John Alexander LoganJohn Alexander Logan (February 9, 1826 – December 26, 1886) was a soldier and politician from the United States. He fought in the Mexican-American War and was a Union Army commander during the American Civil War. He was a state Representative, a U.S.Representative, and a U.S. Senator from Illinois, and he ran unsuccessfully for Vice President of the United States as James G. Blaine's running mate in the 1884 election. As the third Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, he is widely considered as the pivotal person in the drive to make Memorial Day (formerly known as Decoration Day) an official holiday. His visage can be found on a statue in Washington, D.C.'s Logan Circle. In addition, he is commemorated with a statue in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. Camp Logan in Houston, Texas was once named for him. Logan County, Kansas; Logan County, Oklahoma; Logan County, Colorado; Logan County, North Dakota; and Logan Square, Chicago, which was chosen to commemorate Illinois' centennial. Logan is one of just three people named in the state song of Illinois. He was laid to rest in the United States Capitol Rotunda after his death. Read More Read Less