The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1899-10-05
COMES OF FIGHTING BLOOD.
Early Career and Characteristics OF
America's Popular Idol.

Early Career and Characteristics of
America's Popular Idol.
Admiral George Dewey comes from a
lighting stock. There have been Dewey
lighters in every American war since
Thomas Dewey, the founder of the fam
ly in this country, built his cottage in
Dorcester, Mass, in 1883. This pioneer
Dewey of the New World was born in
Sandwich, England. In the revolution
AIRY war we read of a Dewey parson in
southern Vermont who adjourned church
service to fight with the gallant Stark
against the Hessians at the battle of
Bennington, and who then returned and
completed his sermon. There was a
Corporal Dewey who took part in the
first skirmisE at Lexington. All told,
The Deweys furnished twenty-f -four sol
ders in the revolutionary war. In the
war of 1912 there were thirteen Deweys
who aided in defense of the flag.
BY ihe time the civil war broke out the
Dewey name was widely extended. Two
dozen Deweys fought among the boys in
blue from old Vermont. One Massachu-
.etts regiment contained six Deweys and
was commanded by relative of Admiral
Oewey's mother. Admiral Dewey him
self won high honors under Farragut and
his brother Edward entered the war
private and came out captain. In Lii
lois seventy men bearing the Dewey
aame entered the Union ranks. On the
maternal side Admiral Dewey is related
70 the Porter family, which gave two
nayal captains to the nation.
In the war with Spain one of the ad-
mirals brothers sent his two sons to the
front and the son of the other volunteer
I'd, but got no opportunity to serve. as
yermont's quota was already filed. And
the Vermont regiment, by the way. was
commanded by cousin of the family.
Dewey's Father.
Admiral Dewey is in the ninth genera
ton from that Thomas Dewey who car
sied his household goods to Dorchester
IN 1858. The admiral grandmother,
Simeon Dewey, was born in Hanover, \.
a., considerably over century ago and
bought a farm near Berlin, four miles
from Hanover. Here, in 1901, the ad-
nirai's father, Dr. julius Yemans Dewey,
was born In 1920 DR.. Dewey settled in
Montpelier, marrying, in 1925, Miss Mary
Perrin. Four children were the result
,f this union, Charles, Edward, George
md Mary, all of whom are living.
DR.. Dewey, father of the admiral, was
deeply religious man. He was man
of culture and of force of character yet
de had Il heart that was full of the milk
Of human kindness. He was poor lad
when he struck out into the world for
himself. BY teaching school in Montpe-
H., 80 l..
aim 10 study medicine and take out his
degree. In Montpelier and the surround
ing region DR.. Dewey was greatly belov-
ID. He was a pioneer in life insurance
and founded company of which his son,
Charles, is president, and another son,
Edward. director. He founded Christ
Episcopal Church, Montpelier, and here it
was that the future admiral was bap-
tzed, attended the Sunday school and
was confirmed. Here, too, when the fu-
ture admiral was ) years old took place
the first funeral from the church, that of
dis mother, Mary Perrin. Many years
DIR. Dewey was carried from
the same church to Green Mount Gene
!ery, where he now rests near the scene
Of his life's labors.
An Early AneCdOte.
There are many anecdotes told of
George Dewey in those far-off days in
Vermont, long ere the future admiral
dreamed of the stern realities of life.
He had temper that had habit of as
serting itself aud that caused good DR.. |
Dewey considerable worry. He was a
leader among his companions in all kinds |
Of childish prankS and was a fighter. In
,act his combatiyeness was always pro-
Once in his fathers buggy he set out |
with companion to bring home the |
rows. They found the ford over the Dog |
river, which enters the Winooski near |
impossible. Against the ad
rice of his companion, George drove into
he rushing stream. The top of the buggy |
was carried away and the lads only saved |
themselves by getting on the horses back.
When George returned home his father
vas away and the youngsters innate
sense of tactics prompted him to 20 to
ped. The father soon afterward made
lis appearance in Georges chamber and
began chding him for his rashness. From
he depths of the bedclotheS came this
childish appeal: You ought to be thank
'ul that my life was spared The good
loctor turned away without another
word.
His Schoolboy Days.
George Dewey was sent first, when a
title chap, TO the Washington County
grammar school in Montpelier. The
scholars there did not have the reputation
# being amenable to discipline, and it is
o be feared that George was no excep-
ion to the rule. To this school in due