Fifteenth Generation

236. Admiral George DEWEY was born on 26 December 1837 in Montpelier, Washington County, VT.^72,73,175 Biographical Sketch

"George Dewey was born in Montpelier, Vermont, on December 26, 1837. He was the youngest son of Julius Yemans Dewey (1801-1877) and Mary Perrin Dewey (1799-1843), who died when the boy was five years old.

The family remained close
despite their loss and George Dewey grew up to be, as his father described him, a
“natural leader.”

George Dewey’s naval career began at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, when he was seventeen years old. He attended Norwich with the intent to prepare himself for the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, to which he transferred in 1855. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1858, the fifth in his class.

The following two years he experienced his first taste of naval life on the frigate Wabash in the Mediterranean. In 1861 he was commissioned lieutenant of the Mississippi, which was one of the largest and heaviest armed ships in the Union Navy; a few months later he was made executive officer of the side-wheeler.

Between 1868-1869 he was an instructor at the Naval Academy, and in 1870 he was assigned to the steamer Narragansett for
special service. He was eventually made commander of the Narragansett and was sent to
survey the Pacific Coast for four years. In 1882 he was assigned to command the Juanita in the Asiatic squadron, and two years later he was promoted to Captain and assigned to command the Dolphin.

In 1889 he was Chief of the Bureau of Equipment and recruiting and earned the rank of Commodore in 1896. The next year he was sent to China in
command of the Asiatic Squadron.

George Dewey is most famous for the May 1, 1898, defeat of the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay in the Philippine Islands. This victory made the United States one of the principal powers in the East, renewed confidence in the Navy, and made George Dewey
admired by his country. Celebrations were held throughout the country.

In Vermont, to honor its hometown hero, Dewey Day was held in Montpelier on October 12, 1899. All sorts of Dewey memorabilia were sold throughout the country, everything from fine china to soap. During Dewey’s lifetime he was one of the most famous men in America.

On May 9, 1898, President William McKinley recommended Congress to appoint George Dewey to Acting Rear Admiral of the United States Navy for his patriotism and success at the Battle of Manila Bay."

. He died on 16 January 1917 at the age of 79 in Washington, District of Columbia.^175,176 "George Dewey died on January 16, 1917, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery."

. He was buried after 16 January 1917 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁷³ in the Arlington National Cemetery.

Admiral George DEWEY and Susan P. GOODWIN were married on 24 October 1867. Susan P. GOODWIN was born (date unknown).

Admiral George DEWEY and Susan P. GOODWIN had the following children: