Part 2/11:
At just twenty years old, in 1891, Mary married Charles Sprague, a Harvard-educated lawyer and rising politician from a distinguished New England family. This union quickly elevated their social standing, fueling their ambitions and wealth. Notably, Charles's political career saw him ascend from local offices to serve in the U.S. Congress from 1897 to 1901. By this time, media reports claimed he was the wealthiest congressman, with an estimated net worth of around $7 million, largely inherited from Mary.