George Dewey.
George Dewey, the third admiral of the United States navy, was born at Montpelier, Vermont, December 26, 1837. His father, Julius Yemans Dewey, was a physician. George attended school in Montpelier and at Johnson, Vermont. In 1853 he entered the University of Norwich, Vermont, but, instead of completing his course, he secured an appointment in the United States naval academy in 1854. He was graduated with honors in 1858 and was attached to the steam frigate Wabash. In 1861 he was commissioned a lieutenant and assigned to the steam sloop Mississippi, of the West Gulf squadron. He saw his first service under fire with Farragut in 1862, served with distinction all through the Civil war, and, at the close, he was commissioned lieutenant-commander. From 1868 to 1870 he was an instructor in the naval academy. Promoted to a captaincy in 1884, he was placed in command of the Dolphin, but in 1895 was returned to the European station in command of the flagship Pensacola; there he remained until 1888, when he was ordered home and appointed chief of the bureau of equipment, ranking as commander. On February 26, 1896, he was commissioned commander and made president of the board of inspection and survey, which position he held until January, 1898, when he was given command of the Asiatic station. While at Hongkong Prince Henry of Germany gave a banquet, at which he proposed a toast to the various countries represented, but omitted the United States, whereupon Commander Dewey left the room without ceremony. Three days after the beginning of the war with Spain President McKinley cabled him at Hongkong: “Proceed at once to the Philippine Islands. Commence operations, particularly against the Spanish fleet. You must capture or destroy the vessels. Use utmost endeavor.” Dewey’s success in carrying out these orders is known to all the world. President McKinley yielded to the popular demand that the rank of rear-admiral be revived in favor of Dewey. Accordingly, on March 3, 1899, the appointment was confirmed in executive session of the United States senate. He was married at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 24, 1867, to Susan B., daughter of ex-Governor Ichabod Goodwin, who died in December, 1872; he was again married to Mrs. Mildred Hazen in Washington on November 9, 1899.