Edward Stanley Kellogg

Edward Stanley Kellogg (August 20, 1870 – January 8, 1948) was a United States Navy Captain who served as the 16th Governor of American Samoa. Kellogg graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1892, and joined the Naval Engineer Corps. He served as an assistant engineer on numerous ships, and participated in the Spanish–American War. He retired in 1920, and became governor three years later, making him only one of two Naval Governors of American Samoa to hold the office following retirement from the service. As Governor, Kellogg asserted the authority of the United States over the tribal chiefs of the islands. He removed the title of Tu'i Manu'a from Chris Young, claiming it implied king-like authority over the people of American Samoa. He also removed Chief Tui Manu'a from power, resulting in widespread protest among the islands' people. Kellogg died at the National Naval Medical Center in Maryland and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Life

Kellogg was born on August 20, 1870 in Morrisania, Bronx. He died on January 8, 1948 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on January 12, 1948.

Naval career

Kellogg was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from New York on May 18, 1888, graduating on June 3, 1892. In 1894, he became an assistant engineer in the Naval Engineer Corps. He served on the USS San Francisco (C-5) before being transferred to the USS Yorktown (PG-1) on April 26, 1895. As a Lieutenant, he served on the USS Hartford. During the Spanish–American War, Kellogg was the assistant engineer aboard the USS Hist. In 1920, he retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain.

Governorship

Kellogg took the office of Governor of American Samoa on September 4, 1923 and served until March 17, 1925. As governor, he prohibited certain native death ceremonies, imposing a small fine and imprisonment on those who continued to practice the customs. Along with John Martin Poyer, Kellogg is one of only two Naval Governors of American Samoa who served in the office following retirement from the Navy. He came into some dispute with Chris Young, a man elected as Tu'i Manu'a, or king, of American Samoa by several chiefs. Kellogg argued that the idea was incompatible with the Constitution of the United States and denied Young the title. Kellogg also dealt with the removal of Chief Tui Manu'a and his placement under house arrest, after other Samoan chiefs called him a "disturbing influence". Inaccurate rumors were spread that Kellogg had banished him from the islands, causing widespread protest and declarations that he was ruling as a despot.