Rash's Surname Index
Notes for William WRIGLEY
WILLIAM WRIGLEY was born in Philadelphia on November 7, 1833, and he has been a resident of Philadelphia nearly all his life. The section of the city in which he first saw the light of day was at that time one of the most interesting residential portions, his parents' home being on the north side of Vine Street, above Tenth. His father was Edward Wrigley, proprietor of the Good Intent Woolen Mills, and the first to start the manufacture of cloth in Philadelphia. He was the son of Edmund Wrigley and Jane Wrigley, of Knowl, near Saddleworth, England; and his mother was Susan Paxson, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Paxson, of Philadelphia, Benjamin Paxson being a brother of Timothy Paxson, who was an executor of Stephen Girard's will. William Wrigley's primary schooling was received at a private academy, and afterwards at the public schools of Philadelphia and at Abington Seminary, Montgomery County. When he was fourteen years of age, however, he was seized with the desire to enter the business world and obtain some occupation, and, accordingly, he left school. He began life as a wage earner before he was fifteen years old, and for three years remained with the firm of Burton & Grice, a wholesale silk house, at the corner of Third Street and Church Alley, subsequently holding a position as Letter Carrier in the Philadelphia Post Office, being the first one appointed, as a matter of historical interest, after "Blood's Dispatch " was bought by the Government.
When he was twenty years of age, Mr. Wrigley, impelled by an ambitious desire to increase his fortunes, and filled with the prevailing spirit of enterprise, followed the tide of travel westward and settled in what was then Minnesota Territory. There he remained for three years, passing through a series of good and bad circumstances, until the depression of values which followed the sudden western boom rendered a longer stay in that section undesirable. He then returned to his native city and followed the vocation of salesman and commercial traveler until the Civil War broke out. Like many others possessing inborn patriotism, he volunteered at once in his country's defense and entered the army as a private under Captain Biddle, in Company G, Eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served with honor in this corps, but his ambitious nature led him to go still further in his country's defense a short time after. He organized a company for the One Hundred and Fifty seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was appointed its First Lieutenant commanding. He was Division Commissary on the staff of General M. F. Smith for a short time, and afterwards became Captain in the One Hundred and Ninety seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. When his service in the army expired, Mr. Wrigley followed the course of fortune into the oil regions, where many of the Pennsylvania soldiers went to seek wealth, as they had sought honors on the battlefield. In the year 1870 he established his present business, and, in 1877, it was incorporated under the name of the Wrigley Manufacturing Company. For many years Mr. Wrigley has been President of this concern, and he has made it one of the most successful in its special field. In business he has developed wonderful tact and ability, and it is owing chiefly to his individual enterprise that the Wrigley Manufacturing Company is so widely and favorably known.
In public life Mr. Wrigley has been very active as a Member of the Board of Education, to which he was appointed in March, 1893, to represent the Thirty third Section or Ward. For such an office he was eminently fitted, as his mind had been broadened by extensive travel in this country and Europe. Ever since his identification with educational affairs Mr. Wrigley has manifested the greatest interest in the welfare of the schools generally, and he has been instrumental in bringing about the improvements of those in his own section. In the affairs of the Central High School he has evinced an especial interest, having been a member of the committee on that school since he first entered the Board. He is serving also on the Northeast Manual Training School Committee and Text Books Committee, and the Night Schools and Audits committees.
Mr. Wrigley was married on December 3, 1860, to Mary A. Ladley, daughter of Thomas and Thomisan Ladley, of Germantown. They have had nine children, those living being William Wrigley, Jr., Byron E., Anna Jennie, Edward and Charles White Wrigley. Mr. Wrigley is Past Commander of Post 2, Grand Army of the Republic; a member of Philates Lodge, Corinthian Commandery, No.53, Corinthian R. A. Chapter, 250, and Quaker City Lodge. His interest in the business affairs of the city has led him to identify himself with many public enterprises, and he is a member of the Trades League, the Bourse, the Manufacturers' Club and Grocers' and Importers' Exchange.
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