Volume 016-3 - July 1962 (2 pages)

the Treasury under President Lincoln. Doctor Chase died in Downieville in 1878. Doctor Chase’s daughter Abba, not having seen her father for sixteen years, came out to Downieville in 1867 and lived with her father for ten years. Father and daughter ‘were active in musical, and literary circles and were members of the Athenian Society. Miss Chase has left the following brief statement. “I was born in Lyndon, Caledonia Co., Vermont on April 1845. Mr mother (Maria Field Chase) died of ‘Scarlet Fever’? when I was three weeks old. My father’s sister took care of me till I was old enough to care for myself. When I was six, father came to California, being persuaded by a brother then living in California, to come out. He expected to be gone from Vermont only a year or so and come back with a fortune but he loaned or gave money away so that he was never able to return. At seventeen, I commenced teaching school. I taught five years then had a severe attack of lung fever. The attending physician said I must never teach again and that only a sea voyage would save my life. I then came to California via the Isthmus and spent the ten happiest years of my life with father in Downieville. United with the Methodist Church there of whom father was already a member and leader of the choir. Father died in 1878. In 1879, I moved to Oakland to be near father's old friends but the climate did not agree with me and I came to Grass Valley in 1883 to be near my cousins Mrs. Newton and Mrs. Stephen Moore. My nurse came with me. After boarding a few weeks with Mrs. Moore on School Street (where Mrs. Stocks lives now) we found going up and down stairs too much for my strength. Just then we heard a Mr. Wright had rooms to rent so my nurse and I took rooms in his house. The next year he and I were married and built the house where I have lived ever since.” This historical resume was written on a paper wrapper with Mrs. Wright's address as 436 W. Main St. It carries the date of January 1925. The house still stands. The architecture is the same. The building has been well cared for. Gilman Wright and Abba M. Chase were married November 27th, 1884. Mr. Wright was a wheelwright and had a shop on Mill Street about opposite the Lola Montez house. After about eleven years, during which time Mr. Wright built the home at 436 West Main Street and enjoyed an active, friendly life in the Congregational circle, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, was completely paralized on the left side, and died in 1895. We came to know “‘Auntie’’ Wright about 1892. She was such a sweet, considerate lady, deeply religious and lived the part. She felt it her duty to spread the Word and never missed the opportunity to mention her religion to whomever she came in contact. There were those who did not appreciate her desire to help those friends to a better life. She spoke in a soft, well modulated voice. One, when in her presence, felt he should not speak much above a whisper. Now, being left entirely alone, Mrs. Wright devoted her entire activities to her church. ‘‘Auntie’’ Wright was quite literary. She enjoyed reading and read a great deal. Her library covered nearly one whole wall of her living room. She indulged in a little writing of poetry. Some of the poems are still in existence. There are such titles as ‘“‘A Response”’, “Vox Crucis" (1894) ‘‘In Memory of Mrs. J. M. Thomas" (1904). As an aside, one recalls that Mrs. Thomas was the mother of Clarence Thomas who was the first casualty of the U.S. Navy in World War I and for -whom the Thomas-Hagerty American Legion Post was named. ‘Auntie’ Wright also did a little prose writing. “The Terrible Fright’’ is one story that pertains to two children peeking into a forbidden room and seeing a skeleton. One wonders if this may be a memory of Abba Chase and her doctor father. There are existing programs that show Mrs. Wright was active in the community religious educational circles. It was the custom to hold an annual Nevada County Sunday School convention. They were held in the Methodist Church of Nevada City. In 1884, it was Miss Abbie Chase who read a paper. In 1885, it was Mrs. Gilman Wright who had a leading part on the program. This devotion to teaching was continued despite the eastern doctor's admonition that the young Miss Chase must never teach again. She did some public school teaching after becoming a resident of Grass Valley and later devoted her teaching ability to an adult Sunday School Class in the Congregational Church. Mrs. Wright served in this capacity for over 40 years. She rarely missed a Sunday, rain or shine. She spent days preparing for her class. She gathered material. She read noted authorities to the ladies. The attendance for her class was high. Many of the prominent families were represented in this class and the influence of ‘‘Auntie’’ Wright was widespread. If anyone was in trouble, “‘Auntie’’ Wright Heme of 436 W. Main St., G. V. would make it her business to learn the facts and do anything in her power to be of help and, when necessary, she would appeal to someone for assistance and seldom failed to obtain the generous services asked for to help the needy. Also, she would have individuals and groups meet at her home, during the week, to discuss problems