UCon Mainstreet 
Gilbert George Wright, son of Gilbert Josiah Wright and Annie Sarah Odell was born on September 28, 1866 in Ogden, Utah. He left school early and went to work at the Consolidated Wagon and Machine Company. This company had been founded by Gilbert's uncle George T. Odell, Heber J. Grant and other prominent men. It sold everything from farm machinery to buggies, seed and other farm supplies, saddles and lap robes. It became the first chain store in the country with branches all over Utah and Idaho.
In 1889, he was sent to Idaho Falls, Idaho to manage a branch of C. W. & M. George T. Odell states in an 1889 letter, "Her [Annie's] oldest boy acts in the capacity of manager for me at our house in Eagle Rock, Idaho....He is a bright, active young business man...."
On April 9, 1890 Gilbert Wright married Matilda Ellen Bailey, daughter of Ann Mary Folker and Joseph Moroni Bailey. The couple moved to a home on Capitol Avenue in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Gilbert Wright was widely known and respected in his community. He was a great friend to farmers, especially in New Sweden, west of the Snake River. In bad years he loaned them money and gave them credit for seed and machinery at C. W. & M. He was a member of the New Sweden Pioneer Association.
In 1912, Gilbert Wright was promoted to a management position in Salt Lake City. Even though business circumstances required his presence in Salt Lake during the week, he always came home to Idaho Falls on the weekends. His daughter, Florence Wright Bybee, remembers the pleasure of his regular Saturday visit at her home on Placer Avenue. He would greet all the children, sometimes with candy or gum and catch up on all the news before going downtown to his office.
He enjoyed hosting family picnics and parties and once organized a large family reunion at the Bonneville Hotel in Idaho Falls. In 1918 he built for his family a summer home... at Ideal Beach on Bear Lake near Garden City, Utah...
On April 9, 1933 while driving home from Salt Lake City, there was a car accident and Gilbert George Wright was killed. His death at the age of 66 was a great loss, not only for his family but for the entire community. From the many newspaper articles published at that time it is evident that he was widely mourned. Idaho Falls stores and banks were closed on the day of his funeral.
In addition to being General Manager of the C. W. & M. Company, Gilbert George Wright was involved in many business and financial endeavors. He was President of the Anderson Brothers Bank and with Edward Fanning, founded the Idaho Falls Mill and Elevator Company. The mill was the only market for grain and other produce for years. He was a member of the following organizations: Board of Directors of the First Security Corporation, Republican State Central Committee, the Rotary Club of Idaho Falls, the Elks Club, Board of Directors of Utah Power and Light Company. He was President of the Dinwoody Furniture Company, the Rexburg Drug Company and the G. G. Wright Loan and Investment Company. He was Chairman of the Board of the Salt Lake City branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and during World War I; he served as the Director of Council of Defense and the Liberty Loan Drive.
Gilbert Wright was instrumental in having established in Idaho Falls the Carnegie free library and was a member of the first library board and president for two years, serving from January 1909 to August 1914.