John A. Logan

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 (1826-02-09)February 9, 1826 Murphysboro, Illinois, U.S.
Died	December 26, 1886(1886-12-26) (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

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).