John W. Geary papers
Finding aid created by San Francisco History Center staff using RecordEXPRESS
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
2022
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, California 94102
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http://sfpl.org/sfhistory
Title: John W. Geary papers
Dates: 1849-1851
Collection Number: SFH 163
Creator/Collector:
Geary, John White, 1819-1873.
Extent: 2 folders
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: Personal and business papers of San Francisco's first mayor.
Language of Material: English
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
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All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item]. John W. Geary papers. Collection Number: SFH 163. San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History
Center
Gift.
Biography/Administrative History
John White Geary was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in 1819. He served in the Mexican War with the 2nd Pennsylvania
Infantry Regiment. President Polk appointed him Postmaster of San Francisco January 22, 1849, with powers to create post offices,
appoint postmasters, establish mail routes, and make contracts for carrying the mails throughout California. Geary was elected
Alcalde January 8, 1850, and then became first mayor of San Francisco May 1, 1850; he was later governor of the Kansas Territory,
and the 16th governor of Pennsylvania. His first marriage was to Margaret Ann Logan, and they had two sons. He died in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, February 8, 1873, soon after his second term as governor ended.
Scope and Content of Collection
One folder includes ten original items, personal and governmental correspondence and other documents:
I. Inventory of Post Office Department property placed on board of the San Francisco steamship Panama by Stephen J. Dallas,
January 12, 1849 (1 leaf, folded)
II. Letter, M.O. Roberts, New York to Mr. S. A. Seymour, February 1, 1849 (1 leaf, folded)
III. Letter, JWG, steamer Oregon, Pacific Ocean to Dear Parents, March 31, 1849 (2 leaves, folded)
IV. Letter, JWG, San Francisco to dear Parents, April 30, 1849 (1 leaf, folded)
V. Letter, David Logan, Stockton, to John Geary [on the Stockton mines], 1849 and
VI. Letter, [Margaret Geary], Stockton, to My Dear Mother, 1849 (1 leaf)
VII. Letter, JWG [San Francisco], [to Postmaster General] account of establishment of post office, 1849
(1 leaf, folded)
VIII. Inventory of Stock in [San Francisco] post office, taken July 23, 1849 (1 leaf, folded)
IX. Letter, Horace Hawes, San Francisco, to J. W. Geary, Esq. [notification of election as first
Alcalde] January 10, 1850 (1 leaf, folded, and envelope)
X. Bond of Indemnity, the City of San Francisco to John W. Geary & others [authorization to execute
bonds], May 3,1851 (1 leaf, folded).
A second folder includes typewritten transcriptions.
Mayors -- California -- San Francisco
Postmasters -- United States
Postal service -- California -- San Francisco
Voyages to the Pacific Coast -- Diaries
Gold mines and mining -- California -- History -- 19th century
Geary family
Logan family
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Description and travel.
California -- History -- 1846-1850.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Politics and government -- 19th century.