'Ruggles Wright' (
1793 –
August 18 1863) was a
Canadian lumber merchant, the youngest son of
Philemon Wright.
He was born in
Woburn, Massachusetts but moved to Canada with his parents while still young. He later joined the family business in the
timber trade. In
1829, he built the first
timber slide on the
Ottawa River to transport logs past the
Chaudière Falls. However, by
1840, a competing slide built on the opposite (
Ontario) side of the river had won over most of the business. He also discovered a source of
cement which was used in the construction of the
Rideau Canal.
In partnership with
John Egan, he operated a
steamship transporting goods on the Ottawa River.
External links
★ http://www.wrightfamily.ca/