and plan solutions. She was mentor and councilor to many persons and there was a sizeable group whose members were devoted to ‘“‘Auntie’” Wright. To some, it was a satisfying event to sit in her livingroom and listen to the pleasing words and the wholesome advice of this devoted lady who spent every day seeking to raise the level of ethics in the lives of whomever she came in contact. And it was a worthwhile hour to sit in the homey room and listen to ‘‘Auntie’’ Wright tell of her experiences in the east such as her home in Lyndon, Vermont and later in Macob, Illinois where she met and shook hands with Abraham Lincoln, or events in Downieville during those exciting days in the 1870's. Because of her abundant reading, ‘Auntie’ Wright could tell thrilling stores of the lives and activities of prominent national persons, political, musical, literary and in science. There were no smooth concrete sidewalks in Grass Valley in the early days. It must have been somewhat of a task to walk down and up Main Street from School to High Street. Yet this rather frail lady probably made the trip several times a week for nearly fifty years. One may presume that such physical activity can be responsible for longevity. After the many years of active physical effort, ‘Auntie’ Wright was able to walk, climb stairs and tend her garden during her declining years. The only complaint, in the late years was “I seem to tire more readily”. Even with her failing strength and health, Mrs. Wright attended church as often as she could. Kind friends frequently offered her transportation, which was thankfully accepted. “Auntie” Wright kept herself informed of current events and the progress of the times. Aviation really had its start in Grass Valley. It was in 1908 that the Gilmore Airport is supposed to have been the first commercial airport in the United States. In the early aviation days it was the custom to hold air circuses or flying exhibits at various airports. One was held at the Gilmore Airport about 1928 and flights aloft were offered the audience. Among those present was ‘‘Auntie’’ Wright and she was given an airplane ride after her 8th birthday. To her it was the thrill of a lifetime. Time exacts its toll. In the year 1932, “Auntie Wright became more feeble. One devoted woman friend divided the hours of each day between her family and the care of ‘‘Auntie’ Wright. Then came the time when the patient needed constant attention and this true friend spent all of each day caring for ‘‘Auntie’’. Following her 88th birthday, ‘‘Auntie’ Wright slowly weakened and, on the 13th of May 1932, her eyes closed for the last time. “Auntie” Wright's was a rich life. Here

the Treasury under President Lincoln. Doctor Chase died in Downieville in 1878. Doctor Chase’s daughter Abba, not having seen her father for sixteen years, came out to Downieville in 1867 and lived with her father for ten years. Father and daughter ‘were active in musical, and literary circles and were members of the Athenian Society. Miss Chase has left the following brief statement. “I was born in Lyndon, Caledonia Co., Vermont on April 1845. Mr mother (Maria Field Chase) died of ‘Scarlet Fever’? when I was three weeks old. My father’s sister took care of me till I was old enough to care for myself. When I was six, father came to California, being persuaded by a brother then living in California, to come out. He expected to be gone from Vermont only a year or so and come back with a fortune but he loaned or gave money away so that he was never able to return. At seventeen, I commenced teaching school. I taught five years then had a severe attack of lung fever. The attending physician said I must never teach again and that only a sea voyage would save my life. I then came to California via the Isthmus and spent the ten happiest years of my life with father in Downieville. United with the Methodist Church there of whom father was already a member and leader of the choir. Father died in 1878. In 1879, I moved to Oakland to be near father's old friends but the climate did not agree with me and I came to Grass Valley in 1883 to be near my cousins Mrs. Newton and Mrs. Stephen Moore. My nurse came with me. After boarding a few weeks with Mrs. Moore on School Street (where Mrs. Stocks lives now) we found going up and down stairs too much for my strength. Just then we heard a Mr. Wright had rooms to rent so my nurse and I took rooms in his house. The next year he and I were married and built the house where I have lived ever since.” This historical resume was written on a paper wrapper with Mrs. Wright's address as 436 W. Main St. It carries the date of January 1925. The house still stands. The architecture is the same. The building has been well cared for. Gilman Wright and Abba M. Chase were married November 27th, 1884. Mr. Wright was a wheelwright and had a shop on Mill Street about opposite the Lola Montez house. After about eleven years, during which time Mr. Wright built the home at 436 West Main Street and enjoyed an active, friendly life in the Congregational circle, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, was completely paralized on the left side, and died in 1895. We came to know “‘Auntie’’ Wright about 1892. She was such a sweet, considerate lady, deeply religious and lived the