Background
Sprague, William was born on September 12, 1831 in Cranston, Rhode Island, United States. Son of Amasa and Fanny (Morgan) Sprague.
Sprague, William was born on September 12, 1831 in Cranston, Rhode Island, United States. Son of Amasa and Fanny (Morgan) Sprague.
Educated Cranston, East. Greenwich and Scituate, Rhode Island, and Irving Institute, Tarrytown, New New York Honorary Master of Arts, Brown, 1861.
Honorary Salmon P. Chase, November 12, 1863. Married second, Inez Weed. Entered his uncle’s mercantile house, 1845, succeeding to management, 1856.
Elected governor, Rhode Island, 1860, 1861, 1862.
Active in raising troops for Civil War. Went to Washington with first troops from Rhode Island, April 18, 1861, and participated in 1st Battle of Bulletin Run, July 21, 1861.
Served throughout Peninsular campaign. Commissioned brigadier general United States.V. but declined.
Elected United States senator, May 28, 1862, resigning as governor, March 3, 1863.
Reëlected United States senator, June 9, 1868, for term expiring March 3, 1875. Trustee Brown University, since 1866. Address: Narragansett, Rhode Island.
Married Katharine, daughter Married second, Inez Weed.