His parents were natives of Ispringen, Baden, Germany. They came to America in 1828 and settled in Ohio. He was a strong boy physically; and an early taste for command was his predominant characteristic. He attended the public schools of his country home for seven years, and had one summer's tuition in a private school. He was graduated from the naval academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1858, and was appointed midshipman, June 11, 1858. He was promoted passed midshipman, master, and lieutenant in rapid succession; and it was while he held the last mentioned rank that he was taken prisoner by the Confederates as already described. His imprisonment lasted from June to October, 1861. In April, 1862, at the capture of New Orleans, his heroic act of raising the United States colors has been mentioned. He was at that time in service on the Hartford; and in June and July of the same year he participated in the engagements of the Hartford with the Vicksburg batteries. His promotions came in due order, that of lieutenant-commander on May 31, 1865; commander, 1872; captain, 1885; commodore, 1897; rear-admiral, October, 1898. During these years he served on the Winooski, Pensacola and New Hampshire, and he commanded the Monocacy at the Chinese Station from 1873 to 1875. He also commanded the Michigan on the great lakes; the Pensacola, and the receiving ship, Wabash. He was president of the naval examining and retiring board, 1897; commander of the Newport, Rhode Island, station, 1898; commander of the Pacific station on the flag-ship Philadelphia from October 15, 1898. While rear-admiral he represented our government in the pacification of the Samoan Islands to the entrie satisfaction of all concerned. From 1900-01 he was commander-in-chief of the Pacific station. On January 29, 1901, he was retired by operation of law.
His recreation he finds in golf. His own personal preference led him to the choice of the navy as the line of life which would best suit him, and his achievements have justified the wisdom of his decision.
He was married to Esther Hemphill, September 27, 1865. They had one child living in 1905.