part. She felt it her duty to spread the Word and never missed the opportunity to mention her religion to whomever she came in contact. There were those who did not appreciate her desire to help those friends to a better life. She spoke in a soft, well modulated voice. One, when in her presence, felt he should not speak much above a whisper. Now, being left entirely alone, Mrs. Wright devoted her entire activities to her church. ‘‘Auntie’’ Wright was quite literary. She enjoyed reading and read a great deal. Her library covered nearly one whole wall of her living room. She indulged in a little writing of poetry. Some of the poems are still in existence. There are such titles as ‘“‘A Response”’, “Vox Crucis" (1894) ‘‘In Memory of Mrs. J. M. Thomas" (1904). As an aside, one recalls that Mrs. Thomas was the mother of Clarence Thomas who was the first casualty of the U.S. Navy in World War I and for -whom the Thomas-Hagerty American Legion Post was named. ‘Auntie’ Wright also did a little prose writing. “The Terrible Fright’’ is one story that pertains to two children peeking into a forbidden room and seeing a skeleton. One wonders if this may be a memory of Abba Chase and her doctor father. There are existing programs that show

Mrs. Wright was active in the community religious educational circles. It was the custom to hold an annual Nevada County Sunday School convention. They were held in the Methodist Church of Nevada City. In 1884, it was Miss Abbie Chase who read a paper. In 1885, it was Mrs. Gilman Wright who had a leading part on the program. This devotion to teaching was continued despite the eastern doctor's admonition that the young Miss Chase must never teach again. She did some public school teaching after becoming a resident of Grass Valley and later devoted her teaching ability to an adult Sunday School Class in the Congregational Church. Mrs. Wright served in this capacity for over 40 years. She rarely missed a Sunday, rain or shine. She spent days preparing for her class. She gathered material. She read noted authorities to the ladies. The attendance for her class was high. Many of the prominent families were represented in this class and the influence of ‘‘Auntie’’ Wright was widespread. If anyone was in trouble, “‘Auntie’’ Wright Heme of 436 W. Main St., G. V. would make it her business to learn the facts and do anything in her power to be of help and, when necessary, she would appeal to someone for assistance and seldom failed to obtain the generous services asked for to help the needy. Also, she would have individuals and groups meet at her home, during the week, to discuss problems and plan solutions. She was mentor and councilor to many persons and there was a sizeable group whose members were devoted to ‘“‘Auntie’” Wright. To some, it was a satisfying event to sit in her livingroom and listen to the pleasing words and the wholesome advice of this devoted lady who spent every day seeking to raise the level of ethics in the lives of whomever she came in contact. And it was a worthwhile hour to sit in the homey room and listen to ‘‘Auntie’’ Wright tell of her experiences in the east such as her home in Lyndon, Vermont and later in Macob, Illinois where she met and shook hands with Abraham Lincoln, or events in Downieville during those exciting days in the 1870's. Because of her abundant reading, ‘Auntie’ Wright could tell thrilling stores of the lives and activities of prominent national persons, political, musical, literary and in science. There were no smooth concrete sidewalks in Grass Valley in the early days. It must have been somewhat of a task to walk down and up Main Street from School to High Street. Yet this rather frail lady probably made the trip several times a week for nearly fifty years. One may presume that such physical activity can be responsible for longevity. After the many years of active physical effort, ‘Auntie’ Wright was able to walk, climb stairs and tend her garden during her declining years. The only complaint, in the late years was “I seem to tire more readily”. Even with her failing strength and health, Mrs. Wright attended church as often as she could. Kind friends frequently offered her transportation, which was thankfully accepted. “Auntie” Wright kept herself informed of current events and the progress of the times. Aviation really had its start in Grass Valley. It was in 1908 that the Gilmore Airport is supposed to have been the first commercial airport in the United States. In the early aviation days it was the custom to hold air circuses or flying exhibits at various airports. One was held at the Gilmore Airport about 1928 and flights aloft were offered the audience. Among those present was ‘‘Auntie’’ Wright and she was given an airplane ride after her 8th birthday. To her it was the thrill of a lifetime. Time exacts its toll. In the year 1932, “Auntie Wright became more feeble. One devoted woman friend divided the hours of each day between her family and the care of ‘‘Auntie’ Wright. Then came the time when the patient needed constant attention and this true friend spent all of each day caring for ‘‘Auntie’’. Following her 88th birthday, ‘‘Auntie’ Wright slowly weakened and, on the 13th of May 1932, her eyes closed for the last time. “Auntie” Wright's was a rich life. Here