The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Hartranft, John Frederick

HARTRANFT, John Frederick, American soldier: b. New Hanover, Pa., 16 Dec. 1830; d. Norristown, Pa., 17 Oct. 1889. He was graduated at Union College in 1853, and in 18S9 was admitted to the bar. At the outbreak of the Civil War he organized the 51st Pennsylvania regiment, was made its colonel and with it participated in Burnside's expedition to North Carolina (1862). He also commanded the regiment in a charge at Antietam, and at Fredericksburg. In March 1865, he commanded a division of the Ninth corps in their assault on Fort Steadman, and was brevetted major-general. He was elected auditor-general of Pennsylvania in 1865, and re-elected in 1868. From 1872 to 1878 he was governor of Pennsylvania, and thoroughly reorganized the Pennsylvania militia, which from 1879 he commanded, with rank of major-general.