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Samuel E. Pingree

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Samuel E. Pingree
Samuel E. Pingree as depicted inDeeds of Valor
40thGovernor of Vermont
In office
October 2, 1884 – October 7, 1886
LieutenantEbenezer J. Ormsbee
Preceded byJohn L. Barstow
Succeeded byEbenezer J. Ormsbee
34thLieutenant Governor of Vermont
In office
October 5, 1882 – October 2, 1884
GovernorJohn L. Barstow
Preceded byJohn L. Barstow
Succeeded byEbenezer J. Ormsbee
Chairman of the Vermont Railroad Commission
In office
1886–1894
Preceded byNone (position created)
Succeeded byOlin Merrill
State's AttorneyofWindsor County, Vermont
In office
1867–1869
Preceded byJohn F. Deane
Succeeded byJames N. Edminster
Town Clerk ofHartford, Vermont
In office
1865–1922
Preceded byGeorge Tenney
Succeeded byWilliam S. Pingree
In office
1861–1861
Preceded byJustin C. Brooks
Succeeded byJustin C. Brooks
Personal details
Born(1832-08-02)August 2, 1832
Salisbury, New Hampshire,U.S.
DiedJune 1, 1922(1922-06-01)(aged 89)
Hartford, Vermont,U.S.
Resting placeHartford Cemetery, Hartford, Vermont U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Lydia M. Steele
​
(m.1869)​
EducationDartmouth College
Profession
  • Lawyer
  • Politician
AwardsMedal of Honor
Signature
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Branch/serviceUnion Army
Years of service1861–1864
RankLieutenant Colonel
Unit1st Vermont Brigade
CommandsCompany F,3rd Vermont Infantry
2nd Vermont Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Samuel Everett Pingree(August 2, 1832 – June 1, 1922) was an American lawyer and politician from Vermont. ARepublican,he served aslieutenant governorfrom 1882 to 1884 andgovernorfrom 1884 to 1886. Pingree was aUnion Armyveteran of theAmerican Civil Warand received theMedal of Honorfor heroism at the 1862Battle at Lee's Mills.

A native ofSalisbury, New Hampshire,Pingree graduated fromDartmouth Collegein 1857, studied law, and attained admission to the bar in 1859. He then began to practice inHartford, Vermontin partnership with his brother Stephen. In 1861, he served as Hartford's town clerk.

During theAmerican Civil War,Pingree joined the3rd Vermont Infantry,and after receiving his commission, he advanced tocaptainas commander of the regiment's Company F. In 1864, he was alieutenant colonelwhen he was assigned to command the2nd Vermont Infantry,which he led until receiving his discharge in July 1864. Pingree took part in numerous battles, and in 1891 received theMedal of Honorfor heroism at Lee's Mills while commanding Company F in 1862.

After his military service, Pingree practiced law in Hartford and became active in politics as a Republican. He was Hartford's town clerk from 1865 to 1922, andState's AttorneyofWindsor Countyfrom 1867 to 1869. In 1882 he was the successful Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, and he served for two years. In 1884, he was the Republican nominee for governor. He won the general election and served one two-year term, in keeping with the provisions of the party's "Mountain Rule".

After his term as governor, Pingree continued to practice law in Hartford. When the Vermont Railroad Commission was created in 1886, he was appointed its first chairman, and he served until 1894. He died in Hartford on June 1, 1922 and was buried at Hartford Cemetery in Hartford.

Early life

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Samuel E. Pingree was born inSalisbury, New Hampshireon August 2, 1832, the son of Stephen and Judith (True) Pingrey.[1][a]He received his early education inAndover, New Hampshire,andMcIndoes Falls, Vermont,then enteredDartmouth College,where he graduated in 1857.[2]Hestudied lawwith his cousinAugustus P. HuntoninBethel, Vermont,and wasadmitted to the barofWindsor Countyin December 1859.[2]He then began practicing law inHartfordin partnership with his brother Stephen (1835–1892).[2]

Civil War

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Capt. Samuel E. Pingree

Pingree enlisted in Company F,3rd Vermont Infantryin 1861, and was soon chosenfirst lieutenant.[2]In August 1861, he was promoted tocaptain,and was commissionedmajoron September 27, 1862, andlieutenant colonelon January 15, 1863.[2]He was severely wounded at theBattle at Lee's Millson April 16, 1862, during which he led his company and three others across a wide creek and drove the enemy from rifle pits on the opposite bank.[2]In addition to losing his right thumb, Pingree contracted typhoid; reports of his death appeared in Vermont newspapers, but were quickly corrected.[3][4]He spent ten weeks recuperating in aPhiladelphiahospital.[2]

