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.