Page:Men of Mark in America vol 2.djvu/338

 WINFIELD SCOTT SCHLEY CHLEY, WINFIELD SCOTT. There is probably not in the entire annals of the United States navy a more interesting personal record than that of Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, nor the chronicle of a career more varied and active. Almost from the time when in young manhood he took up his life work, he was a participant in events formative of character, and in turn he exerted upon history-making episodes in many different parts of the world the influence which is inalienable from a strong, vigorous personality. Withal, his triumphs in achievement have been thoroughly and typically American, marked by that decision, energy and definiteness of purpose which have proved foundation stones in the careers of so many of the men of mark in the republic.

Winfield Scott Schley was born near the town of Frederick, Maryland, October 9, 1839. He was the great-grandson of John Thomas Schley, who came to America from Germany, in 1739. The father of the subject of this sketch, likewise named John Thomas Schley, was successively a lawyer, a merchant and a farmer; and at all times one of the leading men of the community in which he lived. His son has designated as the father's most marked characteristics: "High morality, respect for the law, and an enthusiastic love of country." The briefest review of the life of Winfield Scott Schley cannot fail to show that these principles descended from father to son.

All the ancestors of Winfield Scott Schley were sturdy in devotion to the principles laid down in the Declaration of Independence, and in the constitution of the fathers; but aside from the example thus afforded, a most beneficial influence was exerted throughout his early boyhood by his mother, Georgianna Virginia McClure Schley. She was a woman of exceptional character and her influence was very strong upon the intellectual, moral and spiritual life of her son.

His boyhood did not differ materially from that of the normal healthy lad of the period. He was fond of play; and the soundness of his principles was evidenced even at this early day by his insistence