Pingree as a lieutenant colonel in 1863

During the second day of theBattle of the Wilderness,Pingree was placed in command of the2nd Vermont Infantry,since all the field officers of that unit had been killed or wounded.[2]Pingree participated in the battles ofSpotsylvania,North Anna,Cold Harbor,Petersburg,andWeldon Railroad,where he narrowly escaped capture with a portion of his command.[2]Pingree's final military action occurred atFort Stevenson July 11 and 12, 1864.[2]He mustered out of the service on July 27, 1864, having remained in uniform two months past the end of his enlistment obligation.[2]On August 17, 1891, Pingree received theMedal of Honorfor his 1862 actions at Lee's Mills.[5]

While Samuel Pingree served with the 2nd and 3rd Vermont, his brother Stephen Morse Pingree (1835-1892) was a member of the4th Vermont Infantry;[6]originally a first lieutenant in Company E, he eventually attained the rank ofcolonelas the regiment's commander.[7]

After leaving the Army, Samuel and Stephen Pingree led the 8th Infantry Regiment of the Vermont Militia; Samuel commanded as a colonel, and Stephen was second-in-command as a lieutenant colonel.[8]

Postwar life

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Pingree returned to Hartford and his law practice, and received hisMaster of Artsdegree from Dartmouth in 1867.[2][9]While in college, Pingree became a member ofPhi Beta KappaandDelta Kappa Epsilon.[10]In 1868 and 1869, he wasstate's attorneyforWindsor County.[2]He served as town clerk of Hartford for over 50 years, and was chosen delegate-at-large to the1868 Republican National Conventionin Chicago.[2]In 1870 he was elected president of theReunion Society of Vermont Officers.[2]Pingree was an active member of the Windsor County Republican Committee and attended numerous local and state party conventions as a delegate.[11][12]

In the fall of 1882, Pingree was elected lieutenant governor, and in1884,governor.[2]"His administration was characterized by the same efficiency and zeal which he has ever displayed as soldier, lawyer and citizen."[13]During his gubernatorial term, Vermont took steps to conduct oversight and examination of the state's banks and expanded regulation of insurance companies by requiring them to submit annual reports and financial statements.[14]In addition, he worked to increase the length of the school year and expand the number of local schools.[15]On May 1, 1885 he inaugurated Arbor Day in Vermont, making the state the first east of the Mississippi to celebrate the day.[16]During his term Pingree also advocated laws prohibiting the adulteration of maple syrup and honey, which unscrupulous operators had begun to dilute with beet sugar and other less expensive fillers.[16]

After his governorship, Pingree served as chairman of the board of the newly established state railway commission from 1886 to 1894.[2]He was a trustee ofVermont AcademyinSaxtons Riverfrom 1885 to 1910.[2]He was active in theGrand Army of the Republicand also served as judge advocate of theMedal of Honor Legion,an organization established in 1890 to protect the reputation of the award.[2][17]He was also a trustee of theState Normal SchoolinRandolphfor many years, and also served as president of the White River Savings Bank.[2]

In 1886 he was awarded thehonorary degreeofLL.D.fromNorwich University.[18]Pingree died in Hartford on June 1, 1922.[19]He was buried at Hartford Cemetery in Hartford.[20]

Family

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On September 15, 1869, Pingree married Lydia M. Steele, daughter of Sanford and Mary (Hinman) Steele, ofStanstead, Quebec.[21]Lydia Steele was the sister ofBenjamin H. Steele,who was a college classmate of Pingree's, and served as an Associate Justice of theVermont Supreme Court.[22]

Lydia Steele and Samuel Pingree were the parents of an adopted son, William Steele Pingree (1879-1965).[21]William S. Pingree attended Norwich University for three years, andBoston University School of Lawfor one.[23]He completed his legal studies with his father,[23]and after being admitted to the bar in 1904, the younger Pingree practiced law in Hartford, served as town clerk (1923-1942),[24]and also served as Windsor County State's Attorney.[25]

Medal of Honor citation

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Rank and Organization:

Captain, Company F, 3d Vermont Infantry Place and date: Lees Mills, Va., April 16, 1862. Entered service at. Hartford, Vt. Birth: Salisbury, N.H. Date of issue: August 17, 1891.

