Samuel E. Pingree

Samuel E. Pingree
Samuel E. Pingree as depicted in Deeds of Valor
40th Governor of Vermont
In office
October 2, 1884 – October 7, 1886
LieutenantEbenezer J. Ormsbee
Preceded byJohn L. Barstow
Succeeded byEbenezer J. Ormsbee
34th Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
In office
October 5, 1882 – October 2, 1884
GovernorJohn L. Barstow
Preceded byJohn L. Barstow
Succeeded byEbenezer J. Ormsbee
Chairman of the Vermont Railroad Commission
In office
1886–1894
Preceded byNone (position created)
Succeeded byOlin Merrill
State's Attorney of Windsor County, Vermont
In office
1867–1869
Preceded byJohn F. Deane
Succeeded byJames N. Edminster
Town Clerk of Hartford, Vermont
In office
1865–1922
Preceded byGeorge Tenney
Succeeded byWilliam S. Pingree
In office
1861–1861
Preceded byJustin C. Brooks
Succeeded byJustin C. Brooks
Personal details
Born(1832-08-02)August 2, 1832
Salisbury, New Hampshire, U.S.
DiedJune 1, 1922(1922-06-01) (aged 89)
Hartford, Vermont, U.S.
Resting placeHartford Cemetery, Hartford, Vermont U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Lydia M. Steele
(m. 1869)
EducationDartmouth College
Profession
  • Lawyer
  • Politician
AwardsMedal of Honor
Signature
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Branch/serviceUnion Army
Years of service1861–1864
RankLieutenant Colonel
Unit1st Vermont Brigade
CommandsCompany F, 3rd Vermont Infantry
2nd Vermont Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Samuel Everett Pingree (August 2, 1832 – June 1, 1922) was an American lawyer and politician from Vermont. A Republican, he served as lieutenant governor from 1882 to 1884 and governor from 1884 to 1886. Pingree was a Union Army veteran of the American Civil War and received the Medal of Honor for heroism at the 1862 Battle at Lee's Mills.

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.