The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-09

Child and Dead in an Instant
Alarm and Grief in His Family
and Mourning Of His Friends.
HARRISBURG, Feb. 9, 1sza
John White Geary. Ex-Governor of Pennsylvania
rcturne to his home at Harrisburg from New Youk
last nlght, apparently in good health. This morn
ing when ut breakfast. and while in the act OF hep
ing one OF his children 10 something ON the table.
his head suddenly fell back.
Mrs. Geary jumped up and passed around to the
Ex-Governor, but he was dead when she got 10 In
chair.
Heart disease Is just now supposed to have knled
him.
The fact Of the exCovcrnor's death having been
made pubic the citizens OF Harrisburg Philadcl-
pnia and all over the State of Pennsylvania are
greatly excited, and much sorrow is expressed GA
all Sides
sketch or Ex-Governor Gcary.
John W. Geary was born IN Westmoreland county.
Pennsylvania, in the year 1920 lie lost his iather
while yet young. and thus became the early stay q
his mother whom he supported by teaching
school He was educated at jefferson College, at
Cdnonsburg. He served through the Mexican war
with great distinction. having served as lieutea-
ant colonel oil the second pennsylvania regiment.
La Hoya, Uhapuitepec. Garita de Been aud Cityst
Mexico. On the breaking out OF that struggle
ne ut once took charge of a company. He was soon
promoted to cOlonelcy. ana his regiment was ono
o. the three volunteer regiments selected by Gen
cral scott to aid the regulars ut tue siege OF tAo
Mexican capital On the return OF the regiment
Colonel Geary and his command were publicly non-
Ored by an immense c0ncOurse OF people at Pitts
burg the eminent William Wilkins being the
orator. Under Folks administration he was ap-
pointed General Postal Agent Tor the WesterH
coasts, with plenary power to perform all the
functions OF the Postmaster General. From
this position he was relieved by the advent
OF General Taylor to the Presidency, and
was Immediately and unanimously elected First
Alcalie and Judge OF San Francisco and after tho
city got a charter he was CHOSEN its first Mayor.
The institutions Of that state received their first
impulse from the administration OF General Geary.
He returned to his native State In 1850 and lived
quietly on his farm in WestmOreand county TIL
1856, when he was appointed by President Pierce
Governor Of Kansas. His history there in cOnneo-
ton With the disturbed condition OF the state u
still remembered, Tor General Gearys pubic lila
may be said to begin with his Kansas career.
Finding he would not be supported IN his policy
in that state by the incoming administration
OF buchanan, he returned again to private
life, but not till he had warned the President that
a rebellion would surely spring out OF the troubles
In Kansas il proper steps were not taken to pre-
On the breaking out OF the rebellion Governor
Geary raised and equipped the Twenty elghtA
Pennsylvania Volunteers and took the field as theaE
colonel. He was shortly Afterwards appointed
In all the great battles during the Peninsular and
Virginia campaigns till after the battle Of
cerps wers @ nto the rwenteth, and
he joined the Western forces, under Hooker Win
his famous "White starr DIVISION. lie arrived In
tine Southwest in time for the glorious battle Of
Lookout Mountain, where he greatly distinguished
himself by heading his division and leading Il
oil the hill. 1t was General Gearys evil fortune .
lose all his old STAFF officers In action among them
ms Captain Gea Try TN as
his father dashed BY. casped IN one agonlz,ng
embrace the nleess form OF his son-it was but
again to his duty. and once more attacked
the enemy's line, bursting through II ana
his division was the first to plant the nag over the
Court House, and 1t was ready to assault the city
OF savannah when the Mayor and Council SUI,
be said to end with the capture OF Savannah. N
December, 1854, as will be seen from ms fare
their battles as fouows:-Rich Mountain, Carr,cks
Ford, winchester, Port Republic, Bolivar. Cedar
Mountain Second Bu! K%n
Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringsod, MIL creek
Gap, Resacs, New Hope church, Pine nil, Muddy naa
Greek Moves Sress and nS Savannah A''
Among Z the few sketches Of General Geary none
more fitly describes him :han the following, from
the pen Of q member OF General RHeCman's sian,
written just as the war was closing!-@
s1
black beard and an open and inviting lace Ne has
sensible Siscrsst and am prssssy u:
nature Of his duties ard executes them noiscey bu!
sy Re tor city aa
ss1ssi
"A Z ha unod u.iO INF nj fha Gen
In 1866 General Geary was nominated for Cover
nor OF his native State by the Republican C0nven-
ton at Harrisburg, and ne was elected by large
mated and reelected, and his second term had ex-
pired only few weeks before his death. Though
successful in both his military and political aspra-
tons Tar beyond the common lot OF men, Governor
Geary's ambition was not yet satisfied, and lookee
dency. His popularity suffered q decline during
his last term as Governor OF Pennsyivanla and
his as an honest :, public
view Of the wounds he received IN action
and the many great services he rendered to his
for they embrace large part OF the history OF tho
country. 1t may be noted, however, that ne was
Mountain. and distinguished himself ct ChanceL
louisville by holding in check thrice his number o.
the enemy: Here too, he received contasion
covered In the battle OF Gettysburg, 1t will be re-
membered he with his gallant division deended
81 9e ns poH
whole corps Numbering some twenty thousand OF
the nower OF the rebel army known as the ''Stone-
wall Brigade During their DreI c0nnectiOn OF Ole
month with the Army OF the tennessee INC weitn
corps had two conflicts with overwhelming forces
OF the enemy under Longstreet, in both OF which
/. came OF victorious. These things show how DIFF
fcuIt IL is to relate the history OF SINGLE leader
in war like great rebellion without telling tho
m dsoree mt least II will always be found impOs
sibje 10 relate the story OF the civil war without
telling of General Geary's share In 1t.
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TIE THIRTEENTH STREET WIFE-SH00TIN0