Washington

PRAY, Rufus M.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 326

Rufus M. PRAY, of South Woodbury [Washington County, Vermont], was born 08 
April 1844 in Calais [Washington County, Vermont], son of Thomas and Polly 
(KING) PRAY. His father was a carpenter and joiner, who was a long time 
resident of the town, in the schools of which Rufus received his education. 
The latter [Rufus M. PRAY], a mere lad of seventeen, did not resist the 
patriotic impulse that moved him to enter the ranks of the Union army, and 
enlisted in the Second New Hampshire Regiment, which for three months 
garrisoned at old Fort Constitution on the seacoast of that state.

On his journey homewards, he stopped at St. Johnsbury [Caledonia County, 
Vermont], where Company K, of Calais, Third Regiment Vermont Volunteers, were 
engaged in their daily drill, and such was the enthusiasm of the young 
volunteer, that he at once re-enlisted without even bidding farewell to he 
loved ones at home or crossing the paternal threshold. Mr. PRAY shared the 
fortunes of the gallant third in all its numerous engagements from 
Lewisville and Lee's Mills to the bloody battles of the Wilderness, where he 
was wounded in foot and forehead, and was sent to the S. A. Douglas hospital 
at Washington, from thence transferred to the U. S. General Hospital at 
Montpelier, from which he boldly returned to active duty before his wounds 
were wholly healed.

He then experienced the vicissitudes of SHERIDAN's Shenandoah campaign, and 
at Cedar Creek, while on the skirmish line, received a dangerous wound in his 
hip, which was traversed by a mini ball. He was carried twelve miles in an 
army wagon to Sheridan Hospital, then sent to Frederick, Maryland, and later 
to Montpelier, where he received an honorable discharge after a gallant 
service of four years, one month, and twenty-six days, during which time he 
was not excused from duty a single hour, except when wounded.

Since his return from the army, though for more than a year a cripple, he has 
been able to labor a little at his trade of carpenter and joiner, and to 
cultivate with effort a small farm. On 08 August 1864 Mr. [Rufus M.] PRAY 
married Nellie A., daughter of David and Sabrina (CHASE) WHITHAM of Woodbury 
[Washington County, Vermont]. One child has been the issue: Lillian M. 
(Mrs. Robert B. TASSIE) of Montpelier [Washington County, Vermont]. Mr. PRAY 
is a Republican. He was appointed postmaster at South Woodbury 12 July 1889, 
under President HARRISON, and held that position until his resignation on 
being elected to the Legislature in 1892 by an unusual majority, He was town 
treasurer in 1891-1892.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly