One of Six Brothers Who Served in Union Army

Michael Bright, a Reading Railway Conductor, Was in the Famous 88th Pennsylvania Volunteers

Michael Bright, residing at 622 North Second Street, is one of six brothers who served in the Civil War. They were: Frederick, deceased, Engineering Corps: Benjamin F., deceased, First Calvalry; Francis, 46th Pennsylvania Infantry; William P., deceased, Fifteenth United States Regulars; Aaron, 88th Pennsylvania Infantry. Michael was born in Reading, August 28, 1842. His great-grandfather Michael Bright, was the original owner of the Bright Hotel in 1760. It is located at the northwest corner of Fifth and Washington streets and is the present site of the Farmers Hotel. Michael's father, Aaron Bright, for many years was in the mercantile business, adjoining the hotel. Michael was graduated at the age of 17 from the Philomathean Insititute near Birdsboro, after which he taught school in Amity for three years. Later he was bookkeeper for the Reading Fire Brick Company. On February 29, 1864 he enlisted in the army in Company F, 88th Pennsylvania Infantry under command of Colonel George McLean. Mr. Bright endured many hardships. He was wounded in the head at the battle of the Wilderness and was disabled for several weeks. At the Battle of Petersburg, he was again wounded, the effects of which he still suffers. He was in the engagements of Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg during the whole of the campaign and engaged in the battles of Five Forks, Boydton and Plank Road. The Third Division of the Third Brigade of the Fifth Army Corps of which Mr. Bright was a member, was at Appomattox Court House at the time of Lee's surrender and took charge of General Lee's wagon train after his surrender, April 9, 1865. Mr. Bright was mustered out of the service June 30, 1865, at Arlington Heights.

He returned to Reading and engaged in railroading. He married Anna J. Ulrick, of Tamaqua, April 9, 1867. These four children blessed the union: George W., a molder, residing in Philadelphia; Harry W., pastor of the Ascension Reformed Church at Norristown; Howard M., engaged in the hotel business at Lebanon and Charles A., a grocery merchant at Norristown. Mr. Bright is a passenger conductor on the Reading Railway, running between Reading and Lancaster.

Article from Reading Eagle, July 7, 1912



Retired Conductor Dies

Reading Man Passes Away at Norristown,

Michael Bright, age 73 years a well known retired passenger conductor, 622 North Second street, died of Bright's disease and heart trouble at the residence of his son, Charles A. Bright, Norristown on Thursday. Mr. Bright was born in Reading, October 28, 1842 and was a son of the late Aaron and Maria Bright. Deceased entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1868. He later resigned but returned to railroading in 1876, He was placed on the pension roll November 1, 1912, Besides his widow, Anna J. four sons, George W., Henry W,, Howard M. and Charles A. of Norristown with whom he was staying survive. John Bright, a passenger conductor on the Reading division, Allentown is a brother.

Article from Reading Eagle, May 14, 1915