Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-12-29
Another Pioneer Gone.

Another Pioneer Gone.
This time il is a shining light that
has fallen before the lance Of the
Great Destroyer. Gen. John W.
>pragi!e, of Tacoma, is the victim.
He Gied at his residence, Tacoma,
sunday. Death was expected and his
family, with the exception OF son
and daughter, were hy his bedside
when the vital spark was cxtinguishcd,
Gen. Spraguc va. one OF the heroes
Of the civil war. He was among the
first 10 muster in companies for de-
Tense VI the old flag. He entered ser
vice with commission OF captain,
and for meritOrious services was con-
tInually promoted until in 1864 lie
was brevetted Major General. In
1850 the Secretary of War, Edwin NJ.
Stanton appointed him Lieutenant
Colonel, but the commission was de-
clined. He participated in a number
OF important battles.
Gen. Sprague was no less noted and
conspicuous in civil life. He was for
many years leading and controlling
spirit in the management of the
Northern Pacific Railroad construc-
ton and operation. He it was who,
in connection with Gov Rice, was des-
ignated as a commission to select the
western terminus of the road, and fol-
lowing the dictates OF an impartial
judgment. based upon natural adapta.
ton, after thorough examination,
Olympia was honored by his prefer
ence and that OF his colleague, and
had it been left TO him, this city
to-day would be the leading metropo-
lis of the Northwest. 1t is proper,
therefore, that our people should feel
more than passing sorrow in the
death OF this able man. When this
action was overruled by the Lake
Superior and Puget Sound" land ring,
which had absorbed control of ma
jority of the stock of the struggling
railroad organization, and the termi-
nus had been relocated and transferred
to Tacoma, Gen. Sprague became
resident of that city, and was for sew
eral years General Manager of the
Western Division of the road. He after
wards founded the Tacoma National
Bank, serving as its President for sew
eral years. He was likewise President
of the Union Savings and Trust Co.,
besides being identified with several
representing mercantile firms. He
was instrumental in organizing the
Chamber of Commerce, was its first |
President, and at the same time
Mayor of Tacoma. Gen. Sprague was
not as young man as his stalwart
frame and well-preserved features
would appear to indicate. He was
was born in April, 1Sl7-making him
in the 77th year of his age-at White
Greek, N. Y. His father was Otis
Sprague, an early settler of Worcester,
Mass. Before the war, Gen. Sprague
was engaged in mercantile and trans
portation business. At the age of %
he opened wholesale and retail gro
Gerry business in Troy, continuing it
five years. He was afterwards Treas.
urer of Erie county, with his residence
at Huron. He subsequently equipped
a line of steamers and sailboats which
carried on an enormous business, and
he became what was then regarded as
wealthy.
Gen. Sprague was twice married, his
FIRST vile dying the first year, leaving
one child, who is now Mrs. J. w.
of Huron. His second
wife was a daughter Of Hon. G. w.
Choate. Four sons were born to them,
G. w., Otis, w. w. and Chas. Sprague,
all of whom survive. Gen. Sprague
was q member of the Presbyterian
as tfrt - Ift