The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-06-09
Elk. GOV. SAMUEL E. PINGREE,
ONE OF VERMONT'S PROMI-
NENT MEN, is DEAD.
Oldest Town Clerk in New England.

Samuel E Pingree, former governor
of Vermont, with distinguished mill
tary service and the oldest town
clerk in New England, passed away
at his home in the village of Hart
ford at 9 o'clock June LIST after
three weeks illness, the cause being
the general breaking down of his
health.
Samuel Edward Pingree was born
in Salisbury, N. H., Aug. 2, 1882
coming from old and virile New Eng
land stock. He secured his educa-
ton in Salisbury, Andover academy,
McIndoe Falls and at Dartmouth COL
lege, graduating from the last-named
institution in 1857 He studied law
under E P Huntoon of Bethel and
commenced the practice of law in
Hartford.
In 1859 he was elected town clerk
of Hartford and had held the office
ever since, a record of more than so
years. He was always faithful in
the perform ance of his duties, and no
matter what the weather was he was.
to be found each day at his office.
On July 16, 1861, Mr. Pingree, with
his friend, Horace French of West
Lebanon, N. H., left for st. Johns
bury and was mustered into the
United States service as a member
of Co. F, Sd Vermont. He was chosen
first lieutenant and promoted to
captain, was commissioned major for
meritorious conduct and in 1863 was
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. He
was repeatedly wounded in action
and on April 16, 1862, while in COM
mand at Leeds Mills he had his right
thumb severed. Later he was colonel
of the 9Th Vermont regiment After
the Battle of the Wilderness he COM
the I'd Vermont regiment,
until he was mustered out in 1864.
With the passing of Col. Pingree
there is but one survivor of the COM
missioned officers of Co. F, Sd YER
mont, that being Capt Horace French
of West Lebanon. They have been |
lifelong friends, being members of |
the Unique Quartet club, which was
accustomed to meet on the birthdays !
Of the members.
In 1868 Col. Pingree was elected a |
delegate to the Republican national |
In 1882 he was elected |
and in 1884 gov
ernor of Vermont. In 1886 he was |
made chairman of the state railway |
serving eight years. AS |
already stated, he was elected town
clerk of Hartford in 1859, holding
that office with his many others. He
served many years as trustee of
Vermont academy and of the state
normal school at Randolph Center.
He had been highly honored by
comrades, having been elect
I'd judge advocate general of the
Legion of Honor. He was a social
of Hartford council, M w.
If A. In 1898 Norwich university
conferred on him the degree of doc
.or of laws. He had served in other
public Office, having been states at
.orney for Windsor. county in 1869.
In 1869 he was married to Lydia
w., daughter of Sanford and Mary
Steele of Stanstead, P. Q.
She survives him, together with their
adopted son, William S Pingree, as
;istant town clerk of Hartford, and
,wo grandchi 'dren.
The funeral was held Sunday at
o'clock from the late home in Hart
ord. Rev. Robert Haseltine of
White River Junction, assisted by
Rev. Seymour H Smith of Quechee,
ormer pastor of the Methodist Epis-
opal church at White River juno
ion, officiated. Burial was in the