John W. Geary

John W. Geary
Name	John W. Geary
Caption	John W. Geary
Order	16th
Office	Governor of Pennsylvania
Term start	January 15, 1867
Term end	January 21, 1873
Lieutenant	John Latta
Predecessor	Andrew Gregg Curtin
Successor	John F. Hartranft
Order2	1st & 4th
Office2	Mayor of San Francisco
Term start2	May 1, 1850
Term end2	May 4, 1851
Predecessor2	Office established
Successor2	Charles James Brenham
Term start3	November 10, 1852
Term end3	September 30, 1853
Predecessor3	Charles James Brenham
Successor3	C. K. Garrison
Birth date	December 30, 1819
Birth place	Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death date	February 8, 1873 (aged 53)
Death place	Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Party	Democratic (before 1865), Republican (from 1865)
Spouse	Margaret Ann Logan, 1843, 1853, Mary Church Henderson, 1858
Allegiance	United States, United States
Branch	United States Army
Serviceyears	1846–1848, 1861–1865
Rank	Major General
Commands	28th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, Geary's White Star Division, Department of the Susquehanna
Battles	Mexican–American War, American Civil War

John W. Geary was an American soldier, politician, and administrator whose career spanned the American frontier, the Mexican–American War, and the American Civil War. He served as the first and fourth Mayor of San Francisco during the tumultuous California Gold Rush era and later as the 16th Governor of Pennsylvania during Reconstruction. His military service was distinguished, rising to the rank of major general in the Union Army and commanding troops in critical battles in the Eastern Theater.

Early life and education

John White Geary was born on December 30, 1819, in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, to Richard Geary and Margaret White Geary. He attended local schools before pursuing studies in civil engineering and law at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Demonstrating an early aptitude for leadership and organization, he worked as a teacher and a surveyor in Kentucky before returning to Pennsylvania, where he became involved in local civic affairs and the Pennsylvania Militia.

Mexican–American War and early political career

At the outbreak of the Mexican–American War, Geary was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. He fought with distinction, particularly during the Battle of Chapultepec, where he was severely wounded. His service earned him a promotion to colonel and the position of military commandant of Mexico City following its capture. After the war, President James K. Polk appointed him the first postmaster of San Francisco, then part of the newly acquired California Territory, launching his political career on the West Coast.

Mayor of San Francisco

Geary served two non-consecutive terms as Mayor of San Francisco during the chaotic years of the California Gold Rush. His first term began in 1850, where he established the city's first formal government, police force, and public school system, grappling with issues of rampant crime and frequent fires. After a brief return to Pennsylvania, he was elected again in 1852, focusing on infrastructure and opposing the violent activities of the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance. His tenure was marked by efforts to impose order on the booming but lawless Barbary Coast.

Civil War service

At the start of the American Civil War, Geary was appointed colonel of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. He saw action in the Shenandoah Valley and at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. Promoted to brigadier general, he commanded a division in the XII Corps at the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of Gettysburg, where his troops defended Culp's Hill. He later fought under General William Tecumseh Sherman during the Atlanta Campaign and in the Battle of Peachtree Creek. He finished the war commanding the Department of the Susquehanna and was brevetted major general for his service.

Governor of Pennsylvania

Switching his allegiance from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, Geary was elected the 16th Governor of Pennsylvania in 1866. His administration, from 1867 to 1873, focused on paying down the state's massive war debt, supporting the Freedmen's Bureau, and endorsing the Reconstruction Acts. He also championed progressive causes, advocating for the expansion of public education and signing legislation to create the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania. His tenure was concurrent with the rise of the Pennsylvania oil rush and significant industrial growth.

Later life and death

After declining to seek a third term as governor, Geary planned to retire to his farm near Harrisburg. However, he suffered a massive heart attack and died suddenly in Harrisburg on February 8, 1873, just weeks after leaving office. He was interred in Harrisburg Cemetery. His legacy is remembered in numerous place names, including Geary, Oklahoma, Geary Street in San Francisco, and Geary County, Kansas.

Category:1819 births Category:1873 deaths Category:American military personnel of the Mexican–American War Category:Union Army generals Category:Mayors of San Francisco Category:Governors of Pennsylvania Category:American surveyors Category:People from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Category:Burials at Harrisburg Cemetery