John A. Logan
John Alexander Logan (February 9, 1826 – December 26, 1886) was an American soldier and politician. He served in the Mexican–American War and was a general in the Union Army in the American Civil War. He served the state of Illinois as a state Representative, a U.S. Representative, and a U.S. Senator and was an unsuccessful candidate for Vice President of the United States as James G. Blaine's running mate in the election of 1884. As the 3rd Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, he is regarded as the most important figure in the movement to recognize Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) as an official holiday.
John Logan | |
|---|---|
Logan, c. 1880s | |
| United States Senator from Illinois | |
| In office March 4, 1879 – December 26, 1886 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Oglesby |
| Succeeded by | Charles B. Farwell |
| In office March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1877 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Yates |
| Succeeded by | David Davis |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's at-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1871 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel W. Moulton |
| Succeeded by | John Lourie Beveridge |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 9th district | |
| In office March 4, 1859 – April 2, 1862 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel S. Marshall |
| Succeeded by | William Allen |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 5th district | |
| In office January 5, 1857 – January 3, 1859 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas M. Sans |
| Succeeded by | James Hampton |
| In office January 3, 1853 – January 1, 1855 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas M. Sans |
| Succeeded by | Thomas M. Sans |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Alexander Logan February 9, 1826 Murphysboro, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 26, 1886 (aged 60) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 1866) Republican (1866–1886) |
| Spouse |
Mary Simmerson Cunningham
(m. 1855) |
| Children | 3 (including John Jr. and Mary) |
| Education | Shiloh College University of Louisville (LLB) |
| Signature | |
| Nickname | "Black Jack" |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1848 (U.S. Army) 1861–1865 (Union Army) |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands | XV Corps |
| Battles/wars | Mexican-American War American Civil War • First Battle of Bull Run • Battle of Belmont • Battle of Fort Donelson • Second Battle of Corinth • Vicksburg Campaign • Battle of Atlanta • Battle of Jonesborough • Battle of Bentonville |
His likeness appears on a statue at the center of Logan Circle, Washington, D.C. He is also honored with a statue in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. Memorial Park in Houston, Texas was formerly Camp Logan named after him. He is the honoree of Logan County, Kansas; Logan County, Oklahoma; Logan County, Colorado; Logan County, North Dakota; and Logan Square, Chicago, which is the neighborhood chosen to mark Illinois' centennial. Logan is one of only three people mentioned by name in the Illinois state song. Upon his death, he lay in state in the United States Capitol rotunda. He is the father of U.S. Army officer and Medal of Honor recipient John Alexander Logan Jr. (1865–1899).