Geary, John White, 1819-1873

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John W. Geary was a lawyer, politician and Union general in the Civil War (1861-1865). He was born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania on 30 December 1819. After serving as a colonel in the U.S. Army during the Mexican War (1846-1848), Geary went to California for the 1849 gold rush. While in California, Geary became the first governor of San Francisco from 1850 to 1851 and was later governor of the Kansas Territory from 1856-1857. Following his term as governor, Geary returned to Pennsylvania and with the onset of the Civil War he joined the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry as a colonel. He was later promoted to brigadier general and saw action in many of the major battles of the war. Geary later was assigned to the Twelfth Army Corps as a division commander and went on to distinguish himself in command during the Battle of Lookout Mountain in Tennessee, the entire Atlanta Campaign, Sherman's March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign. He also oversaw the surrender of Savannah, Georgia in December 1864 and briefly served as the city's military governor. Following the end of the Civil War, Geary returned to Pennsylvania and served as its governor from 1867 to 1873. He died of a heart attack three weeks after the end of his term as governor on 8 February 1873 in Harrisburg.

From the description of John W. Geary letters, 1858-1865. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 309281955

John White Geary (1819-1873), soldier and politician, served as Territorial Governor of Kansas 1856-57. During the Mexican war Geary was Captain of the American Highlanders, which was attached to the "Cambria Legion." The Highlanders joined the 2d Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers and served under Gen. Scott in the campaign against Mexico City.

From the description of John White Geary Mexican War papers, 1846-1848. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122567649

From the description of John White Geary Mexican War papers, 1846-1848. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702128624

John White Geary was both soldier and politician; he served in the Mexican War and was later Territorial Governor of Kansas and Governor of Pennsylvania. At the outbreak of the Mexican War, Geary was Captain of the American Highlanders, which were attached to the "Cambria Legion." He and his company joined the 2nd Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers at Pittsburgh, where he was elected Lieutenant Colonel. The regiment arrived at Vera Cruz April 11, 1847, via New Orleans and the Lobos Islands, and participated in Scott's advance to Mexico City. Colonel Roberts, the commander of the Regiment, was in such bad health that his responsibilities were left primarily to Geary. In the attack on Chapultepec Geary led the assault upon the fortress, and was placed in charge of this fortress upon its capture. Geary remained there on duty until the end of the war, being elected Colonel of his regiment on the death of Roberts.

From the guide to the John White Geary Mexican War papers, 1846-1848, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)

John White Geary was born December 30, 1819 near Mount Pleasant, PA, the son of Richard and Margaret White Geary. In 1843 he married Margaret Ann Logan. The Gearys had a son, Edward R. Geary, and a daughter. Margaret Logan Geary died in 1853. In 1858 John Geary married Mrs. Mary Church Henderson. When the Civil War began Geary immediately set up a recruiting office and in a few days was made colonel of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry. His Civil War experience included Harper's Ferry, Chancellorville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea.

From the description of Letters, 1858-1865. (Atlanta History Center). WorldCat record id: 30611961

John White Geary (1819-1873) served in the Mexican War in the 2d Pennsylvania Infantry, became postmaster at San Francisco in 1849, and held several other public posts in San Francisco. He returned to Pennsylvania in 1852, became governor of Kansas Territory in 1856, but resigned in 1857 and went back to Pennsylvania. Geary served with the 28th Pennsylvania Regiment in the Civil War and was twice elected governor of the state, 1867-73.

From the description of John White Geary papers, 1855-1871. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702127584

John White Geary (1819-1873) served in the Mexican War in the 2d Pennsylvania Infantry, became postmaster at San Francisco in 1849, and held several other public posts in San Francisco. He returned to Pennsylvania in 1852, became governor of Kansas Territory in 1856, but resigned in 1857 and went back to Pennsylvania. Geary served with the 28th Pennsylvania Regiment in the Civil War and was twice elected governor of the state, 1867-1873.

