The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-10-23

resenting r1e state.
John +. Hartanf was born in New Han
over township, Montgomery county, Decem-
Der I6. 1880, of Pennsylvania Dutch parent
ace. He was literally educated. aud soon
after he LEFT college he was considered one of
the most promising Of the younger civil en-
gineers in the county.
When the war Of the rebellion broke out
Mr.. Hartraaft was one Of the first to yoluD-
teer. He recruited the ffiy-first Pennsylva-
mia Regiment and went TO the front as is
colonel. His firtnote worthy achievement
was at Roanoke Island, where the enemy
was entrenched. Hartranff led his men
through swamp and attacked the rebels in
the rear. completely routing them and cap
turing the entire force, An advance on
Newburn was then begun, and after long
struggle the town was captured.
Shortly afferward he was offered the Re
publican nomination for surveyor general
Of Pennsylvania. but declined il on the
ground that his services were needed on the
field In many trying positions-ai the sec
ond Bull Run fight. at Chantilly, at the
Southern Pass, near Jenner's Bay, and al
Antietam-Colonel Hartranit proved his
courage and the gallantry Of his men. 1t
was after the charge at Spottsylvania Court
House that he was commissioned Brigadier
General. In December, 1864, he was assign
ed TO the command Of a division of new
troops, and his first engagement affer this
was at Fort Steadman. where he was given
the rank of brevet msjor general, and he
was everywhere hailed as the hero Of Fort
Sieadman. In the campaign at Nicksburg
he led a brigade and storrned position
which for year had resisted the efforts Of
the Union army.
Afier the assassination of President Lin
coin the secretary of war appointed Hart
ranft TO take charge Of The prisoners accused
of the crime. At the recommendation Of
General Grant be was one of limited num-
Der OF volunteer generals who were Offered
colonelcies in the regular army. This was re-
garded as mark Of special distinction, but
General Hartranft declined the offer to re.
turn 10 private life.
When he entered the army be had been a
deputy sheriff On his return home he was
elected auditor general Of the state, and
this Office he administered from May /, 1866.
till December, 1872, having been appointed
to serve out the term Of David Stanton, his
successor, who died soon after entering upon
the encumbency. So signal was his ability
In the discharge of his duties that he was
twice chosen Governor, serving in that Office
from January 81, 1878, till January 10, 1879,
During bissecond term the Pittsburgh rail-
road riots broke out. Governor Hartranft
at once hastened to the scene of trouble,
took command OF the state militia anda de
tachment of the United States army which
had been assembled in pursuance Of his
orders by telegraph, and by discreet methods
soon put a stop TO the riot and incendiarism.
During the Arthur administration he was
appointed surveyor of the port Of Philadel-
phia, which he held for four years. In the
Republican National Convention of 1876,
held in Cincinnati. he was the favorite of a
majority Of the Pennsylvania delegates for
president. and had the Pennsylvania dele
gates obeyed the instructions of their state
and continued TO vote as unit. be would
have been the nominee for president instead
OF Mr.. Hayes.
For years he had been at the head Of the
National Guard Of Pennsylvania, and TO his
ability and talents as an organizer is mainly
due the state of efficiency to which that
body has attained.
Shortly after the resignation Of Pension
Commissioner Tanner, General Hartranft
was spoken of for the Office, and he would
likely have received the appointment had
he not declined TO consider the matter. He
was highly esteemed by President Harrison,
who, in the first months of his term. ap-
pointed General Hartranfl a member Of one
Of the commissions to secure the cessions of
Indian lands.