admin CARLETON SPRAGUE, son of E. Carleton Sprague, was born in Buffalo on the 24th of December, 1858. He attended the public schools. Prof. Briggs’ Classical School, and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1877, and Harvard College in the class of 1881. In college he was editor of the “Harvard Lampoon” and President of the Harvard Advocate, another well-known college paper, and upon graduation was chosen Ivy Orator of his class. Leaving college, Mr. Sprague began reading law with his father, but after a short time entered the employ of the Buffalo Pitts Company. In 1883 he became Vice President of the Company; was elected President in 1891, and later filled also the office of Treasurer, resigning the latter office a. few years ago. At present he is chairman of the board of -trustees, having resigned his active duties as President.
Mr. Sprague was one of the founders of the Saturn Club, which was organized at his residence, and of which he was elected the first Dean, serving three years and later serving two terms in the same office. He is a member of the Buffalo, Country, Thursday, and University clubs of Buffalo, and ‘Century Club of New York City. He is Vice-President of the Harvard Club of Buffalo, and in 1906 was nominated for Overseer of Harvard College. He is President of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, Vice-President of the Society of Artists and trustee of the Charity Organization Society. He is also, a member of the council of the University of Buffalo. Mr. Sprague was a member of the Pan-American Exposition’s Board of Directors, as well as the Executive, Pine Arts, Building and Grounds Committees.
Mr. Sprague has delivered many addresses on literary subjects, and in 1905 published a poem entitled “The Mission of Beauty.”
April 17, 1883, Mr. Sprague married Alice L. Brayley, a daughter of James and Mary A. (Pitts) Brayley, of the Brayley family originally of Exeter, England, but later and at the time of their deaths both being residents of Buffalo. The father of Mrs. Brayley was John A. Pitts, one of the founders of the Buffalo Pitts Company.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I