History of Hardinsburg, (Breckinridge County) Kentucky United States of America

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John Alexander McClernand, representative, was born near Hardinsburg, Ky., May 30, 1812, the only son of Dr. John and Fatima (Cummins) Seaton McClernand, and grandson of Alexander McClernand, of Antrim, Ireland. His father, a political exile, left Ireland in 1801, landed in Philadelphia Pa., and settled near Hardinsburg, Ky., from whence he removed in 1813 to Shawneetown, Ill., where he died in 1816. Johnwas brought up on a farm, studied law under Henry Eddy, 1829-32, and was admitted to the bar. In 1832 he volunteered for service in the Black Hawk war and engaged in trading on the Ohio and Mississippi river, 1833-34. He resumed his law practice and established the Democrat at Shawneetown, Ill., in 1835, and was a representative in the Illinois legislature, 1836-42, where he defended President Jackson against an attack by Governor Duncan. He was married in 1843 to Sarah, daughter of Colonel Dunlap, of Jacksonville, Ill. He was appointed by the legislature commissioner and treasurer of the Illinois and Michigan canal. He was a presidential elector on the Van Buren and Johnson ticket in 1840, and a Democratic representative from Illinois in the 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 36th and 37th congresses, 1843-51, and 1859-61. He resigned his seat in the 37th congress to enter the U.S. volunteer army, He raised a brigade made up of Illinois men with the aid of N. B. Buford, John A. Logan and Philip B. Fouke, and was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers by President Lincoln in 1861. At the battle of Belmont he commanded the 1st brigade of Grant's army, and at the capture of Fort Donelson the 1st division made up of Oglesby's, W. H. L. Wallace's and William R. Morrison's brigades. He was promoted major-general of volunteers, March 21, 1862. He commanded the 1st division, Army of the Tennessee, at the battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862. In the Vicksburg campaign, May 1-July 4, 1863, he commanded the 13th army corps. He took part in the engagements at Port Gibson, April 30 to May 1, 1862; Champion Hills, May 16, 1863; and Black River Bridge, May 17, 1863, and at the siege of Vicksburg. He was charged by General Grant with not supporting the troops engaged in the battle of Champion Hills, and his action caused General Grant to countermand an order he had given General Hovey on the field, and McClernand was relieved of his command soon after the surrender of Vicksburg. He was reinstated by President Lincoln, Jan. 31, 1864, but resigned from the army on account of ill health, Nov. 30, 1864, and resumed the practice of law at Springfield, Ill., in 1865. He was circuit judge for the Sangamon district, 1870-73; chairman of the Democratic national convention at St. Louis, Mo., in 1876, and was appointed a member of the Utah commission by President Cleveland in 1886. He died in Springfield, Ill., Sept. 20, 1900.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Hardinsburg, (Breckinridge County) Kentucky

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