James Kelsey Cogswell (September 27, 1847 – August 12, 1908) was an admiral in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

who served in

Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (clock ...

Early life

Cogswell was born in

Milwaukee Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is ...

, Wisconsin, on September 27, 1847, the son of George Cogswell and Celestia A. Stone.

Naval career

He graduated from the

Naval Academy A naval academy provides education for prospective naval officers. See also * Military academy A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps. It normally pro ...

in 1868. Cogswell was executive officer of the battleship during the Spanish–American War. He was aboard the ''Oregon'' during the historic dash around

Cape Horn Cape Horn ( es, Cabo de Hornos, ) is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island. Although not the most southerly point of South America (which are the Diego Ramírez ...

to join the North Atlantic Squadron in time to contribute to the destruction of the Spanish Fleet at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba in 1898. For eminent and conspicuous conduct in that decisive battle he was promoted to Commander. Rear Admiral Cogswell died at South

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida, the most populous city proper in the state and is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States as of 2020. It is the seat of Duval County, with which the ...

, on August 12, 1908.

Personal life

Cogswell's son Captain

Francis Cogswell Francis Cogswell (19 August 1887 – 22 September 1939) was a captain in the United States Navy who served in World War I and was a Navy Cross recipient. Early life Cogswell was born on 19 August 1887 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the son of Rear ...

was also a US Navy officer. Cogswell's sister Bianca Cogswell was married to Senator John L. Mitchell, the father of General Billy Mitchel John Lendrum Mitchel was the son of Alexander Mitchell. James Kelsey Cogswell also had a sister names Catherine Celeste Cogswell whom was born when James K Cogswell went to war. Catherine Celeste Cogswell became a star and performed in many high class stage shows. George Cogswell's obituary mentions her. George Cogswell passed away before James K. Cogswell made it out of war. James K Cogswell sent a letter to the newspaper to tell his parents he had made it out alive (it was published in the newspaper in the hometown he was from) his father died a few days prior before the letter was published to see he was okay. He never found out his son made it out alive. bituary of Catherine Celeste Cogswell Thorne bituary of George CogswellApr 20, 1887 Newspaper Wisconsin State Journal Newspaper Location Madison, Wisconsin bituary of Alexander Mitchell

USS Cogswell

The was a in the United States Navy, serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The ship is named in honour of Rear Admiral James Kelsey Cogswell, and his son, Captain

References

* 1847 births 1908 deaths United States Naval Academy alumni American military personnel of the Spanish–American War Military personnel from Milwaukee United States Navy rear admirals {{US-navy-bio-stub