http://www.sharonhist.org/inventor-frank-sprague.pdf

The link above is the story of Frank Sprague. I came across Sprague  
while looking for "Twain Connections" here in Connecticut. It was a  
very surprising connection because A). I never thought I'd find a  
Twain connection here in Sharon, where I live now and B). Because it  
uncovered a mans life that I never knew existed. I've noted some of  
his accomplishments below *they're amazing!* and I share this link  
here on the forum because the author (Ed Kirby) liked the "Twain  
Connection" so much that he decided to include it within the story. In  
his research, he also found that the Spragues were also close with the  
Howells and added that in after the Twain story.

Ed Kirby's daughter now lives in the Sprague house and has agreed to  
alert me if she comes across any more photos from Clara's wedding. :)

I wish you all an enjoyable holiday!

Brent M. Colley


Frank Sprague-

Known as "The Father of Electric Traction", engineer genius Frank  
Julian Sprague and his family owned a home in Sharon, Connecticut for  
nearly twenty years in the early twentieth century.

As a mathematical genius and inventor Sprague developed a new breed of  
electric motors that provided horizontal traction for cutting edge  
vehicles such as the trolley car and subway train.

In the field of vertical traction Sprague developed electric elevators  
that far surpassed the effectiveness of the water, steam and hydraulic  
systems.

Among his numerous accomplishments were the development of the  
electric streetcar, the electric multi-unit control for light transit  
trains, and electric elevators for extremely high-level city buildings.

The inventions of Frank Sprague not only made transportation more  
available and practical, they had a profound affect on the economic  
growth of cities.

http://www.sharonhist.org/inventor-frank-sprague.pdf