William Sprague IV facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Sprague IV
United States Senator from Rhode Island
In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1875
Preceded by	Samuel G. Arnold
Succeeded by	Ambrose Burnside
27th Governor of Rhode Island
In office May 29, 1860 – March 3, 1863
Lieutenant	J. Russell Bullock Samuel G. Arnold Seth Padelford
Preceded by	Thomas G. Turner
Succeeded by	William C. Cozzens
Personal details
Born	(1830-09-12)September 12, 1830 Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died	September 11, 1915(1915-09-11) (aged 84) Paris, France
Resting place	Swan Point Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Kate Chase ​ ​ (m. 1863; div. 1882)​ Dora Inez Clavert ​ (m. 1883)​
Profession	Politician, Manufacturer
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Rhode Island United States (Union)
Years of service	1848–1861
Rank	Colonel
Unit	Rhode Island Militia
Commands	Providence Marine Corps of Artillery
Battles/wars	American Civil War First Battle of Bull Run

William Sprague IV (September 12, 1830 – September 11, 1915) was an important American politician. He served as the 27th Governor of Rhode Island from 1860 to 1863. After that, he became a U.S. Senator from 1863 to 1875. He even took part in a major battle during the American Civil War while he was still governor.

William Sprague's Early Life

William Sprague was born in Cranston, Rhode Island. He was the youngest son of Amasa and Fanny Morgan Sprague. His uncle, also named William Sprague, was also a governor and senator.

William and his brother Amasa had to stop their schooling early. This happened when their father was sadly murdered in 1843. Both brothers then started working in their family's business. This company was called the A.& W. Sprague Manufacturing Company.

Family Business Success

The family business grew very large. It became the biggest factory in the world for printing calico cloth. Calico is a type of cotton fabric. The company owned five weaving factories across New England. These factories were connected by a railroad that the family also owned. This allowed them to bring cloth to Cranston for printing.

At 18, William joined the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery. This was a part of the Rhode Island Militia. He started as a private, which is the lowest rank. But he quickly moved up. Within three years, he became a colonel and led the unit. William even paid for all the unit's costs himself. This included uniforms, equipment, and weapons.

Politics and the Civil War

Like his uncle, William Sprague IV was interested in politics. In 1860, he was elected Governor of Rhode Island. He was re-elected in 1861 and 1862. At just 29 years old, he was the youngest governor in the country. People sometimes called him the "boy governor."

Rhode Island's Role in the Civil War

As the American Civil War began, Governor Sprague promised Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. President, that Rhode Island would help. When Lincoln asked for volunteers in April 1861, Rhode Island quickly formed two groups of soldiers.

Sprague thought the war would be very short. So, he went with the Rhode Island soldiers to the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861. This battle showed him that the war would last much longer than he expected. He was offered a high military rank, but he chose to stay governor instead. He wanted to focus on leading Rhode Island during the war.

In 1862, Sprague attended a meeting of loyal governors. This meeting supported President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. This important document declared many enslaved people free.

Serving as a U.S. Senator

After being governor, William Sprague was elected as a U.S. Senator for Rhode Island in 1863. He served two six-year terms until 1875. As a senator, he worked on important committees. These included committees about public lands and manufacturing.

William Sprague's Personal Life

On November 12, 1863, William Sprague married Kate Chase. Kate was the daughter of Salmon P. Chase, who was a very important government official. Kate was known as a very popular person in Washington, D.C. William gave Kate a beautiful tiara made of pearls and diamonds as a wedding gift.

William and Kate had four children together:

• William "Willie" Sprague V (1865–1890)
• Ethel Chase Sprague (1869–1936)
• Catherine "Kitty" Sprague (1872–1910)
• Portia Sprague (1873–1932)

Challenges and Changes

In 1873, William faced tough financial times. His large businesses had problems. Also, his father-in-law, Salmon P. Chase, passed away that same year. These events made things difficult for William and his family.

William and Kate's marriage eventually ended in 1882. After their separation, William stayed with his father. His daughters lived with Kate. Kate later lived at her father's old home in Washington, D.C.

Canonchet Mansion

In 1850, Sprague bought a farm in Narragansett. This land was once a summer camp for a Native American leader named Canonchet. In 1863, Sprague built a huge, beautiful 64-room mansion on the property. He named it Canonchet after the Sachem. Sadly, the mansion burned down in a fire on October 11, 1909. Today, the South County Museum is located on the land where the mansion once stood.

Later Years and Second Marriage

After his first marriage ended, William Sprague married Dora Inez Calvert in 1883. He became the first Town Council President of Narragansett, Rhode Island in 1900.

After the fire destroyed his mansion in 1909, the Spragues moved to Paris, France. During World War I, they even opened their apartment to help wounded soldiers from all countries.

William Sprague passed away on September 11, 1915, just one day before his 85th birthday. His body was brought back to Rhode Island and buried with full military honors. He was the last living senator who had served during the Civil War.

Images for kids

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  Ruby ambrotype of William Sprague in frame captioned "Union Now and Forever" (Liljenquist Collection)

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  William and Kate Sprague

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  Canonchet