Windsor

PINGREE, Samuel E.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 315-316 
(portrait p 316)

Samuel E. PINGREE, of Hartford [Windsor County, Vermont], was born 02 August 
1832 in Salisbury [Merrimack County], New Hampshire, son of Stephen and 
Judith (TRUE) PINGREE. Moses PENGRE [different spelling], his earliest 
American ancestor, was the proprietor of salt works in Ipswich [Essex County, 
Massachusetts] as early as 1652, was selectman of that town, deacon of the 
First Church, and deputy of the general court in 1665, and from him, Samuel 
E. PINGREE is the sixth in lineal descent. After the usual preliminary 
studies pursued in the academies at Andover [Merrimack County], New Hampshire 
and McIndoes Falls [Caledonia County, Vermont], he entered Dartmouth College, 
from which he graduated in 1857. Selecting the profession of law, he studied 
in the office of Hon. A. P. HUNTON of Bethel [Windsor County, Vermont], and 
was admitted to the bar of Windsor County at the December term of 1859, after 
which admission he began to practice at Hartford with fair prospects of 
success.

At this juncture the war for the preservation of the Union commenced, and Mr. 
[Samuel E.] PINGREE promptly responded to President LINCOLN's call for troops 
by enlisting as a private in Company F, Third Regiment Vermont Volunteers, 
and was soon chosen first lieutenant. In August 1861 he was promoted to 
captain, commissioned major 27 September 1862, for meritorious conduct, and 
received the grade of lieutenant colonel on 15 January 1863. In his first 
important engagement, that of Lee's Mills, Virginia, he was severely wounded 
and confined for ten weeks in hospital at Philadelphia, but returned to his 
command immediately upon his recovery, and was present in most of the 
important battles in which the Army of the Potomac was engaged. In the 
second day's battle of the Wilderness, Lieutenant Colonel PINGREE was placed 
in command of the famous Second Vermont Regiment (all the field officers of 
that regiment having been killed or wounded), and this honorable position he 
retained until that organization was mustered out of the U. S. service. 
After participating in the battles of Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna 
River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and in the in the sanguinary struggle for the 
possession of the Weldon Railroad, in which last affair he narrowly escaped 
capture with a portion of his command, he concluded his military service by 
assisting to repulse the movement of General [Jubal A.] EARLY on Washington, 
arriving with his comrades of the Sixth Corps just in time to save the 
capital of the nation from destruction. He was honorably mustered out of 
service 27 July 1864.

Though not an office seeker Colonel PINGREE has never shunned 
responsibilities of official position; has been town clerk of Hartford 
thirty-four years, less the time he was in the war; in 1868 delegate at large 
to the national Republican convention at Chicago; two years subsequently was 
made president of the Reunion Society of Vermont Officers, before which he 
delivered an excellent and scholarly address in 1872; in the fall election of 
1882 chosen Lieutenant Governor of the state; two years later elected 
Governor. His administration was characterized by the same efficiency and 
zeal which he has ever displayed as soldier, lawyer and citizen. Upon the 
establishing of a state railway commission, ex-Governor PINGREE was appointed 
chairman of the board, in which position he is now serving. On 15 September 
1869 Governor [Samuel E.] PINGREE married Lydia M., daughter of Sanford and 
Mary (HINMAN) STEELE, of Stanstead, Province of Quebec [Stanstead, Stanstead 
Township, Province of Quebec, is just north of border between Essex County, 
Vermont, and Canada.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly