1936 onward. On February 24th, 1936, David’s mother past away.  The next year, on November 28th, 1937, David lost his wife Florence Edna Smith to Pneumonia.  Two day later, her mother-in-law past away as well.

The 1940 census shows David S.  living with his five children and brother at the 67 West St. house.  He now owns the house and it is valued at $9400.  That is a Real Value of $312,000 today.  Given that the house has been torn down and an apartment building is now there I am not going to try and get the current value of the property.  He worked 35 hours the week previous to the census and for 40 weeks in 1939.  This is likely due to his schedule as a teacher.  His salary for the year was $2300 which translates to $104,000 today.  If you’re wondering how I am calculating these figures, check out Measuring Worth.

Sources:

• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, Northampton, MA-1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1031,1932, 1933, 1934, 
• 1920 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1920; Census Place: Northampton Ward 2, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T625_705; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 165; Image: 646.
• 1930 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1930; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 912; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 27; Image: 638.0; FHL microfilm: 2340647.
• 1940 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1940; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T627_1599; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 8-40.
• U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Database online. Registration Location: Berkshire County, Massachusetts; Roll: ; Draft Board: . Record for David S Wright
• U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010: 
• Massachusetts, Marriage Index, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970: Vol 36, Pg 364