Military: CWR: Picking, Henry Forry of interest in Somerset County, PA

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Meyersdale Public Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Keith Petenbrink.

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Picking, Henry Forry 

* Born Jan. 28, 1840 in Jenner Twp. Somerset Co. Pa. 
* Died Sept. 8, 1899 in Boston, Massachusetts 
* Appointed to the Naval Academy in 1857 
* Graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1861 
* Served as Acting Master of the U. S. frigate "St. Lawrence" on the 
North Atlantic blockade squadron, 1861 - 62 
* Promoted to Lieutenant July 16, 1862 
* Took part in engagement with the privateer "Petrel" and was present 
at the engagement of the U. S. fleet with the Confederate ram Merrimac 
and the Sewell's Point batteries 
* He served shore duty at the U. S. Naval Academy and was assigned to 
the U. S. ironclad "Nahant" in 1864 
* He was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel July 25, 1866 and commanded 
the "Swatara" in European and West Indian waters, 1865 - 66; the 
flagship "Colorado" in the Asiatic squadron in 1872 
* He served ordnance duty at Washington and Newport 1873 - 75 
* Promoted Commander Jan. 25, 1875, and was a member of the lighthouse 
board 1875 - 88; serving as secretary 1881 - 82 
* He commanded the "U. S. S. Kearsarge" 1879 - 81 and the "U. S. S. 
Michigan" on the northwestern lakes 1887 - 1889 
* Promoted to Captain Aug. 4, 1889, was hydrographer of the U. S. Navy 
1889 - 90; was a member of the board of inspection and survey, and 
commanded the cruiser "Charleston" during the rebellion in Brazil; and 
the receiver ships "Minnesota" and "Wabash" 1890 - 98 
* Promoted to Commodore Nov. 25, 1898; Rear Admiral Mar. 3, 1899, and 
succeeded Admiral Howison as Commandant of the Charlestown Naval yard
 
SOURCE: 
* Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, 
Johnson Rossiter, editor 
* 1906 History Somerset Co. Pa.