Citation:

Gallantly led his company across a wide, deep creek, drove the enemy from the rifle pits, which were within 2 yards of the farther bank, and remained at the head of his men until a second time severely wounded.[26]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^The Pingree family's name is spelled variously as Pingrey, Pingry, and Pingree.[2]Samuel Pingree and his brother Stephen changed the spelling of their name from Pingrey to Pingree.[2]

References

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  1. ^Cutler, William Richard(1915).New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial.Third. Vol. II. New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. pp. 942–944 – viaGoogle Books.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvNew England Families, Genealogical and Memorial,pp. 942–944.
  3. ^"Vermont News: Capt. Samuel E. Pingree".Vermont Christian Messenger.Montpelier, VT. May 29, 1862. p. 3 – viaNewspapers.
  4. ^"Pensioners In Hartford".Vermont Journal.Windsor, VT. December 1, 1883. p. 5 – viaNewspapers.
  5. ^"Vermont News: Vermont Veterans Honored".St. Johnsbury Caledonian.St. Johnsbury, VT. October 15, 1891. p. 6 – viaNewspapers.
  6. ^Vermont Bar Association (1895).Report of Proceedings of the Annual Meeting.Vol. 4. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Bar Association. pp. 102–104.
  7. ^Report of Proceedings of the Annual Meeting,pp. 102–104.
  8. ^Vermont Adjutant General (1865).Annual Report of the Adjutant & Inspector General.Montpelier, VT: Walton's Steam Printing Establishment. p. Appendix G, page 17.
  9. ^Marquis, Albert Nelson(1923).Who's Who In America.Vol. 12. Chicago, IL: A. N. Marquis & Company. p. 2481 – viaGoogle Books.
  10. ^Who's Who In America,p. 2481.
  11. ^"Republican State Convention".The Burlington Free Press.Burlington, VT. March 30, 1876. p. 3 – viaNewspapers.
  12. ^"At the Windsor County Republican Convention".Vermont Journal.Windsor, VT. February 7, 1880. p. 8 – viaNewspapers.
  13. ^Ullery, Jacob G. (1894).Men of Vermont illustrated.Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Publishing Company. p. 315.
  14. ^"Biography, Gov. Samuel E. Pingree".NGA.org.Washington, DC: National Governors Association.RetrievedAugust 10,2024.
  15. ^Horton, Bella."Dartmouth College Public Service Legacy: Samuel Everett Pingree, Class of 1857".Dartmouth College.Hanover, NH.RetrievedAugust 10,2024.
  16. ^ab"Dartmouth College Public Service Legacy: Samuel Everett Pingree, Class of 1857".
  17. ^Mollan, Mark C.,"The Army Medal of Honor, The First Fifty-five Years",Prologue: Quarterly of the National Archives and Records Administration,Summer 2001, vol. 33, no. 2.
  18. ^Ellis, William Arba (1911).Norwich University, 1819-1911: Her History, Her Graduates, Her Roll of Honor.Vol. 3. Montpelier, VT: Capital City Press. pp. 542–543.
  19. ^"Was War Hero And Governor: Samuel Pingree, One of Vermont's Prominent Men, Is Dead".The Barre Daily Times.Barre, VT. June 1, 1922. p. 1 – viaNewspapers.
  20. ^"Ex-Governor Pingree Passes At Age Of 89".Rutland Herald.Rutland, VT. June 2, 1922. p. 1 – viaNewspapers.
  21. ^abNorwich University, 1819-1911,pp. 542–543.
  22. ^Men of Vermont illustrated,p. 186.
  23. ^abNorwich University, 1819-1911,pp. 353–354.
  24. ^Plante, Peter P. (1966).Memorial to William S. Pingree, published in Report of Proceedings of the Annual Meeting.Vol. 60. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Bar Association. pp. 27–28.
  25. ^Vermont General Assembly (1917).Journal of the Senate of the State of Vermont.Montpelier, VT: Capital City Press. pp. 807–808.
  26. ^ "Pingree, Samuel E., Civil War Medal of Honor recipient".American Civil War website. November 8, 2007.RetrievedNovember 8,2007.

Sources

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Preceded by Governor of Vermont
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