From the guide to the John White Geary business papers, 1834-1873, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)

American political leader.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Harrisburg, Pa., to E.R. Hoar, 1869 Mar. 26. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269570315

From the description of Letter signed : Harrisburg, to President Grant, 1869 Oct. 30. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269597329

From the description of Signature : [n.p., n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269599452

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn [Major General John White Geary of 28th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment and General Staff U.S. Volunteers Infantry Regiment in Civil War battle pin] [graphic]. Library of Congress
referencedIn Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Commandery of the State of Massachusetts Civil War collection, 1724-1933 (inclusive); 1861-1912 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Pardee-Robison family. The Pardee-Robison family papers, 1861-1864. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
referencedIn San Francisco (Calif.). Town Council. Letters and documents, 1850. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Pennsylvania Governors correspondence, 1778-1904. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
referencedIn San Francisco (Calif.). District. Blotter B: District record of land grants and deeds in the city of San Francisco, 1847-1849. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Billings, Frederick, 1823-1890. Frederick Billings letters to John White Geary, 1872 Apr-May. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Richardson, William P., d. 1857. Letter: to Nathaniel Pascall /by General Richardson, copied by John W. Forman, 1857 Feb 14. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896. American Political Ephemera, 1835-1884 (inclusive). Porterville Public Library
referencedIn Geary family. Geary family papers, 1846-1913, bulk 1846-1873. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
referencedIn Armor, William Crawford. William Crawford Armor diary, 1864. Emory University. Special Collections and Archives
referencedIn Billings, Frederick, 1823-1890. Frederick Billings letters to John White Geary, 1872 Apr-May. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Barclay, Thomas J. 1825-1881. Thomas J. Barclay journal 1846-1848. William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Harvard University. Autograph File, G. 1641-2009. Houghton Library
referencedIn Edward R. Geary papers, 1840-1878 Oregon Historical Society Research Library
creatorOf Geary, John White, 1819-1873. Letter : to Major General Persifor Smith / by John White Geary, 1856 Sep 19. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Philip Case Lockwood memorial collection of Civil War portraits and autographs, 1862-ca. 1886. Houghton Library
creatorOf Geary, John W., 1819-1873. John W. Geary letters, 1858-1865. Georgia Historical Society
creatorOf Geary, John White, 1819-1873. Signature : [n.p., n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Geary, John White, 1819-1873. Autograph letter signed : Harrisburg, Pa., to E.R. Hoar, 1869 Mar. 26. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf California. Probate Court (San Francisco). Judgment in the matter of the estate of W.A. Leidesdorff, decd. : DS, 1850 Feb. 19. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Richard Coulter journal 1847-1848 Coulter, Richard William L. Clements Library
creatorOf John White Geary Mexican War papers, 1846-1848 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Fitch, Edward P., fl. 1857. Autograph letter signed : Lawrence, Kansas, to the Reverend John Pierpont, 1857 Feb. 16. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf San Francisco (Calif.). Deed : San Francisco : ADS, 1849 Nov. 14. California historical society
referencedIn Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Civil War Commandery of the State of Massachusetts collection: Patriotic covers, ca. 1861-1865. Houghton Library
creatorOf Barry, William F. (William Farquhar), 1818-1879. Civil War letters received and farewell dinner memorabilia, 1861-1862, 1867. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Geary, John White, 1819-1873. Letters, 1858-1865. Atlanta History Center, Kenan Research Center / Cherokee Garden Library
creatorOf John White Geary business papers, 1834-1873 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Geary, Edward R., 1811-1886. Edward R. Geary papers 1847-1876 (bulk 1859-1861). Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Peter H. Burnett papers, 1849-1885 Bancroft Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part III: The Civil War: The Union, 1804-1915. Houghton Library
