The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-19
MIR. PINGREE'S CAREER.
Fought in the Civil War and Was Sue
cessful in Business and Politics.

Hazen S. Pingree was born at Denmark,
Me-, Aug. 3O 1910, the fourth child of Jasper
and Adaline Pingree. Jasper Pingree was
a farmer and resided at Denmark, Me-,
from the time of his birth in 1906 until 1871.
going then TO Detroit where he died in
1882. The son resided with his parents until
fourteen years of age, when he went to
Saco, Me-, and secured employment in a
cotton factory. In 1860 he went to Hopkin-
ton, Mass, and secured employment in a
shoe factory. Here he learned the trade of
cutter, at which he worked until Aug. 1,
1862. when he enlisted as a private in Com
pany F, First Massachusetts, Regiment of
Heavy Artillery, for the unexpired three
years term of the regiment. When the
regiment was mustered out at the end of
the term he re-enlsted the battlefield
for three years more. or during the war.
With the regiment he participated in the
second battle of Bull Run, the battles of
Fredericksburg Road Harris Farm and
Spottsylvania Courthouse. Cold Harbor,
North Anne and South Anne. At the bat
tie of Spottsylvania May s, 1864, his regi-
ment opened the engagement and a num-
Der of men were killed and wounded.
On May %. 1864 Mr.. Pingree, with a
number of his comrades, while guarding
a wagon train en- route to Port Royal was
prisoners of war they were brought be-
fore that officer. who exchanged his entire
suit of clothes with Pingree, but after
wards gave back the coat. remarkng that
After his capture he was confined for near
ly five months at Andersonville stockade,
Salisbury. y. c., and, at Millen. Ga At
the latter place in November 1864, he was
exchanged. He then rejoined his regiment
in front of Petersburg and soon after took
part in the expedition along the Weldon
pail M
Road Petersburg, Sailors Creek Farms
vile and Appomattox Courthouse. He was
mustered out Of service in August, 1865, and
shortly after went 70 Detroit where for a
time he found employment in boot and
shoe factory.
Deciding to embark in business for him
self in December, 1866 with G. II. Smith he
purchased a small boot and shoe factory
The entire capital represented by the firm
of Pingree & Smith when established was
but 1880 The business grew until last
year the output was over $1.oW.000 worth Of
goods.
In 1889 the Republican party nominated
Ex-Governor Pingree for mayor of Detroit
and he elected by over 1900 majority.
He was reelected in 1891 1898 and 1895 by in
creased majorities each time. In 1896 Mr..
Pingree was selected as Governor of Mich
igan by $1,000 plurality, running ahead OF
the national ticket by 26.000 votes. He was
reelected Governor in 1898 by about 10000
plurality and served out his term. which
expired in 1900. Last March he started on
the trip 10 South Africa which resulted In
his death in London.
Ex-Governor Pingree while he was mayor
accomplished many municipal reforms
among others forcing the Detroit Gas Com
pany TO lower it's rates so cents per thou
sand: establishing a public lighting plant;
organizing the Detroit railway on a 3-cent
fare basis: lowering telephone rates and
breaking up number of sewer and paving
rings that were thriving when he went into
office. His potato patch scheme for the re-
lief of the poor of the city was extensively
copied and brought him much fame and the
sobriquet Potato Patch Pingree"
While Governor Mr.. Pingree devoted HIS
energies toward securing law taxing rail-
road and other corporate property on an ad
valorem basis instead OF specifically on
their earnings. His efforts resulted in the
passage OF a law along these lines by the
last Legislature.
In social life Mr.. Pingree was large
hearted and generous. In 1872 he married