Samuel E. Pingree

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American politician

title: "Samuel E. Pingree" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1832-births", "1922-deaths", "people-from-salisbury,-new-hampshire", "republican-party-governors-of-vermont", "lieutenant-governors-of-vermont", "united-states-army-medal-of-honor-recipients", "people-of-vermont-in-the-american-civil-war", "vermont-brigade", "union-army-soldiers", "people-from-hartford,-vermont", "politicians-from-windsor-county,-vermont", "vermont-lawyers", "state's-attorneys-in-vermont", "norwich-university-alumni", "american-civil-war-recipients-of-the-medal-of-honor", "19th-century-american-lawyers"] description: "American politician" topic_path: "law" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_E._Pingree" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American politician ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox officeholder"]

Field	Value
name	Samuel E. Pingree
image	Samuel E. Pingree.jpg
caption	Samuel E. Pingree as depicted in Deeds of Valor
order1	40th
office1	Governor of Vermont
term_start1	October 2, 1884
term_end1	October 7, 1886
lieutenant1	Ebenezer J. Ormsbee
predecessor1	John L. Barstow
successor1	Ebenezer J. Ormsbee
order2	34th
office2	Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
term_start2	October 5, 1882
term_end2	October 2, 1884
governor2	John L. Barstow
predecessor2	John L. Barstow
successor2	Ebenezer J. Ormsbee
office3	Chairman of the Vermont Railroad Commission
term_start3	1886
term_end3	1894
predecessor3	None (position created)
successor3	Olin Merrill
office4	State's Attorney of Windsor County, Vermont
term_start4	1867
term_end4	1869
predecessor4	John F. Deane
successor4	James N. Edminster
office5	Town Clerk of Hartford, Vermont
term_start5	1865
term_end5	1922
predecessor5	George Tenney
successor5	William S. Pingree
term_start6	1861
term_end6	1861
predecessor6	Justin C. Brooks
successor6	Justin C. Brooks
birth_date
birth_place	Salisbury, New Hampshire, U.S.
death_date
death_place	Hartford, Vermont, U.S.
restingplace	Hartford Cemetery, Hartford, Vermont U.S.
spouse
education	Dartmouth College
profession
party	Republican
allegiance	United States of America
Union
branch	Union Army
rank	Lieutenant Colonel
serviceyears	1861–1864
commands	Company F, 3rd Vermont Infantry
2nd Vermont Infantry
unit	1st Vermont Brigade
battles	American Civil War
awards	Medal of Honor
signature	Signature of Samuel Everett Pingree (1832–1922).png
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A native of Salisbury, New Hampshire, Pingree graduated from Dartmouth College in 1857, studied law, and attained admission to the bar in 1859. He then began to practice in Hartford, Vermont in partnership with his brother Stephen. In 1861, he served as Hartford's town clerk.

During the American Civil War, Pingree joined the 3rd Vermont Infantry, and after receiving his commission, he advanced to captain as commander of the regiment's Company F. In 1864, he was a lieutenant colonel when he was assigned to command the 2nd Vermont Infantry, which he led until receiving his discharge in July 1864. Pingree took part in numerous battles, and in 1891 received the Medal of Honor for heroism at Lee's Mills while commanding Company F in 1862.

After his military service, Pingree practiced law in Hartford and became active in politics as a Republican. He was Hartford's town clerk from 1865 to 1922, and State's Attorney of Windsor County from 1867 to 1869. In 1882 he was the successful Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, and he served for two years. In 1884, he was the Republican nominee for governor. He won the general election and served one two-year term, in keeping with the provisions of the party's "Mountain Rule".

After his term as governor, Pingree continued to practice law in Hartford. When the Vermont Railroad Commission was created in 1886, he was appointed its first chairman, and he served until 1894. He died in Hartford on June 1, 1922 and was buried at Hartford Cemetery in Hartford.

