1826
On February 9, 1826, John Alexander Logan is born at home in what is now Murphysboro, Illinois.
1847
Logan marches off to the Mexican-American War, a clerk with the First Illinois Infantry. He meets his future wife, the young daughter of his commanding officer.
1849
Logan is elected Clerk of Jackson County, Illinois.
1851
Logan receives Law Degree from the Louisville University and becomes the prosecuting attorney of the Third Judicial District Circuit Court.
1852
The Fifth District elects Logan as their representative in the Illinois Legislature.
1855
Mary Cunningham says, “I do” as she and John A. Logan become life-long partners.
1858
The Ninth District elects Logan to the Federal House of Representatives. He is elected to a second term in 1860.
1861-1865
The Civil War begins. Logan leaves his seat in the House of Representatives to become a Union Colonel. From Colonel to Major General he climbs the ranks playing a pivotal role in a dozen battles including: Belmont, Fort Donaldson, Thompson Hill, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Vicksburg, Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Ezra Church.
1866
After the war Logan returns to an at-large seat in Congress as a Republican.
1868
Logan becomes a United States Senator and moves to Chicago.