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MCCLERNAND, JOHN ALEXANDER, a volunteer officer in the Civil War and prominent Democratic politician, was born in Breckenridge County, Ky., May 30, 1812, brought to Shawneetown in 1816, was admitted to the bar in 1832 and engaged in journalism for a time. He served in the Black Hawk War, and was elected to the Legislature in 1836, and again in 1840 and '42. The latter year he was elected to Congress, serving four consecutive terms, but declining a renomination, being about to remove to Jacksonville, where he resided from 1851 to 1856. Twice (1840 and '52) he was a Presidential Elector on the Democratic ticket. In 1856 he removed to Springfield, and, in 1859, re-entered Congress as Representative of the Springfield District; was re-elected in 1860, but resigned in 1861 to accept a commission as Brigadier-General of Volunteers from President Lincoln, being promoted Major-General early in 1862. He participated in the battles of Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and before Vicksburg, and was in command at the capture of Arkansas Post, but was severely criticized for some of his acts during the Vicksburg campaign and relieved of his command by General Grant. Having finally been restored by order of President Lincoln, he participated in the campaign in Louisiana and Texas, but resigned his commission in 1864. General McClernand presided over the Democratic National Convention of 1876, and, in 1886, was appointed by President Cleveland one of the members of the Utah Commission, serving through President Harrison's administration. He was also elected Circuit Judge in 1870, as successor to Hon. B. S. Edwards, who had resigned. Died Sept. 20, 1900.