The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-02-08
Edwin DENLY, Secre-
tary of Navy at
One Time, Succumbs
CONTINUED from page one)

gal connections and was, strongly
urged as candidate for the United
States senate.
Denby's service to his country was
full and varied. It ran the gamut
from "gob" in the navy and Devil
Dog" In the Marine Corps to head of
the navy department. His career,
begun in his home state of Indiana,
carried him to China, through the
University OF Michigan Law School,.
to fame as Wolverine football star,
to the decks of the U. S. S. Yosemite
during the Spanish-American war,
the Michigan legislature, to the ma
tional house of representatives, to
important positions in Detroit's mo-
tor industry and to the cabinet.
DENLY was born In Evansville, Ind,
February 18, 1870, the son of Charles
and Martha Fitch DENLY. His father
for many years was United States
minister to China.
Young DENLY left the Evansville
high school in 1885 before graduating
to accompany his father to the Far
East. There he remained nine years,
serving from 1887 to 1894 with the
Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs
Service. This service was the founda-
ton for q knowledge of the Far East
that resulted in his being regarded in
later years as an authority on that
section Of the globe.
Entering the University of Michi-
gan at the age of "a, DENLY was
graduated in 1896 with a Bachelor OF
Law degree. His great physique
aided him in establishing a reputa-
ton as football player.
Was Practicing Law
DENLY was practicing law in De-
troit as q member of the firm of
Chamberlain. DENLY. Webster. and
Kennedy when the Spanish-American
war came. He .nlisted in the navy
and served aboard the U.S.S. Yosem-
tie as gunner's mate. third class.
from April to August, 1893.
The ship saw active service, con-
veying the U. s. s. Panther to Guam
tanamo Bay when that craft landed
the first American troops on Cuban
soil. under the guns of the Yosemite.
When the war ended, DENLY re-
sumed his law practice, going in 1903
to the state legislature and two years
later to the national house of repre-
sentatives where he represented the
first Michigan district until 1911.
Detroit's industrial activity then
engaged his attention. He was an
original stakeholder in the Hupp
Motor company and later its treas
urer. He next became an organizer
Of the DENLY Motor Truck company.
He retained his legal connections. and
found time also to act as president
Of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce.
When the world war came, DENLY
was fully occupied with his business
affairs, yet he was one Of the first OF
Michigan's prominent men to volun-
teer IN the ranks.
A week after the American declara-
tion OF war DENLY had enlisted as c
private in the Marines.
Some must enlist in the ranks"
he said. "An cannot be officers"
But he was not private long. In
two months he was q corporal, q
sergeant shortly afterward. and in six
months second lieutenant. At the
end OF the war he was discharged
with the rank Of major.
Much Of his war time was spent at
the Marine recruit camp at Paris
Island, s. c., where he was official
greeter Of recruits and lecturer on
THE 1ndoctrtnation of the Marine
Corps Spirit" He went to France as
an observer with the Second (Ma-
arines) division. His commander at
that time was Major General Lejeune
who later was to head the corps un-
der the direction Of the man who
served In France as captain Of ma
rines.
Cabinets Only Veteran
DENLY was the only world war vet
eran in the Harding cabinet. He was
serving q probation officer Tor the
Detroit Recorders courts when the
navy portfolio was offered him.
largely, # was said at the time, at
the suggestion Of John w. Weeks,
who became secretary Of war.
An odd parallel existed between the
careers Of Edwin DENLY and another
Detroiter, Truman n. Newbcrry. Both
were menbers Of the Michigan Naval
Reserve. and both saw service aboard
the y. 3. 8. Yosemite on which New
berry Was a officer. Later the gum
uer,S mate won the nomination for
Cougrea1 that the Officer had aollQht