Early life

Samuel E. Pingree was born in Salisbury, New Hampshire on August 2, 1832, the son of Stephen and Judith (True) Pingrey. He received his early education in Andover, New Hampshire, and McIndoes Falls, Vermont, then entered Dartmouth College, where he graduated in 1857. He studied law with his cousin Augustus P. Hunton in Bethel, Vermont, and was admitted to the bar of Windsor County in December 1859. He then began practicing law in Hartford in partnership with his brother Stephen (1835–1892).

Civil War

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Samuel_e_pingree_civil_war.jpg" caption="Capt. Samuel E. Pingree"] ::

Pingree enlisted in Company F, 3rd Vermont Infantry in 1861, and was soon chosen first lieutenant. In August 1861, he was promoted to captain, and was commissioned major on September 27, 1862, and lieutenant colonel on January 15, 1863. He was severely wounded at the Battle at Lee's Mills on April 16, 1862, during which he led his company and three others across a wide creek and drove the enemy from rifle pits on the opposite bank. In addition to losing his right thumb, Pingree contracted typhoid; reports of his death appeared in Vermont newspapers, but were quickly corrected. He spent ten weeks recuperating in a Philadelphia hospital.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Samuel_E.Pingree(Governor_of_Vermont).jpg" caption="Pingree as a lieutenant colonel in 1863"] ::

During the second day of the Battle of the Wilderness, Pingree was placed in command of the 2nd Vermont Infantry, since all the field officers of that unit had been killed or wounded. Pingree participated in the battles of Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Weldon Railroad, where he narrowly escaped capture with a portion of his command. Pingree's final military action occurred at Fort Stevens on July 11 and 12, 1864. He mustered out of the service on July 27, 1864, having remained in uniform two months past the end of his enlistment obligation. On August 17, 1891, Pingree received the Medal of Honor for his 1862 actions at Lee's Mills.

While Samuel Pingree served with the 2nd and 3rd Vermont, his brother Stephen Morse Pingree (1835-1892) was a member of the 4th Vermont Infantry; originally a first lieutenant in Company E, he eventually attained the rank of colonel as the regiment's commander.

After leaving the Army, Samuel and Stephen Pingree led the 8th Infantry Regiment of the Vermont Militia; Samuel commanded as a colonel, and Stephen was second-in-command as a lieutenant colonel.

Postwar life

Pingree returned to Hartford and his law practice, and received his Master of Arts degree from Dartmouth in 1867. While in college, Pingree became a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Delta Kappa Epsilon. In 1868 and 1869, he was state's attorney for Windsor County. He served as town clerk of Hartford for over 50 years, and was chosen delegate-at-large to the 1868 Republican National Convention in Chicago. In 1870 he was elected president of the Reunion Society of Vermont Officers. Pingree was an active member of the Windsor County Republican Committee and attended numerous local and state party conventions as a delegate.

In the fall of 1882, Pingree was elected lieutenant governor, and in 1884, governor. "His administration was characterized by the same efficiency and zeal which he has ever displayed as soldier, lawyer and citizen." During his gubernatorial term, Vermont took steps to conduct oversight and examination of the state's banks and expanded regulation of insurance companies by requiring them to submit annual reports and financial statements. In addition, he worked to increase the length of the school year and expand the number of local schools. On May 1, 1885 he inaugurated Arbor Day in Vermont, making the state the first east of the Mississippi to celebrate the day. During his term Pingree also advocated laws prohibiting the adulteration of maple syrup and honey, which unscrupulous operators had begun to dilute with beet sugar and other less expensive fillers.

After his governorship, Pingree served as chairman of the newly established state railway commission from 1886 to 1894. He was a trustee of Vermont Academy in Saxtons River from 1885 to 1910. He was active in the Grand Army of the Republic and also served as judge advocate of the Medal of Honor Legion, an organization established in 1890 to protect the reputation of the award. He was also a trustee of the State Normal School in Randolph for many years, and also served as president of the White River Savings Bank.

In 1886 he was awarded the honorary degree of LL.D. from Norwich University. Pingree died in Hartford on June 1, 1922. He was buried at Hartford Cemetery in Hartford.

