Amasa Sprague Jr.

Sprague was born on December 19, 1828, at the family residence in Cranston, Rhode Island. He attended public and private schools and the East Greenwich Academy. Following his father's murder in 1843, Sprague began to handle a large amount of responsibility for the A & W Sprague. After the death of his uncle William Sprague III, Sprague and his brother William Sprague IV took control of the family's mills. They completed construction of the Baltic, Connecticut, cotton mill planned by their uncle. The company's business grew during the American Civil War. During the early 1870s, the output of A & W Sprague's nine mills was greater than all of the other mills in the United States combined and the firm's profits were around $20 million annually.^[1] Due to bad investments and careless speculation, the company fell into receivership following the Panic of 1873 and by 1875, almost all of the Spragues' assets had been sold.^[2]

Sprague served on his brother's staff during his term as governor and received the title of colonel. He represented Cranston in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1864 to 1865 and again from 1884 to 1885. After moving to Cowesett he represented Warwick, Rhode Island, in the Rhode Island Senate.^[1] In 1886, Sprague was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Rhode Island.^[3] He lost to Republican incumbent George P. Wetmore 53% to 37%.^[4] From 1890 until his death in 1902, Sprague served as sheriff of Kent County, Rhode Island.^[5] In 1890, Sprague switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.^[1]