95

Sprague married Mary Bryant Pratt in 1891. Mary was the granddaughter of

William Weld and inherited a fortune variously reported between $3,000,000 and

$20,000,000. Their daughter Marion was born in 1893 and daughter Eleanor was

born in 1898.

When Sprague was elected to Congress in 1896 he was rated as the richest man in

the National House of Representatives with a fortune estimated at $7,000,000. He

was the owner of the Faulkner Estate in Brookline. When he moved from Boston

to Washington, a special train of nine cars carried his household goods.

Sprague suffered from brain disease and after his death at the young age of forty-

four, the Harvard Alumni Association paid this tribute:

“

One of Sprague

‟

s strongest characteristics was his keen sense of humor, and

this, together with his attractive personality, caused him throughout his life to be

much welcomed at all social gatherings. Perhaps no one in the Class had a

popularity so widely spread. It may be truly said of him that he added to the

sum of the world

‟

s happiness by the enjoyment that his mere presence and

conversation afforded, and that this, of nothing else, gave a value to his life.

While not given to very serious study during his college course, he showed,

immediately after graduation, his determination to take a part in the affairs of the

world. He was honest and conscientious in the performance of his public duties,

and trusts, and had he lived, would doubtless have attained the higher positions

to which his ambitions pointed.

”

The Boston Herald

reported in the April 20, 1896 on Sprague

‟

s move from Boston

to Brookline. They noted that

“

Mr. Sprague is a member of several prominent

clubs in this city. The family is identified with the leading social elements in

Boston and Brookline. The craze for athletics has never attacked Mr. Sprague. He

likes to ride a horse and is fond of his bicycle, but his inclinations run in the

direction of no particular fad. To him

life is a serious business not to be

frittered away in idleness and

pleasure.

”

Note: I thank the Biographical Directory of the

United States Congress, the Harvard Alumni

Association and Max Roesler for information on

Sprague.

Charles gave William this corkscrew: