The times., 1896-10-30

belongs to the nation, and in one sense
to the world
He was born at Denmark, Maine,
August 80, 1910, and is the son of JAS
per Pingree; his mothers maiden name
was Adaline Bryant.
The family records have been faith
fully kept, and show that the mayor of
Detroit is of the eighth generation OF
Plngrees born on American SOIL The
first of the name here was Moses Pin
gree (spelled Pengry1 who, with his
brother Aaron settled in Ipswich.
Mass, in 1910. 1t is believed they
came from England. No one who pos
esses what is called family despiscs
such distinction, and it is interesting e.
know that this sturdy champion of the
rights Of common humanity has q long
line of christian ancestry behind him;
men and women of character, standing
and influence. Puritanic ideas Of hon
or and honesty. love Of home and coun-
try, and n readiness to defend these at
the hazard of life and fortune, have
ever distinguished them. 1t is inspir-
ing to be thus fore-fathered 1t Is alto
gether better to be worthy such ances-
try; to have in his soul the elements of
true greatness. }
The early youth Of Mr.. Pipgree was
filed with labor; first on his fathers
farm, with the usual New England
winters schooling to the age Of four
teen; then In a cotton mill at SacO,
Maine; then in shoe factory at Hop
kinton, Mass At the outbreak of the
war he enlisted in Company +, First
Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He
was in the battles of fredericksburg
Road, Harris Farm, NSpottsylvania,
Cold Harbor, and North Anna. On
June 1, 1864 he was captured by Mos
by's men and suffered the usual bitter
experiences of Union prisoner at An
dersonville, Gordonsville, Salisbury
and Millen. After five months he was
exchanged, in time to take part in the
battles of Petersburg, Fort Fisher,
Boyden Road, Sailors Creek, Farmers
vile and AppomattOX. His regiment
lost heavily, both in officers and en-
listed men.
After his muster out in August OF
1865, he came directly to Detroit and
was employed in Baldw1n's shoe fac
tory. He formed partnership with
G.. III. Smith in 1866, and 1t is related
that he put into the firm S4G0. That
the house so launched has been sue
cessful one, is shown by their com
mercial rating Of $50O,0O0 capital. DC.
troit people say the firm is distin
guished for straightforward hone esty.
enterprise and square dealing.
Seven years ago last January. Mr..
Pingree was elected mayor of his city.
and it is in this capacity he has won
his fame. Here he has been most ap-
proved. and most opposed; most enthu-
siastically admired and applauded.
most cordially hated, feared and exc
Grated: here he has made friends who
would die for him, and foes who hesi-
tate at no device against him. 1t Is
said that a man is known by his
friends, but he Is sometimes better
known by noting who are his enemies.
So herculean have been his struggles
against corporations, monopolies, fraud,
greed and mismanagement, and so sig
nal his triumphs that IL has brought
the man and the city into the public
eve to a remarkable extent. Political
ly speaking be has accomplished the
impossible. He found the city in the
grasp of corrupt corporations, poorly
lighted at great expense, illpaved, no
adequate sewer system. a most indif-
ferent and inefficient street car service,
with bribery prevailing in municipal
affairs to frightful degree; this was
the situation. Now, Mr. Pingree has
convictions; his ideas of right and
wrong are very simple, being derived
from that old Book long ago given for
their guidance to the children of men.
In the depths Of his soul he believes In
human rights, and he has colossal
courage OF his own which never fal
tiers. Given such a situation. and
such q man, battle to the death was
Inevitable. He begun his warfare
against these conditions In Detroit with
the cheerful relish of a good fighter.
and he has never given an inch Of
ground.
How he espoused the cause of the
working man, how he declared for hon
est dealing In the management OF pub
lie moneys, how he exposed bribery
and fraud, secured cheap rates Of trans