HARTRANFT, John Frederick, soldier, born in New Hanover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 16 December, 1830. He was educated at Marshall and Union colleges, and was graduated at the latter in 1853, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. At the beginning of the civil war he raised the 4th Pennsylvania regiment, and commanded it during the three months of its enlistment, which expired the day before the first battle of Bull Run. As his regiment had been ordered to Harrisburg to be mustered out, he asked and obtained leave to serve as a volunteer on General William B. Franklin's staff in that battle. He then organized the 51st Pennsylvania regiment, was commissioned its colonel. 27 July, 1861, and with it accompanied General Burnside in his expedition to North Carolina in March, 1862. He took part in all the engagements of the 9th corps, led the charge that carried the stone bridge at Antietam, and commanded his regiment at Fredericksburg. He was then ordered to Kentucky, and was engaged in the battle of Campbell's Station and the successful defence of Knoxville. He was with the 9th corps in June, 1863, as covering army to the troops besieging Vicksburg, and after the fall of that place with General William T. Sherman in his advance to Jackson, Mississippi He commanded a brigade in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers on 12 May, 1864, and took part in all the movements before Petersburg. He was assigned to the command of a division in August, 1864, and brevetted major-general for his services in re-capturing Fort Steadman on 25 March, 1865.

He was elected auditor-general of Pennsylvania in October, 1865, and on 29 August, 1866, the president offered him a colonelcy in the regular army, which he declined. General Hartranft was re-elected auditor-general in 1868, and in 1872-'8 was governor of Pennsylvania.

The militia of Pennsylvania was entirely reorganized on a military basis during his two terms as governor. The plan of municipal reform that was suggested by him in 1876 was adopted in 1885, the mayor of Philadelphia being elected under its provisions in 1887. Immediately after the close of his second term as governor he removed to Philadelphia.

He was appointed postmaster of that city in June, 1879, and collector of the port in August, 1880. He is now (1887) major-general commanding the National guard of Pennsylvania, which post he has held by appointment since 1879.