The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-01-24
IN MEMORIAM.
GEO. w. SPRAGUE.
A Sketch OF the Life and Services
OF the First President Of the
State Alliance.
By L. G.. HodgSon.


State Alliance.
BY T. c. Hodgson.
Geo. w. Sprague was born at Big
Island, Prince Edward county, Onta-
rio. on the 9TH day of August, 1s49
He was the youngest child in fami-
! y Of six, consisting of four sons and
two daughters. His early life was
spent upon farm and in attendance
upon district school. When sixteen
years Of age he came west to Mime
sofa and worked as farm hand un-
| til he was married, which event took
place on the Fourth of July. 1868, to
Miss Alice Baher, Of Burr Oak, Iowa
About this time he returned with
his young wife to his old home in On
tarlo, where they remained until 1873,
when they returned to the west and
settled on farm in the town OF Can
ton, Fillmore county, Mimi, where
his family still reside. During the
% years OF their married life, nine
children were born to them. of which
two sons preceded him to the mystic
shores: wife, six daughters, and one
son survive to mourn their loss.
". Sprague Joined the farmers al
lance upon its first organization in
this state, and in 1882 was elected
president of the national alliance at
ST. Louis, in 1888. He was elected
! president of the state alliance, which
position lie held until 1887. when he
was succeeded by Gen. T. II. Barrett.
In 1889 he was again elected presi-
dent and served one term. At that
time his connection with the Hecla
tire insurance company, rendered it
Wisest for him to sever all official con-
nectinn with the alliance.
In 1888 the Alliance Hail Insurance
company was organized and Mr..
Sprague was elected president there
of, which position he held until his
death. This office brought him no
salary except expenses and small
per diem for actual services render
ed. Upon the reorganization of the
Hecla fire insurance company, of
Madison, Wisconsin, he was elected
president and the company was re-
moved to St. Paul. His duties in
this office neceSSitated constant tray
Ell and he became familiar with all
the states of the Mississippi valley
! from North Dakota to Texas. At
the close of 1891 the Hecla sold out
its entire business to the st. Paul
German ms. Co., after which he re-
tired to his farm, and with renewed
zeal resumed his early and lifelong
profession of agriculture. Immedi-
ately after the holidays OF 1892, he
again returned on a visit to his old
home. accompanied by his brother:
and while visiting with his cousin,
Mr.. George Sprague, at Big Island,
tackled by heart failure and died al
most instantly on the 9th day of
January, 1893. His remains were
conveyed home, where they arrived
on the Doth. and on the 30th were fol-
! lowed by large cOncOurse of friends
and,acQ uaintances; he was buried in
Prosper cemetery.
Mr.. Sprague was prominently a
self-made man. His book-learning
was very limited and he never quite
.mastered the mazes of English gram
mar. But his knowledge Of men and
things was phenomenal. He studied
menland nature, rather than books.
His mind was exceedingly intuitive.
and he grasped at a glance the truths
that come to other minds only after
| long and patient research. His mem
DRY was we'll nigh faultless his
! perceptions were quick, and his COM
mand over all his faculties was al
most perfect. AS a presiding otIi-
Ger he had few equals and no superb
or. In all emergencies his counsel
was always sought and seldom disre-
garded. Radical in theory, he was
practical in action, and never allowed
his feelings to override his Judgment.
Though often a strenuous partisan.
he never carried his partisanship in
to the chair. He was born leader Of
men. His heart was kind and for
bearing. He never deserted his
friends. The range Of his acQuain-
&nce was large, and the name of his
FRIENDS was legion. In his untimely
death the state has lost good citi-
zen, the alliance strong and faith
full friend. and the stricken family a
kind and indulgent husband and ia
Their. Peace to his ashes
*