WILLIAM M. BRIGHT,
importer and breeder of French draft horses, is also extensively
engaged in the
culture of small fruits, and is the occupant of a fine homestead in
Normal,
from which he dispenses a generous hospitality, and enjoys the
association and
friendship of the cultured people of this locality. Mr. Bright is a
native of
Lincoln County, Ky., and was born Oct. 23, 1835, his parents being John
and
Elizabeth (Morrison) Bright, natives of the same State, where they
spent their
entire lives and were finally laid peacefully away for their final
rest. The
parental family of our subject included nine children, all of whom
reached
mature years, and seven are still living.
The subject of this
history was next to the youngest of his parents' family, and was reared
to
farming pursuits. After pursuing his primary studies in the common
schools, he
entered the academy at Stanford, Ky., and after completing a course in
1857,
accompanied his brother-in-law, James Givens, to Illinois. The two
together
purchased section 2 of Normal Township, in this county, which they
retained
possession of until 1865. In the meantime young Bright had returned to
his
native State and remained there until 1861, when he came back to McLean
County,
which has since been his home. In the spring of 1866 he removed within
the city
limits of Normal, where he owns 100 acres on three sides of the
Soldier's
Orphans' Home, besides forty acres outside of the city. Until 1882 he
gave his
principal attention to the growing of small fruits, then, through the
influence
of his nephew, R. G. Bright, he imported four French draft mares, and
has since
devoted a large portion of his time to the breeding of horses. Before
this,
however, he had raised a number of Kentucky saddle horses, and already
attained
quite a reputation in this line.
The subject of this
sketch was married near Danville, Ky., in 1864, to Miss Mary E. Bruce,
who was born near that
city on the 2d of November, 1842, and was the daughter of Henry and
Mary E.
(Pope) Bruce. Of this union there were born seven children, of whom one
son
died at the age of five years, and six are now living. They were named
respectively, John H., James G., Mary E., Bruce, Fannie M. and Reuben
G.
Portrait
and biographical album of McLean County,
Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent
and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and
biographies of all the governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of
the
United States. (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887), 134-5.
Transcribed by Judy Rosella Edwards
