Johnson tendered him a Foreign Mission, but he felt that he could not accept it without compromising his position before the people, and he declined. In 1867, he was a prominent candidate for the United States Senate, where a large circle of his friends were desirous of placing him; and in 1868, he was warmly supported for Vice-President in connection with General Grant. Soon after the latter's inauguration, he nominated Governor Curtin for Minister to Russia, and the nomination was promptly confirmed by the Senate. Just before embarking for his new duty he was the recipient of a marked evidence of devotion. The Councils of Philadelphia unanimously invited him to a public reception in Independence Hall, and, in addition, the leading citizens, without distinction of party, united in giving him a banquet at the Academy of Music, that has perhaps never been equalled for elegance and every manifestation of popular affection and applause.

He sailed in June, 1869, and in the discharge of his diplo matic duties he has proven himself one of the most popular representatives which the nation has sent abroad. In the convention of the Liberal Republicans held in Cincinnati in May, 1872, as well as in that of the regular Republican Convention at Philadelphia, shortly afterwards, Governor Curtin had a highly respectable number of delegates who were desirous of nominating him for the Vice-Presidency. In senti ment, Governor Curtin, while adhering firmly to those cardinal doctrines of the Republic, which he believes conducive to personal liberty and equality before the law, and a general government, on the other hand, respected at home and abroad for its inherent strength, nevertheless inclines to a conservative exercise of both prerogative and power.

In person, Governor Curtin is tall and commanding, with a broad, massive head, and deep chest, indicative of great power, blue eyes, and, in youth, chestnut hair. His appearance before a popular audienhe is inspiring; his eye is lit with the fires of enthusiasm, his nostrils are dilated, and his action bold and commanding, suggesting the model of oratory in the best of the classic days.

Governor Curtin married Catharine, daughter of William J. Wilson, M. D., of Centre County. They have one son and four daughters. Within a few days past, August, 1872, Minister Curtin, with his family, has returned to this country. His many friends were anxious to accord him a most hearty welcome; but with sorrow they read the announcement flashed over the continent by the electric current, that his health is greatly impaired, and that his physicians have enjoined seclusion and rest.

80

JOHN W. GEARY.

GOVERNOR UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1838.

JOHN

January 15, 1867, to January 21, 1873.

OHN WHITE GEARY, the youngest of four sons, was born near Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of December, 1819. The family was originally Scotch-Irish, but for several generations his ancestors had enjoyed the privileges and honors of American birth. Richard Geary, his father, a native of Franklin County, received a liberal education, and was a man of refined tastes, amiable disposition, and superior moral excellence. His mother, Margaret White, was born in Washington County, Maryland, and was in all respects worthy to be the companion and help meet of her husband. They removed to Western Pennsylvania soon after their marriage, where Mr. Geary's attention being directed to the mineral wealth of that section, he was induced to engage in the manufacture of iron. This business, which has always been attended with serious risks, was much more precarious then than now; and, like many of the iron manufacturers of that period, he was unsuccessful, lost the whole of his original investment, and after resigning everything into the hands of his creditors, was left under pecuniary liabilities, which he was unable to discharge. In this trying situation he fell back upon the resources of his early education, and opened a select school in Westmoreland County. The remainder of his life was there devoted to a profession at all times honorable, and imposing the gravest responsibilities, but seldom lucrative; and from his previous failure in business, he died insolvent, leaving his family entirely dependent upon their own exertions for support.