The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-27
Sketch Of Cen. Logan's Life.

John Alexander Logan was OF Irish de-
scent. His father, who was a physician,
settled in the State Of Maryland, subsequent
ly removing to Kentucky. then to Missouri,
and finally to Illinois. His mother was Miss
Elizabeth Jenkins, a native of Tennessee.
John Alexander was born February 9, 1926,
in Jackson county, Illinois. His bOyhOod
was spent on farm and he was brought up
to hard work. The public schools in his
neighbOrh00d were poor and little was to be
got from them, but young Logan had the
good fortune to have competent private
tutor during part of his bOyhOod, which
somewhat made up for his lack of school
privileges. When .the Mexican war broke
out young Logan enlisted as a private and
was afterwards chosen as second lieutenant
of one of the companies of his regiment,
which was the First Illinois Subsequently
he was detached to act as quartermaster
After the war was over and he had return
ed home, he began the study of the law with
his uncle, Alexander Nj. jenkins, who had
been Lieutenant governor of Illinois. In
November, 1S49, he was elected county clerk,
and held Office year, attending to his law
studies in the meanwhile. he attended
course of lectures at the University OF Louis
vile and in 1851 received sdiploma. He
of the law and entered into partner
ship with his uncle. In 1852 he was chosen
prosecuting attorney of the then third judi
cial district of Illinois. That year he renoy-
ed to Benton where he continued his law
practice and largely increased his circle of
personal and political friends. This year
also he served in the legislature and won
considerable local fame as powerful de-
batter and an aggressive opponent of monop-
oils. In 1866 he married Miss Mary S. Gun
ningham, daughter of John Nj. Cunningham,
register of the United States land Office at
Shawneetown, woman of many accomplish
ments and Of great spirit and determination.
In 1856 Mr.. Logan was chosen presidential
QlaafOr fhQ nQm0pra iQ fiakat and n ct hiS
vote for James Buchanan and John 9.
Breckenridge. In the fall of that year he
was reelected to the State legislature and
again in the year following; In 1858 he was
elected a representative to Congress from
the ninth district of Illinois as a Democrat,
and in the long contest for speaker he was
vigorous defender of Stephen A. Douglass.
He was assigned to the chairmanship of the
committee on revised and unfinished busi-
ness AS congressman he showed great
industry and executive ability. In 1860 he
was reelected to the Thirty-seventh Con-
gress, again as Democrat. Though he had
been an earnest supporter of Douglass in the
campaign, he accepted the result Of the cleo
ton and declared that he would shoulder his
musket to have Lincoln inaugurated
if any armed demonstration should be made.
When the resolution was introduced
into the House endorsing the action of Major
Anderson in Withdrawing from Fort Sum-
ter to Fort Moultrie Mr.. Logan voted for it.
On the 9th Of August, 1861, Congress adjourn
ed and Mr.. Logan hastened to Illinois and
began to raise regiment, entering as pri-
vate himself. He was chosen and commits
stoned colonel, however. He was present at
the fighting at Belmont and participated in
the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donel-
son, receiving a severe wound in the arm at
the latter battle. His bravery in this battle
was hOnorably mentioned by his command
ing officers, and Gen. Grant recommended
him to the Secretary of War for promotion.
He was subsequently appointed Brigadier
General and his appointment was confirmed
by tlifSenate in March, 1862, on the twelfth
of April following, having declined sick
leave" he was placed in command of the bri-
gade in which he had served under McCler-
nand and Oglesby, excepting that the twelfth
Michigan regiment was substituted for his
own regiment. He was present at the battle
of Corinth, and in his official report Gen.
Sherman ackno @ledged special obligations
to Gen. Logan While he was in the field
| the Republicans of his district asked permis-
| sion to use his name as their candidate for
| Congress, but he declined on the ground that
| his duty to his country called him to remain
| where he was. At Vicksburg he again distin-
guished himself and when the city fell he was
| appointed its military governor. On the 18th
| of FOvember, 1863, he was promoted to the
command of the Fifteenth Army Corps as
the successor of Gen. Sherman, and partici-
| pated in the march through Georgia, leading
| the advance. He lead the famous assault al
Kenesaw mountains, displaying courage
and recklessness as to his life which won
universal admiration.
When the war closed President johnson
offered him the position of Minister
to Mexico but he declined He accepted the
Republican candidacy for Representative al
| large and was elected by an overyhelmino
majority. He was one Of the managers 81
| the impeachment of President Johnson. He
was reelected to.theIForty-f Congress and
| in March, 1871, he became Senator from III
| linoiS and served until 1877. In 1879. he was
| again elected to the Senate TO succeed Gov
Oglesby. In 1884, he was nominated by the
Republicans for Vice President, and " hen
the Illinois legislature met after election he
! was chosen United States Senator. In / s66
he was elected grand commander of tht
Grand Army of the Republic for two wears
| In 1863 he was reelected, again in 1865 and
again in 1870 During his administration The
present Grand Army badge was adopted and
| Memorial Day was Instituted