GEN. JOHN A. LOGAN, Soldier and statesman, has a record unsurpassed for bravery and heroism. He was born in Murphysboro, Ill., Feb. 9th, 1826, the eldest of eleven children. His father, Dr. John Logan, was from Ireland; his mother, from Tennessee. As the schools at that time were poor, in some sections of the country, he was taught by his father, and at sixteen entered Shiloh College. SERVED IN MEXICAN WAR. The Mexican war began when he was twenty, and his eager, earnest nature impelled him to duty. He was among the first to volunteer as a private, and later was made first lieutenant in an Illinois company, and then adjutant of the regiment. Returning home four years later, he began to study law with his uncle, Alexander M. Jenkins, formerly Lieutenant-Governor of Illinois. In three years he was admitted to the bar (already having been elected Clerk of Jackson County), and formed a partnership with his uncle. In less than a year he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the Third Judicial District of the State. With unusual ability in public speaking, clear and practical, he was chosen to the State Legislature, to which he was re-elected in 1853 and 1854. GOES TO CONGRESS. In 1858 he was elected to Congress, and re-elected in i860. When Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas were the Presidential candidates, Mr. Logan was a Democrat, and worked for the election of Mr. Douglas, but declared if Mr. Lincoln was elected, and the South rebelled against the will of the majority, “he would shoulder his musket to have Lincoln inaugurated.” Thus fair and manly was the soldier-statesman. Although a member of Congress, he left his seat and took his place in the ranks in the very first battles of the war. His duty was plain before him. The Union must be maintained. He at once spoke thrilling wordsto large audiences in Southern Illinois, was elected a colonel, and led his men at the very front. He bad a horse shot under him at Belmont, and the pistol at his side I
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