referencedIn Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1839-1954 University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kanas Collection
creatorOf Coe, William Robertson, 1869-1955,. Coe mss. 32, 37, 44, 81, 85, 122-5, 126, 147, 156, 212, 226, 351, 388, 410, 1816-1918. Kansas State Historical Society
creatorOf Bacon, Henry Douglas, 1813-1893. Henry Douglas Bacon papers, 1853-1880. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn James R. Woodworth papers 1862-1864 Woodworth, James R. papers William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Elliott, James. James Elliott photograph collection. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
creatorOf Geary, John W. Letter, 1863 March 16, Acquia Creek, Va., to F.M. Gilvery [n.p.]. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf United States. Surveyor General of California. Certification and copy of a map of Mariposas : DS, 1856 Oct. 11. California historical society
referencedIn Folsom, Joseph Libbey, 1817-1855. Joseph Libbey Folsom papers, 1849-1852. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Greene, F. V. (Francis Vinton), 1850-1921. Diary of Francis Vinton Greene [manuscript], 1863 June 13-August 18. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Dunaway, Wayland Fuller, 1875-1956. Wayland F. Dunaway historical research collection, 1765-1928. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Tenney, Charles, fl. 1861-1863. Correspondence of Charles Tenney with Adelaide Case, 1861-1863. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Photographic Portrait File The Huntington Library
creatorOf Geary, John White, 1819-1873. John White Geary letter to General George Washington Mindil : New Cumberland, Pa. : ALS, 1865 Dec. 19. California Digital Library
referencedIn Geary, John W., 1819-1873. John W. Geary letters, 1858-1865. Georgia Historical Society
creatorOf Geary, John White, 1819-1873. Letter signed : Harrisburg, to President Grant, 1869 Oct. 30. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Records of the Adjutant General's Office. 1762 - 1984. Generals' Papers and Books. 1830 - 1884. Papers and Books of John White Geary National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn Thomas J. Barclay journal 1846-1848 Barclay, Thomas J. William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Fox Indians. Petition, 1857 Feb 16. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Augustus Mendon Lord collection, Lord (Augustus Mendon) collection, (bulk 1876-1908), 1778-1908 John Hay Library, Special Collections
creatorOf Geary, John White, 1819-1873. [Map of the country between Harper's Ferry and Leesburg, 1862] / sketched by Genl. Geary. HCL Technical Services, Harvard College Library
creatorOf Geary, John White, 1819-1873. John White Geary papers [microform], 1855-1871. Kansas State Historical Society
referencedIn Cochran, Mary Catherine Noland. Diary, 1861-1865. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf John White Geary papers, 1855-1871 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Armor, William Crawford. person
associatedWith Bacon, Henry Douglas, 1813-1893. person
associatedWith Barclay, Thomas J. 1825-1881 person
associatedWith Barry, William F. (William Farquhar), 1818-1879. person
associatedWith Billings, Frederick, 1823-1890. person
associatedWith Bowman, George W. person
associatedWith Bowman, George W. person
associatedWith Brown, George Washington, 1827-1906. person
associatedWith Burnett, Peter H. (Peter Hardeman), 1807-1895 person
associatedWith California. Probate Court (San Francisco) corporateBody
associatedWith Cass, Lewis, 1782-1866. person
associatedWith Cochran, Mary Catherine Noland. person
associatedWith Coe, William Robertson, 1869-1955, person
associatedWith Cooke, Philip St. George, 1809-1895. person
associatedWith Coulter, Richard, 1827-1908 person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
correspondedWith Dunaway, Wayland Fuller, 1875-1956. person
associatedWith Elliott, James. person
associatedWith Fitch, Edward P., fl. 1857. person
associatedWith Folsom, Joseph Libbey, 1817-1855. person
associatedWith Fox Indians. corporateBody
associatedWith Geary, Edward R., 1811-1886. person
associatedWith Geary, Edward R., -1863. person
associatedWith Geary, Edward Ratchford, 1845-1863. person
associatedWith Geary, Edward R., II. person
associatedWith Geary family. family
associatedWith Geary, John W., 1819-1873. person
