Leonard J. Wright was born on September 15, 1831, in Norwich, Vermont, to John and Almira Wright. His father was a lawyer who owned $8,000 of real estate by 1850. He probably grew up in Norwich, and by 1850, he was attending school in Hadley, Massachusetts. He graduated from Norwich University in 1852, and he earned a living as a civil engineer.

 

He married Mary J. Weaver around 1858, and they had at least six children: Eliza, born around 1861; Anna, born around 1863; Frank, born around 1867; Jennie, born around 1870; John, born around 1872; and Leonard, born around 1874. The family lived in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He probably moved to Niles, Michigan, in the early 1860s.

 

In late 1861, he received a commission as a 2^nd lieutenant in Company B of the 9^th Michigan Infantry. The regiment took part in the Battle of Murfreesboro, the Battle of Chickamauga, and the Atlanta campaign. He was promoted to 1^st lieutenant in December 1861. Confederates captured him at Murfreesboro on July 13, 1862. He received a parole two days later, and he was exchanged on August 27, 1862. He was promoted to captain in February 1863, and he mustered out on  November 23, 1864.

 

He settled in Franklin, Pennsylvania, after leaving the army, and he resumed his work as a civil engineer. He moved to Newtown, Connecticut, around 1868. By 1870, he owned $2,500 of personal property. He died in Newtown on March 20, 1889.

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