Washington sentinel., 1856-08-02
From the Pennsylvania.

sas in the place of Shannon, removed. This
appointment is a most excellent one, and viii
give general satisfaction throughout the coun
try, particularly in Pennsylvania, where Col
Geary is well known and highly esteemed b.
troops Of friends. He is highminded, homo
rable man, and who will bring to his new du
ties desire to secure equal and exact justice
to all the citizens of the new territory, to pro
mote order and tranquility, to perform eff
ciently and fairly all the trusts committed to
his charge. He possesses administrative ability
of the highest order, and has been admirably
trained for his new duties by his extended ex
perience as Colonel in the Mexican war, as
Alcalde, and subsequently first Mayor Of San
Francisco, and in other capacities.
A correspondent sends US the following in,
teresting sketch of Col. Geary's life:
Col. JOHN W. GEARY.
Messrs Editors:-I see by this morning
telegraphic despatch that Col. J. w. Geary has
been appointed to succeed Gov. Shannon in
the Governorship Of Kansas.
A slight sketch of his life from one who has
known him intimately for the last twenty years
may not be uninteresting or amiss at this time.
He was born in Salem, Westmoreland coun.
ty, Pennsylvania, and passed the first twenty
years of his life there beneath his parents
roof assisting his father, like dutiful son, to
provide for the wants of the family.
He received nothing more than common
fitted himself for the duties of a teacher, which
profession he followed for several winters in
his native county, generously devoting his
whole earnings to the support of his aged pa
rents.
He never was a civil engineer, as the de-
spatch states. He has always been staunch
Democrat and under former administration
held an office on the Portage Railroad on the
Allegheny Mountains.
This Office he held when the war with Mexi.
co broke out. He was captain of fine mill
tary company on the Summit" and when the
call was made for a second regiment of volun-
teers from Pennsylvania he and his company
Immediately offered their services, which we're
instantly accepted. The rendezvous of the
regiment was at Pittsburg, where Geary imme-
diately repaired with his men. Here an cleo
tion was held for officers, and he was elected
Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment Here
appears to have been the commencement of
his good fortune, which has never yet deserted
him.
neglected to mention, that year or two
before, be married beautiful and amiable lady
of his native town: but leaving her and sacri-
6cing friends, and the comforts of home, he
nobly left his native land to fight the battles of
his country.
He landed at Vera Cruz r.d was engaged
in its bombardment. He was detained in this
vicinity for some time with the regiment, many
of whom were i'll and dying in the hospital
among these he moved selfsacri6cingly-
minis,ering to their wants, and cheering the
poor fellows with words of comfort. He after
wards rejoined General Scott, and participated
in several Of the brilliant victories which crown
ed our arms. In one battle he was severely
wounded by q grape shot. Envious spirits,
however, could not hold their sanderous
tongues, and base reports were sent home and
circulated regarding his conduct, but coming
to his ears were triumphantly disproved, and
their author-an officer of his own regiment
cashiered and sent home in disgrace.
Upon the death Of Colonel Roberts, Lieut..
Colonel Geary was elected to fill the vacancy,
and continued at the head Of the regiment
through the war, and until he landed them
safely in Pittsburg, and saw them 1isbanded.
He then returned to his family in Westmore-
land, but in few months President Polk, in
reward for his services, appointed him Post
master of San Francisco. He instantly pre-
pared to go out, and taking his family with
him, sailed from New York in l849.
Upon arriving there he found everything in
almost inextrcable confusion-no system or
arrangement about the Post Office, which was
kept in cdnvdss house of small dimensions,
- ol bo forna1 u,th his % ~, tola
up his residence. By superhuman exertions,
however, he soon brought matters to rights,
and systematized the whole department, to
the great convenience Of the citizens of San
Francisco. A new administration coming into
power he was displaced, and bis successor ap-
pointed. He was almost Immediately appointed
Alcalde Of the city by General Riley, and con.
tinued to perform the laborious duties Of his
office-which was those Of judge, jury, coun-
sci, prosecuting attorney, and arbitrator, all
combined in one--to the great satisfaction of
all who had dealings with him-(and / much
question whether justice has ever since been
equally meted to all, in that rowdyinfected
city)-until the admission of California into
the Union, when the citizens appreciating the
merit Of the Alcalde, elected him their mayor
certainly higher honor, and one to be
proud of-6rst mayor of one of the first cities
of the world
At the end of his term he refused re-elec-
tion, but proceeded to arrange bis affairs for
the purpose Of returning home, where the de-
clining health of his beloved wife, who had
returned before him, created fearful anti
cipations. He returned full Of honor and
glory and wealth, having amassed an immense
fortune during his residence there, but she
survived bis arrival but q few months.
He purchased fine farm in one Of the most
beautiful portions of Westmoreland county,
where he has continued to make his home
though engaged in some of the most exten-
sive railroad operations in the country, until
now, he is again called into public life to FIJI
one Of the most important positions in the
Union. He is a selfmade mantle man for
the times, and will do credit to his party aud
his State, j, r. p,