Geary, John White (1819-1873)

Name:

Geary, John White (1819-1873)

Title:

First Mayor of San Francisco, 1850-51
Territorial Governor of Kansas, 1856-57
Governor of Pennsylvania, 1867-73
Wounded 10 times in military career.

Born:

12/30/1819

Birthplace:

Mount Pleasant, PA

Died:

02/08/1873

Death Location:

Harrisburg, PA

Residence:

San Francisco, CA
Kansas
Harrisburg, PA

Nationality:

American

Occupation:

Lawyer
Army officer
Politician

Father:

Richard Geary

Mother:

Margaret White

Spouse:

Margaret Ann Logan (b?, m1843, d1853)
Mary Church Henderson (b?, m1858, d?)

Children:

"several sons" by Margaret Logan, including son Edward (d10/1863)

Notes:

Studied civil engineering and law at Jefferson College, forced to leave before graduation due to death of his father.
Worked a variety of jobs, returned to college, graduated 1841.
Worked as a constructor for Allegheny Portage Railroad.
Active in state militia as teenager, enlisted in 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, served as Lt Colonel in Mexican War. Wounded five times leading the regt at the battle of Chapultepec. Promoted to Colonel after Belen Gate, returned home a war hero.
Appointed postmaster of San Francisco by President Polk, 01/22/1849, also served as alcalde and then first mayor of the city. Returned to PA in 1852 due to wife's failing health.
President Pierce appointed him governor of Kansas territory, 07/31/1856. Geary attempted to maintain balance and neutrality, but eventually joined the free-staters. Fired by President Buchanan 03/20/1857. Returned to his farm in PA and remarried.
Raised the 147th and 28th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiments at the start of the US Civil War. Served as Colonel of the 28th until wounded and captured near Leesburg, VA. Exchanged and returned to duty. Promoted to Brigadier General, commanded a brigade in the Shenandoah Valley, and wounded twice in the Battle of Cedar Mountain (08/09/1862). Returned to duty 10/15/1862, commanding a division in the XII Corps, Army of the Potomac. Division heavly engaged at Chancellorsville, knocked unconscious by a cannonball shot past his head. Present at Gettysburg. Son Edward died in his arms at Battle of Wauhatchie. Participated in General Sherman's campaigns from Atlanta through the Carolinas. Military Governor of Savanah briefly, brevetid to Major General.
Served two terms as Republican Governor of PA (1867-1873). Died less than three weeks after leaving office of a heart attack.