Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-12-29
LIFE OF GEN. LOGAN.
A Sketch of the Dead So1dier-Statesman's
Career.

A Sketch of the Dead So1dier-Statesman's
Career.
John A. Logan was born in jackson
County, H., February 8, 1924, the eldest
OF eleven children born to DR.. John Logan.
His father was an ITishman, who had
landed in this country three years before,
and had lost no time in marrying an
American lady, Miss Elizabeth Jenkins, of
Tennessee. Being a man Of culture Mr..
Logan undertook the education of his son,
who besides, enjoyed some advanta ges from
the schools of the neighborhood. In 1910
when 16 years OF age, young Logan
became a student of Shiloh College, At the
outbreak OF the war with Mexico, when 90
years old, he volunteered for service among
the first, was accepted, and made a lieuten.
ant in the First Illinois Regiment. He rose
to be adiutant in the same regiment and
was distinguished for his great bravery in
action. In October, lS48, he returned to
his native state, and became a student of
the law in the Office OF his uncle, Alexander
M. Jenkins, who had been lieutenant
governor of Illinois. His first civil position
was in 1849, when he was elected clerk
OF Jackson County. The next year, upon
the completion of his term of office, he
attended the law school at Louisville, KY,
where in 1851 he received diploma. He
was subsequently admitted to the bar and
his uncle received him into partnership
Within a year he attained reputation as
good lawyer and fluent and forcible speak
er, and in 1852 was elected prosecuting at
torney of the Third judicial District of the
state. He then made his home at Benton
and held his Office by reelection until
J 057. The year of his graduation he was
elected to the state legislature, and was
re elected in 1853, 1856 and 1857. When
Buchanan and Breckenridge were candi-
dates for the presidency and vice presidency
Mr.. Logan's name appeared on the
ticket as a presideD t,al elector. HIS
first election to Congress was in 1853
as Douglas Democrat. He was reelected
two years after. In July, 1861, during the
extra session OF Congress, his patriotism
was 80 greatly aroused by the sight of
Illinois troops going to the front that he
left his seat in the House and Joined the
troops on their way to meet the enemy.
He marched bravely into the first battle of
Bull Run under Col. Richardson, fought in
the ranks, and was among the last to leave
the field. In August of the same year he
returned from his home to Washington, re-
signed his Office as representative, and
dedicated himself to his country's cause
for the term OF the war. unless sooner
killed or disabled.
IN THE ARMY.
His record in Congress agreed with his
heroism in the field of battle. AS a. Demo-
craft he favored the nomination of Stephen
A. Douglas, and did his best to elect HIM
but at the same time, boldly avowed his
intention to 6ght fer Mr.. Lincoln's inaugu-
ration in the event ofhis election provoking
physical opposition to it. His loyalty to
the union was conspicuous ia congressional
debates in the winter of 1S60-'6I, during
which he was frequent in his reproaches Of
Southern disloy atty, and on repeated oc-
casions forcibly drew a comparison between
1t and the obligations of the oath OF fidelity
to the constitution, which, as members OF
Congress, disloyal representatives had
taken.