Ernest LeGrand Sprague, son of Daniel Henry and Elleanora Sinclair (Rhodes) Sprague, was born at “Woodward Villa,” East Providence, Rhode Island, December 22, 1876. Through his father’s line he is a direct descendant from Edward Sprague of Upway, Dorsetshire, England, through his son Ralph, who was one of the original settlers of Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1628-29; and through his paternal grandmother, Juliaette Diana (White) Sprague, is a descendant of Peregrine White, the first white child born in New England; through his mother, Elleanora Sinclair Rhodes, he is descended from Zachary Rhodes, born in Massachusetts, November 5, 1687, son of John Rhodes, one of the early settlers of Massachusetts.
Mr. Sprague was educated in the public schools, and was graduated from the Bridgham Grammar School of Providence, in 1892, and from the Providence Classical High School in 1896. He was elected page in the House of Representatives of the Rhode Island General Assembly and served, 1891-94; in the State Senate, 1894-96; clerk in the office of the Secretary of State of Rhode Island, 1894-1909 assistant and deputy Secretary of State, 1909-24; and has been Secretary of State since January, 1924. He is one of the three who have remained in continuous public service of the State for the greatest length of time.
He resides on the west shore of the Providence River, in Edgewood, city of Cranston, and is in politics a Republican.
He is a Past Master of Orpheus Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and a member of Harmony Chapter; Doric Council; Thomas Smith Webb Commandery; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Palestine Shrine Club; Trowel Club; Providence Forest, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; Alerta Club; Past Masters’ Association; Veteran Masons Association; Republican Club of Rhode Island; Republican Club of Cranston; Past Commander of General Burnside Camp, Sons of Union Veterans; past vice-president of Past Commanders Association, Sons of Union Veterans; British Empire Club; Rhode Island Yacht Club; trustee of the William H. Hall Free Library, Edgewood; and served as a member of the 3d Division, Naval Battalion, Rhode Island Militia; as assistant to the Headquarters for the draft for the late World War; and secretary of the commission having in charge the voting by service men absent from the State at the time of the State election of 1918.
Mr. Sprague married, at Providence, November 19, 1903, Magdalene Dickhaut, daughter of Andrew and Ada (Wagner) Dickhaut, of Providence. They have one daughter, Marjory Rhodes Sprague, born August 14, 1908, at Providence.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.