People
PAUL DARLING WRIGHT
Paul Darling Wright, son of Ruben G. and Cora Pierce Wright, was born in Westfield, N. Y., March 9, 1872. He received his preparatory education in the public schools of his native town and after completing his preparation at Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., he entered the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, graduating in 1896 with the Ph.B. degree.
Upon leaving college, Mr. Wright was identified with the Nickel Plate Engineering Corps at Cleveland for a short time. From Cleveland he came to Erie and became one of the owners of the Bay State Iron Works, which connection lasted for a period of about three years. He next became treasurer of the Reed Manufacturing Company and at the present time he is president of this organization. He is also one of the directors of the Security Savings & Trust Co.
The Reed Manufacturing Company is a manufacturer of small tools. It has steadily grown in importance and many additions have been made to the plant until at present it ranks as a leader in its class, both as to size and standing with the trade. The scope of its distribution is international. Mr. Wright occupied a prominent position in all the war work campaigns and patriotic movements growing out of the World War which distinguished Erie in that period of stress.
In January, 1923, Mr. Wright was appointed by Governor Pinchot as Commissioner of the State Highway Department for the State of Pennsylvania, and since his appointment he has shown an earnest effort to serve the commonwealth faithfully and to give to the Highway Department an impartial, business-like administration.
Mr. Wright is a member of the Erie Kahkwa, Erie Yacht and University Clubs and is a member of the Erie Board of Commerce and the Manufacturers' Association.
In 1901 Mr. Wright married Miss Florence Lillian Gillen, two children being born to this union, Campbell and Ruben Gridley. Mrs. Wright died in 1905. In 1908 he married Miss Charlotte Mehl and by his second marriage has a daughter, Margaret Louise.
Mr. Wright resides at 515 Walnut Street and his business address is the Reed Manufacturing Company, Erie, Pa.
Source: Transcription from the book, Western Pennsylvanians, edited by Charles Alexander Rook, published in 1923; located on the website, Internet Archive (http://archive.org), accessed 31 May 2026.