Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-03-24
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH,
GENERAL. JOHN w. GEARY.

John w. Geary was born in Westmorc.
land county, Pa, and although now only
forty-six years of age, has already won
lasting fame by his adherence TO the cause
of right and duty, IN the different parts OF
the country in which he has been placed,
in civil, military, judicial and executive posi-.
tions.
Having lost his father vcry carly in life
he was thrown upon his own resources, and
not only supported himself, but became the
only stay Of his widowed mother, by teach
ing village school; during which time he
also, by perscvering industry and commen-
dable economy, acquired means to procure
n classical education, which he completed
at Jefferson College, Canonsburg. Pa,
creating lifelong friends among professors
and classmates, by the early exhibition of
those same sterling qualities that have since
endcared him to SO many others in sociai
and in public life.
Having finished his collegiate education
he assumed the profession of u civil engI-
neor, In the practice oil which he went to
Kentucky, partly in the employ of the
Commonwealth, and partly in that of the
Green River Railroad Company; and was
engaged n the survcT of several very i'm.
portrait branches of the public improve.
with the Engineer Corps, in many of the
States, he successfully filed al the various
offices from clerkship to the superinten-
dency of the Allegheny Portage railroad,
and during several years discharged the
duties of bis responsible positions with
complete satisfaction
Alta very carly date, actuated by his
mathematical abilities, he exhibited fond.
ness for military tactics. and labored siren
uously by the ontlay Of time and means to
perfect our volunteer systcm. From pri-
vate in the ranks, he rose rapidly through
all the grades to that of BIigaG:eI General,
to which he was elected by the brigade
comprising Cambria and Somerset coun-
ties
When the war with Mexico was declared,
he was among the first who responded to
.hc call for volunteers, and was accepted,
along with the "Amcrican Highanders," =" OF
Cambria county, which splendid compa-
ny he then commanded. They were incor-
porated in the Second Pennsylvania Regi-
ment, of which, upon its organization, he
was almost unanimously elected Lieuten-
ant Colonel.
His regiment joined the army of General
Scott at Vera Cruz, and served in the ad-
vance under the command and on the line
of operations, of that great chieftain through
his brilliant campaign in Mexico. Geary
was attached to Gen. Qutman's division,
and distinguished himself in the battles of
LA lloya," "Chapultcpec," "Garita de Be-
len," and the City of Mexico" Upon
arriving at the capital, his colonel having
died, he was elected colonel by vote Of
more than two-thirds of the command
This compliment was not the result of mere
friendship or political preference. 1t was
the reward for his own good conduct from
the HANDS of the gallant soldiers-the spon-
taneous and grateful gift of associates in
arms-tbe brave men who had fought by
his side, shared his privations, suiierngs and
dangers, and who witnessed and knew best
how to. .appreciatehis merits.
The war having closed, Col. Geary re-
turned with the remnant Of his command to
his native State, and the people of Pitts
burgh will long remember the enthusiastic
welcome he reGeiyed upon his arrival among
them. Hon. William Wilkins, in public
speech, complimented the services OF the
gallant, weather beaten aud war-worn troops,
and the excitement of the universal jubilee
ran to the highest pitch.
On the 22d of February, 1910, in return
for his services in Mexico, President Polk
appointed Col. Geary postmaster at San
Francisco, which, in consequence of the then
recent discovery of gold in California, had
become port of considerable Importance
He was alec empowered to create post offices,
appoint postmasters, establish mail routes,
and make contracts for carrying the mails
throughout California. He was thus placed
in the way of bis subsequent aud almost
unparalleled success and popularity among
the heterogeneous population of the Eureka
State.
On the 1st of August, islo, the municipal
election Of San Francisco took place, and
s.though ten different tickets were framed