associatedWith Geary, Margaret A., d. 1853. person
associatedWith Geary, Mary Church Henderson. person
associatedWith Gihon, John H. person
associatedWith Gilman, Charles. person
associatedWith Gilman, Charles. person
associatedWith Gilvery, F. M. person
associatedWith Graham, Margaret R. person
associatedWith Graham, Margaret R. person
associatedWith Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885, person
associatedWith Greene, F. V. (Francis Vinton), 1850-1921. person
associatedWith Gwinn, C. J. M. person
associatedWith Gwinn, C. J. M. person
associatedWith Haldeman, Cyrus S. person
associatedWith Haldeman, Cyrus S. person
associatedWith Hoar, E. R. (Ebenezer Rockwood), 1816-1895, person
associatedWith Hotchkiss, Lawrence E. person
associatedWith Jones, Andrew J. person
associatedWith Jones, Andrew J. person
associatedWith Kansas. Governor (1856-1857 : Geary) corporateBody
associatedWith Kansas. Governor (1856-1857 : Geary) corporateBody
associatedWith Kansas Governors' Papers person
associatedWith Kirkpatrick, John M. person
associatedWith Kirkpatrick, John M. person
associatedWith Klotz, Robert. person
associatedWith Klotz, Robert. person
associatedWith Lockwood, Philip Case, 1844-1897 person
associatedWith Logan, William W. person
associatedWith Logan, William W. person
associatedWith Lord, Augustus Mendon, 1861-1941 person
associatedWith Madson, Joseph L. person
associatedWith Madson, Joseph L. person
associatedWith Mayhew, William E. person
associatedWith Mayhew, William E. person
associatedWith McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896. person
associatedWith McAllister, John H. person
associatedWith McAllister, John H. person
associatedWith McAllister, Richard. person
associatedWith McAllister, Richard. person
associatedWith McCaslin, Maxwell. person
associatedWith McCaslin, Maxwell. person
associatedWith McMurtie, Benjamin E. person
associatedWith McMurtie, Benjamin E. person
associatedWith Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, collector. corporateBody
associatedWith Miller, William D., fl. 1856. person
associatedWith Mindil, George Washington, 1843-1907. person
associatedWith Montgomery, Samuel H., d. 1864. person
associatedWith Mullen, M. person
associatedWith Mullen, M. person
associatedWith O'Hern, Michael P. person
associatedWith O'Hern, Michael P. person
associatedWith Pardee-Robison family. family
associatedWith Philipps, G. Jenkin. person
associatedWith Philipps, G. Jenkin. person
associatedWith Quackenbos, N., . Mrs. person
associatedWith Quackenbos, N., .Mrs. person
associatedWith Ray, Alexander. person
associatedWith Remington, R. person
associatedWith Remington, R. person
associatedWith Richardson, William P., d. 1857. person
associatedWith Russell, William Hepburn, 1812-1872. person
associatedWith San Francisco (Calif.) corporateBody
associatedWith San Francisco (Calif.). District. corporateBody
associatedWith San Francisco (Calif.). Town Council. corporateBody
associatedWith Schley, James M. person
associatedWith Schley, James M. person
associatedWith Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866. person
associatedWith Smith, Persifor Frazer, 1798-1858. person
associatedWith Tebbs & Ball (Leesburg, Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith Tellander, F. person
associatedWith Tellander, F. person
associatedWith Tenney, Charles, fl. 1861-1863. person
associatedWith United States. Army. Pennsylvania Infantry, 2d. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Pennsylvania Infantry, 2d. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 28th. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Surveyor General of California. corporateBody
associatedWith Whittlesey, Elisha, 1783-1863. person
associatedWith Worrell, A. person
associatedWith Worrell, A. person
associatedWith Worth, William Jenkins, 1794-1849. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Kansas
Kansas
Harpers Ferry (W. Va.) Region
United States
Loudoun County (Va.)
Kansas
United States. Army of the Cumberland
United States
Kansas
Kansas
Kansas
United States
United States
United States
California
United States
Atlanta (Ga.)
United States
Subject
Atlanta Campaign, 1864
Chapultepec, Battle of, Mexico City, Mexico, 1847
Elections
Governors
Manuscript maps
Mexican War, 1846-1848
Pennsylvania Infantry. 28th Regiment, 1861-1865
Pennsylvania Light Artillery. Battery E, 1861-1865
Savannah (Ga.)
Sherman's March to the Sea
Occupation
Public officers
Soldiers
Activity

Person

Birth 1819-12-30

Death 1873-02-08

English

Information

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Ark ID: w6fj2s9p

SNAC ID: 70585573