Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/391



EWEY, GEORGE, son of a physician, student at Norwich military school, graduate of the United States naval academy, serving in the United States navy from acting midshipman 1854 to admiral 1899, distinguished himself at New Orleans and Port Hudson, Louisiana, 1862 and 1863, and at Manila Bay, May 1, 1898, where he fought the naval battle which gave the United States the Philippines. Born in Montpelier, Vermont, December 26, 1837, his father, Julius Yeamans Dewey, University of Vermont M.D., 1824, was a practising physician and president of the National Life Insurance Company of Montpelier, Vermont, 1851-71. His mother was Mary (Perrin) Dewey. His first ancestor in America, Thomas Dewey, emigrated from Sandwich, Kent, England, about 1630, became a freeman of Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay colony in 1364 and died in Windsor, Connecticut, April 27, 1648. His son, Josiah, was a sergeant in the Colonial army. George Dewey was a pupil in the public school in Montpelier, entered Norwich university, Norwich, Vermont, but left in September, 1854, before graduating, having been appointed from Vermont to the United States naval academy, Annapolis, Maryland, where he was graduated fifth in the class of 1858. He was assigned to the United States steam frigate Wabash and served in the Mediterranean squadron as midshipman. He returned to the United States in 1859, was advanced to passed midshipman January 19, 1861, and to master February 23, 1861. He was on leave of absence in 1861, when the Civil war broke out and he left Montpelier for Washington on learning of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, reported for duty to the secretary of the navy and was promoted to lieutenant U. S. N., April 19, 1861. He was assigned to the new heavy side-wheel steam frigate Mississippi, commanded by Captain Thomas O. Selfridge, in the West Gulf blockading squadron. In the Farragut-Porter expedition up the Mississippi river and past Forts Jackson and St. Philip, April, 1862, the Mississippi, took an important part in an attempt to run down the Confederate ram Manassas after that troublesome little vessel had rammed both