John W. Geary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John W. Geary
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Geary in the Civil War
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| 16th Governor of Pennsylvania | |
| In office January 15, 1867 – January 21, 1873 |
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| Preceded by | Andrew Gregg Curtin |
| Succeeded by | John F. Hartranft |
| 1st Mayor of San Francisco | |
| In office May 1, 1850 – May 4, 1851 |
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| Preceded by | Himself as Alcalde |
| Succeeded by | Charles James Brenham |
| Alcalde of San Francisco | |
| In office August 1, 1849 – May 1, 1850 |
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| Succeeded by | Himself as Mayor |
| 3rd Territorial Governor of Kansas | |
| In office September 9, 1856 – March 20, 1857 |
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| Preceded by | Wilson Shannon |
| Succeeded by | Robert J. Walker |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John White Geary
December 30, 1819 Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania |
| Died | February 8, 1873 (aged 53) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic (until 1866) |
| Spouses | Margaret Ann Logan (widowed); Mary Church Henderson |
| Profession | Teacher, Clerk, Land Speculator, Engineer, Soldier |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848, 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
John White Geary (born December 30, 1819 – died February 8, 1873) was an important American leader. He was a lawyer, a politician, and a Union general during the American Civil War. Geary was the last alcalde (a type of mayor-judge) and the first mayor of San Francisco. He also served as a governor for the Kansas Territory and later as the 16th governor of Pennsylvania.
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Early Life and Education
John Geary was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, near Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. His father, Richard Geary, worked with iron and was also a schoolteacher. His mother was Margaret White.
When he was 14, John went to Jefferson College. He studied engineering and law. Sadly, he had to leave college early when his father passed away. John took on his father's debts.
He worked hard at different jobs, like surveying land in Kentucky. He saved enough money to go back to college and finished his degree in 1841. After college, he worked as an engineer for the Allegheny Portage Railroad.
In 1843, John married Margaret Ann Logan. They had several sons together. Margaret passed away in 1853. Later, in 1858, Geary married Mary Church Henderson, who was a widow.
Military Service in Mexico
John Geary was involved in the state militia from a young age. In December 1846, he joined the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry as a lieutenant colonel during the Mexican–American War. He showed great bravery leading his soldiers at the Battle of Chapultepec. He was wounded five times in that battle.
Geary was a very tall and strong man, standing six feet six inches tall and weighing 260 pounds. This made him an easy target for enemy fire. Throughout his military career, he was wounded at least ten times. His actions at the Belén Gate made him a colonel, and he returned home as a war hero.
A Leader in California
After the war, Geary moved west. On January 22, 1849, President James K. Polk made him the postmaster of San Francisco. On January 8, 1850, he was elected as the city's alcalde. An alcalde was like a mayor and a judge before California became a state.
Soon after, he became the very first mayor of San Francisco. He was the youngest mayor in the city's history. Geary returned to Pennsylvania in 1852 because his wife was very ill. After she died, President Franklin Pierce offered him the job of governor of the Utah Territory, but Geary said no.
Governor of Kansas Territory
On July 31, 1856, John Geary accepted President Pierce's offer to become the governor of the Kansas Territory. This was a very difficult time for Kansas, known as "Bleeding Kansas." People were fighting over whether the territory should allow slavery or be a free state.
Geary arrived in Kansas on September 9, 1856. He was the youngest territorial governor of Kansas. He hoped his experience would bring peace. He told people, "I desire to know no party... nothing but Kansas and my country."
He tried to stop the violence by creating a new state militia and using federal troops. He also traveled around the territory to hear what people thought. Geary tried to be fair, but he faced challenges from both sides. He stopped a large group of pro-slavery fighters from attacking Lawrence. He also disagreed with the pro-slavery legislature on some laws.
Geary eventually became friends with some of the Free-staters (people who wanted Kansas to be a free state). He even worked with them on a plan for Kansas to join the Union as a free state.
However, Geary began to worry about his own safety. He resigned as governor on March 12, 1857. He left Kansas quietly on March 21. Even though he didn't completely stop the fighting, his time as governor did make the territory a bit more peaceful than before.
Fighting in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Geary helped raise two regiments of soldiers from Pennsylvania. He became a colonel. He was wounded and captured in March 1862, but was quickly exchanged and went back to duty.
On April 25, 1862, he was promoted to Brigadier General. He led a brigade in the Shenandoah Valley against Confederate General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. He was seriously wounded again in the arm and leg at the Battle of Cedar Mountain in August 1862.
Geary's division fought hard at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. He was knocked unconscious when a cannonball flew past his head.
Gettysburg and Western Campaigns
At the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, Geary's troops arrived on the second day of fighting. They defended Culp's Hill, an important part of the Union line. During the battle, Geary's division was ordered to move, but he accidentally marched his troops in the wrong direction. This was an embarrassing mistake, but it didn't cause major problems because the fighting he was supposed to join had ended.
Later, Geary's corps was sent west to help the Union army at Chattanooga. His son, Edward, died in his arms during the Battle of Wauhatchie. This made Geary even more determined to win the battle, which his outnumbered division did. He also played a key role in the Battle of Lookout Mountain and during Sherman's March to the Sea.
He oversaw the surrender of Savannah, Georgia, and briefly served as its military governor. He was promoted to brevet major general for his service.
Governor of Pennsylvania
After the Civil War, John Geary served two terms as the Republican governor of Pennsylvania, from 1867 to 1873. He was known for being an independent leader. He worked to reduce the power of railroads in politics and vetoed many bills that favored special interests.
On February 8, 1873, just a few weeks after leaving office, Geary had a heart attack. He was preparing breakfast for his young son in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was 53 years old. He was buried with state honors in Mount Kalmia Cemetery in Harrisburg.
Legacy
Many places are named in honor of John W. Geary. Geary County, Kansas, was named after him in 1889. Geary Boulevard in San Francisco is a major street. There's also Geary Avenue at Gettysburg and Geary Street in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania and Harrisburg. Geary Hall, a dorm at Pennsylvania State University, is also named for him. A monument to Geary stands in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania.
See also
In Spanish: John White Geary para niños
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
