The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-12-27
SKETCH oFuls LIFE.

thick carpet Of whits.
EEl11lllEILlIllI,lllIlIIS1I lE-zlzllzz
SKETCH OFHIs LIFE.
HIS Early Career Indicated his Future Great
ness aud Advancement.
John A. Logan was born in Jackson
,Ounty, Illinois, February 0, 1925. His
parents were IriAh, but his massive face,
high cheek bones, dark complexion and
straight black hair gave him so typical ar
appearance Of an Indian that 1t is gener'
ally supposed that some Of their blood
couraed through his veins. His father
DR., John A. Logan, emigrsted from Ire.
land In 1928, and settled as a country
practitioner near Murphysboro, Ill.
During his boyhood General Logan wal
given such opportunities fol an education
as were available, 80 thst the time he Ap'
preached his majority he had received a
fair education, and had read many Of the
best authors. Works Of history and biogra
ply were his ilvohtss, and this prefer
ment probably lOd him to devote himself
to his country and to emulate the great
men with whose lives he was familiar, He
showed an individuality oil character and
desire to push things at an early age,
and he became an acknowledged leader
among the boys Of his own time. That
self reliance and independence OF action
Joined with personal bravery which have
made him name in his manhood showed
themselves In his early years.
General Logan was D fair linguist,
having studied Crock, Latin and Spanish,
speaking the latter iuently. Proficient
in his studies, he would have won still
greater honor therein had not "the rust.
ling OF Q banner and the rolling Of q
drum" caught his eye and ear, stirred the
positive nature to ils very centre and
awake still more enthuslCAlly within his
breast the love OF the old flag which in
late years he defended through many O
danger, never iolterlng, never waveIlrg,
nover doubtful loihnsl suCces and a glorious
vlndicGtlon Of the equal rights OF man and
God.giYen blessings OF freedom to'all.
FIRST MILITARY SERVICE.
When the United States declared war
with Mexico, he was in his nineteenth
year, strong and robust. for his age, and
full Of patriotic lervor. 1t was no wonder
then that he responded tnthe call for men,
and loft the parental home to battle fol
his country. The very first important
movement fred his blood and quickened
bis resolution to action, and he swung
into line ag q private soldier.
He was not long In service before he was
promoted to the liautenRuOy aud served aa
adiutant OF the First Illinois regiment
From this position he was made quarter.
master, In which capacity he served until
the end OF the war. He returned with
his regiment 10 his native State, when be
was mustered out and became q private
citizen.
An incident Of his early life proves hit
mental Htanina and hrmness OF purpose.
Soon after he had been elected clerk o.
the County Court he entered the Office oI
bis uncle one day and surprised him by
tue declaration that he was going TO resign
From this purpose he could not be swerv'
ed. He had already mapped ont his ia.
ture, the study Of law included, and deter.
mined upon q full term oil scholarship at
I,ouiBville, Ky. Soon after he commenced
the study Of law In the Office Of his uncle,
Lieutenant Governor jenkins, OF Illinois.
He was admitted 10 the bar In 1851, just
when he had reached his twenty.Alth
year. He at once entered into practice,
and his ability soon attracted public atten-
tion, and 60 popular did he become that
hO was sucCessively chosen q member oil
the Legislature, Prosecuting Attorney, and
. candidate for Presidential Eloctor on The
buchanan and Breckenridge ticket. He
was then leading Democrat.
IN CONGRESS AND TnE ARMY.
Two years later he was sent to Congress,
entering at the same time as Roscoe
Conkling. He was reelected in 1S8OD
That year he waSs warm advocate Of Ste.
phen A. Douglass, bat when Lincoln was
elected, be announced thRtif necessary he
would shoulder q musket and 70 10 Wash.
ington 10 help seCure. Lincoln'S inaugura-
ti0n.
He attended the extra session Of Con.
gress in 1851, but left tho House in July
and entered the army, taking part In the
frat Bull Run engagement. Alter Con.
gees adjourned he returned to Illinois
and raised o regiment, which organised
in September with him as Colonel. The
regiment soon engaged In its first battle,
az Belmont. lie was severely wounded
before Fort Donelaon, and shortly alter
became 60 Ill that his life was for q time
debpaired Of. In 1868 he was made O
Bflgadier General. He commanded Of
Jackson, Tenn. When YiCksburg fell his
forces marched In first. From July 4, 1868,
hO was military Governor Of MiBSi5Aippl.
He aiterRard returned North, and made
speeches Of d patriotic character, boldly
advocating the abolition Of slavery.
In October, 1893, he was made Major
General, and given command OF The
fifteenth Army CorpB, and when Nc.
pherson fell he succeeded him 40 com.
nAnder Of tho Amy ol Tennessee, being
The only volunteer soldier In the war who
ever rose 10 the command Of an army.
He waH with Sherman on the famous
march 10 the Hea till Johnson surrendered.
From the close Of the war 10 1871 ho
wis frequently honored by the people oil
Illinois With high positions. In 1871 and
In 1870 he was elected 10 the United
States Senate, The interim from 1877 10
1870 being allied by osleSby. He was
again elected Ia 1885.
He waa rendered the po9ition ol Minis.
tor 10 Mexico at one time, but declined II,
General Logan's career In both housea
oi Oonefesa gave him Wide fame, His
defense Of the court martial which SEN
fenced FltE John Porter and his vote
agalnbt an investigation Of the Payne case
stand ont % salient points, and both show
hla conscientious adherence 70 the course
hO believed 10 DO figlt IN spite Of blltel
opposition OF undtg!Iable consequences,