Family

On September 15, 1869, Pingree married Lydia M. Steele, daughter of Sanford and Mary (Hinman) Steele, of Stanstead, Quebec. Lydia Steele was the sister of Benjamin H. Steele, who was a college classmate of Pingree's, and served as an Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.

Lydia Steele and Samuel Pingree were the parents of an adopted son, William Steele Pingree (1879-1965). William S. Pingree attended Norwich University for three years, and Boston University School of Law for one. He completed his legal studies with his father, and after being admitted to the bar in 1904, the younger Pingree practiced law in Hartford, served as town clerk (1923-1942), and also served as Windsor County State's Attorney.

Medal of Honor citation

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/medal_of_honor_old.jpg"] ::

Rank and Organization: :Captain, Company F, 3d Vermont Infantry Place and date: Lees Mills, Va., April 16, 1862. Entered service at. Hartford, Vt. Birth: Salisbury, N.H. Date of issue: August 17, 1891.

Citation: :Gallantly led his company across a wide, deep creek, drove the enemy from the rifle pits, which were within 2 yards of the farther bank, and remained at the head of his men until a second time severely wounded.

Notes

References

Sources

Benedict, G. G., Vermont in the Civil War, Burlington, VT: The Free Press Association, 1888, pp. i:114–116, 138–144, 148–149, 254–259, 376, 443, 462, 476, 491; ii:357–361, 364.
Carleton, Hiram, Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont, New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1903, pp. i:16–18.
Dodge, Prentiss C., Encyclopedia Vermont Biography, Burlington, VT: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p. 47.
Peck, Theodore S., compiler, Revised Roster of Vermont Volunteers and Lists of Vermonters Who Served in the Army and Navy of the United States During the War of the Rebellion, 1861–66. Montpelier, VT.: Press of the Watchman Publishing Co., 1892, pp. 67, 70, 89, 741.

References

Cutler, William Richard. (1915). "New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial". Lewis Historical Publishing Company.
(May 29, 1862). "Vermont News: Capt. Samuel E. Pingree". Vermont Christian Messenger.
(December 1, 1883). "Pensioners In Hartford". Vermont Journal.
(October 15, 1891). "Vermont News: Vermont Veterans Honored". St. Johnsbury Caledonian.
Vermont Bar Association. (1895). "Report of Proceedings of the Annual Meeting". Vermont Bar Association.
Vermont Adjutant General. (1865). "Annual Report of the Adjutant & Inspector General". Walton's Steam Printing Establishment.
Marquis, Albert Nelson. (1923). "Who's Who In America". A. N. Marquis & Company.
(March 30, 1876). "Republican State Convention". [[The Burlington Free Press]].
(February 7, 1880). "At the Windsor County Republican Convention". Vermont Journal.
Ullery, Jacob G.. (1894). "Men of Vermont illustrated". Transcript Publishing Company.
"Biography, Gov. Samuel E. Pingree". National Governors Association.
Horton, Bella. "Dartmouth College Public Service Legacy: Samuel Everett Pingree, Class of 1857". Hanover, NH.
Mollan, Mark C., [https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2001/summer/medal-of-honor-1.html "The Army Medal of Honor, The First Fifty-five Years"], ''Prologue: Quarterly of the National Archives and Records Administration,'' Summer 2001, vol. 33, no. 2.
Ellis, William Arba. (1911). "Norwich University, 1819-1911: Her History, Her Graduates, Her Roll of Honor". Capital City Press.
(June 1, 1922). "Was War Hero And Governor: Samuel Pingree, One of Vermont's Prominent Men, Is Dead". [[Barre Montpelier Times Argus.
(June 2, 1922). "Ex-Governor Pingree Passes At Age Of 89". [[Rutland Herald]].
Plante, Peter P.. (1966). "Memorial to William S. Pingree, published in Report of Proceedings of the Annual Meeting". Vermont Bar Association.
Vermont General Assembly. (1917). "Journal of the Senate of the State of Vermont". Capital City Press.

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