Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-02-08
EX-SECRETARY

CONTINUED from page one.)
words on regard and confidence,
turned on their heels and marched
out OF thc banquet hall.
Esteemed By Home Town
Whatever the nation may have
thought, Denby never lost the e.
teem and faith Of his townlpeople.
He had been out Of the cabinet only
a few months when he was chosen
chairman Of a 5000, 900 building
program Of the y. NJ. G. A. He resum-
ed his banking. industrial and legal
connections and was strongly urged
as a candidate fer the United States
senate.
Denby's service TO his country was
full and varied. IL rsn the gamnt
from "Eob" in the navy Snd Devil
Dog" in the Marine corps 10 head OF
the navy department. His career,
begun III his home state OF Indiana,
carried him % China, through the
univerSity of Michigan law school,
to fame rs a Wolverine football star,
70 the decks 81 the u. S. S. Yose-
mite during the Spanish-Amcrican
war, the Michigan legislature, 20 the
national house Of representatives, TO
important positions in Dctroit'S mo-
tor industry and 10 the cabinet.
DENLY was born In Evansville, Ind,
February IS, 1870, the son Of Chas.
and Martha Fitch DENLY. His father
for many years was United States
minister TO China.
Enlists In Navy
Young DENLY left the Evansville
high school In 1885 before gradual
ing TO accompany his father 10 the
Far East. There he remained nine
years, serving from 1887 to 1894
with the Chinese Imperial Maritime
customs service. This service was
the foundation for a knowledge az
the Far East that resulted In his
being regarded in later years as an
authority on that section 90 the
globe.
Entering the University Of Michi-
graduated In 1856 with n bachelor
Of law degree. His great physique
aided him in cstablishign a reputa-
tion as q football player.
DENLY was praeticing law IN De-
troit as u member Of the firm on
Chamberlain, DENLY, Webster and
Kennedy when the Sranish-Amcri-
man came. Re enlisted In the navy
and served aboard the U. s. s. Yose-
mite as q gunner's mate, third class,
from April 10 August. is9s.
The ship saw active service, con-
veying the u. s. S. Panther 70 Guam
tanamo Bay when that craft landed
the first American troops on Cuban
coil, under the guns Of the Yose.
mite.
When the ~ar ended, DENLY re-
Sumsd his law practice. going in
1908 % the state legislature and two
years later "a the national house AZ
representatives where he REPRESENT
81 the First Michigan district until
1911.
Become Marine Private
Detroitis industrial activity then
engaged his attention. lie was an
original stakeholder in the Hum
Motor company and later is treasur-
or. He next became an organizer az
the DENLY Motor Truck company.
lie retained his legal connections.
and found time also 70 act IS pres
ident Of the Detroit Chamber az
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 nen "
volunteer In the ranks.
A week after the American deciar-
etion az war Denhy hsd enlisted as q
private In the Marines.
Some must enlist In the ranks" Ne
said. "All cannot be officers.r
But he was not . private long. In
two months he vas \ corporal, q SER
geant shortly a~ftcrward. and ~ six
months = second lieutenant. At the
end Of the war he was discharged
with the rank az major.
Only War Veteran IN Cabinet
Much Of his war time was xpprt
A. the Marine recruit camp at Paris
Tslsnd. :. G.. where he was official
rreeter az recruits and lecturer ~
The In~doctination of the Marine