John A. Logan

John Logan
Logan, c. 1880s
United States Senator
from Illinois
In office
March 4, 1879 – December 26, 1886
Preceded byRichard Oglesby
Succeeded byCharles B. Farwell
In office
March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1877
Preceded byRichard Yates
Succeeded byDavid Davis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1871
Preceded bySamuel W. Moulton
Succeeded byJohn Lourie Beveridge
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 9th district
In office
March 4, 1859 – April 2, 1862
Preceded bySamuel S. Marshall
Succeeded byWilliam Allen
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 5th district
In office
January 5, 1857 – January 3, 1859
Preceded byThomas M. Sans
Succeeded byJames Hampton
In office
January 3, 1853 – January 1, 1855
Preceded byThomas M. Sans
Succeeded byThomas M. Sans
Personal details
Born
John Alexander Logan

(1826-02-09)February 9, 1826
Murphysboro, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 26, 1886(1886-12-26) (aged 60)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (before 1866)
Republican (1866–1886)
Spouse
(m. 1855)
Children3 (including John Jr. and Mary)
EducationShiloh College
University of Louisville (LLB)
Signature
Nickname"Black Jack"
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1847–1848 (U.S. Army)
1861–1865 (Union Army)
RankMajor General
CommandsXV Corps
Battles/warsMexican-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

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.

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).