The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1873-02-13
OBITUARY.
Ex-Gov. Geary.


He was born Dec. 80, 1919, in West
moreland county, Penn and after spend
ing some ears in commercial pursuits, he
became a civil engineer and surveyed rail
rod lines IN Kentucky. On the out
break of the Mexican War he promptly
responded to the call for volunteers, and
organized a company, which he named
the American Ilighlanders, afterward in
corporated in the I'd Pennsylvania Regi
ment, of which Geary was made Lieuten
ant. Colonel. He joined, with this regl
ment, the army OF Gen. Scott at Vera
Cruz, aud served with marked distinction
in the advance upon and capture OF the
Mexican capital. President Polk re
cognized his services by appointing him
Postmaster of San Francisco aud Mail
Agent for the Pacific coast Col. Geary
arrived in California in April, 1919. and
during the three years which he spent 10
the young State, he held successfully
several important judicial and municipal
Offices. including the Mayoralty of San
Francisco. He took an active part in es
tablishing order and promoting the pros
perity of the Golden State, displaying
considerable executive ability. After
spending three years at farming IN his
native county, he was appointed, in 1856.
Governor of the Territory Of Kansas, then
disturbed by the free soil and pro slavery
conflicts. He held this position about
six months, when he rendered his %resigna
ton to President Buchanan, who had just
come in'o power. Gov. Geary returned
to his Peunsylyan:a iarm. and was residing
there when the war for the Union began
He promptly rendered his service, and re
ccived the commission of Colonel OF the
2Sth Regiment of Pennsylvania Voluu
teers, which he had organized within a
month. Henceiorth he was one of the
most active and prominent soldiers of the
war. He was in command In several
minor engagements in the Shenandoah
Valley in the fall of 1861. In April,
1862, he received the commission of Bri
gadier, and, with his brigade, the second
Of the First Division Of Gen. Banks
Corps, served in the Cedar Mountain cam
paign. He was severely wounded at the
battle Of Cedar Mountain, and was dis
abled for active service until December,
when he was again in the field, and cap
tured Winchester from the Confederates
In 1868 he was promoted to a Major-Gen
eralship and placed in command of the
Second Division Of the Twelfth Army
Corps. In this capacity he served in the
great battles of Fredericksburg, ChaDcel
louisville, aud Gettysburg, and in 1861
was ordered to Tennessee to join Gen
Sherman. Assuming command of the
Second Division of the Twentieth
Corps, he Joined in the "march t,
the sea-" participating prominently il
several Of the principal engagements
Addressing his troops. in 1864, at Savan
nah, of which he had been appointed Mil
5 itary Governor, he enumerated their bat
ties as follows Rich Mountain, Carrick'i
Ford, Winchester, Port Republic, Bolivar
=, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, An
,ietam, Charlottesville Gettysburg, Wau
hatchie, Lookout Mountain, Missionary
Ride, R~inggold, Mill Greek, Gap, Resa
ca, New Hope Church, Pine Hill, Mud
DIV Creek, Moves Greek, kolb's Farm
KeDseaw, Peach Tree Greek, Atlanta, anc
' Savannah. Following the fortunes o
Sherman, he served in the Carolina cam
paigus, and witnessed the surrender o
johnson, his military career terminating
; only with the close Of the war.
In March, 1866, the Republican State
Convention Of Pennsylvania nominated
him for Governor, and after an animated
contest with Hester Clymer, the Demo
cratic nominee, he was elected by a ma
jority ofl7, ITS. He was re elected three
years later by a reduced majority owe,
Asa Packer, and retired from his ofic;a
duties as recently as the 10Th ult., wher
Gen. Hartranfs came into Office. Gov
Geary's popularity had waned very much
during his second term, although he still
numbered many ardent adherents.