John W. Geary was an American politician and military officer, best known for serving as the 13th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1867 to 1873. He was born on December 30, 1819, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and played a significant role during the American Civil War as a Union general. Before his political career, Geary was involved in various business ventures and served as the mayor of San Francisco. His leadership during the war and his subsequent governorship contributed to his reputation as a dedicated public servant, focusing on issues like education and infrastructure development in Pennsylvania.