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Loomis, John Mason (G.A.R. Civil War), COL.
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Home Town Windsor, CT
Last Address Chicago, IL. Died Aug. 2, 1900. Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery Windsor, Connecticut
Colonel John Mason Loomis, U.S.V.
Commanded 1st Brigade, First Division, 16th Army Corps, Army of Tennessee;
26th Illinois, 90th Illinois, 12th Indiana, 100th Indiana.
John Mason Loomis, son of Colonel James Loomis of Windsor CT, joined the crew of a merchant vessel, traveling to India and China on the East India trade routes while he was still a teenager and then commissioned a captain in the Connecticut Militia. In 1846, he took a clerk's job in a Wisconsin lumber business. Two years later, he bought the company, beginning a career that spanned five decades and three states. John raised the 26th Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1861, became its colonel, and led the regiment in 57 skirmishes. His life after the Civil War was devoted to rebuilding his once successful Chicago-based business; he accomplished this with the great acumen that he also brought to community and veterans' associations. John helped to administer relief funds to victims of the 1871 Great Fire of Chicago and financially revived the Illinois National Guard.
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Colonel Loomis was a charter member of MOLLUS, the Loyal Legion of the United States, Illinois Commandery, which was established in May 1879. He served as Treasurer 1879, head of the U.S. Volunteers (1880-1883) and Commander 1884.
From an article in "Industrial Chicago": The Lumber Interests, Volume 6. (1895)
Although approaching his seventieth year, Col. Loomis is yet active and vigorous, and is still alive to the wants and interests of the city of Chicago and the great West. He hs lost none of his military fevor, and takes great interest in the Loyal Legion, of which he was a charter member, and of which he was elected vice-commander in 1880, and in 1884 was elected commander, to succeed the gallant Phil. Sheridan, in the Illinois Commandery. He is a member of George H. Thomas Post (No. 5) of the G.A.R., and holds the honorary position of colonel for life, of the military survivors of the Twenth-sixth Regiment, Illinois Infantry Volunteers. He is a member of Grace Episcopal Church and an honored member of various social organizations, including the Chicago, Calumet, Union, Washington Park and Tolliston Clubs.
Other Comments:
Civil War and Civic Duty
With the outbreak of the Civil War, John Mason Loomis was commissioned as a Colonel and became the commander of the 26th Illinois Infantry Regiment. Under his command they were mustered into federal service August 31, 1861, fulfilling his dream as a young man in Windsor. After finally receiving arms and equipment, they departed February 19, 1862, for New Madrid, MO, joining General John Pope's Corps. Of note is that Colonel Loomis' wife, Mary Jane Hunt Loomis, accompanied her husband to the front and became head of the company of nurses.
Loomis commanded the 26th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War and held the rank of colonel for three years. He and his Regiment participated in most of the important battles in the Western Theater. During 1862 the regiment was attached to the 3rd Division and then the 2nd Division of the Army of the Mississippi. In 1863 the regiment formed a part of the 16th, then the 17th Corps of the Army of the Tennessee. For the remaining years of the War, the regiment was attached to the 15th Army Corps. At the time of the Vicksburg Campaign, John Mason Loomis was in command of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division of the 16th Corps, consisting of the 26th Illinois, 90th Illinois, 12th Indiana, and the 100th Indiana. The 16th Corps was commanded by Major General William Tecumseh Sherman from Vicksburg to Jackson.
At the seige of Vicksburg, 23 May - 4 July 1863: Colonel John Mason Loomis-- commanding 1st Brigade, First Division, 16th Army Corps, Army of Tennessee; 26th Illinois, 90th Illinois, 12th Indiana, 100th Indiana-- reporting to Brig. Gen. William Sooy Smith.
Colonel Loomis, having sought a promotion, and although recommended twice by General U.S. Grant to advance to the rank of Brigadier General, it was not forthcoming and he resigned April 30, 1864. Returning to Chicago, he became a large real estate owner and was very active in supporting veteran affairs.
In 1874, Colonel Loomis joined his three brothers and a sister to incorporate for the purpose of forming the "Loomis Institute", later to become the Loomis-Chaffee School, to help the education of boys and girls in Windsor, CT.
Colonel Loomis died on August 2, 1900. When his wife Mary died October 9, 1910, she left an endowment of $1,125,000 to the "Loomis Institute".
John Mason Loomis is listed as No. 2537 in THE LOOMIS FAMILY IN AMERICA.
Chain of Command With the outbreak of the Civil War, John Mason Loomis was commissioned as a Colonel and became the commander of the 26th Illinois Infantry Regiment. Under his command they were mustered into federal service August 31, 1861, fulfilling his dream as a young man in Windsor. After finally receiving arms and equipment, they departed February 19, 1862, for New Madrid, MO, joining General John Pope's Corps. Of note is that Colonel Loomis' wife mary accompanied her husband to the front and became head of the company of nurses.
He and his Regiment participated in most of the important battles in the Western Theater. During the Vicksburg Campaign, Colonel Loomis commanded the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Corps of which the 26th Illinois was a part.
Colonel Loomis resigned April 30, 1864 having sought a promotion to Brigadier General which was not forthcoming. He returned to Chicago and became a large real estate owner and was very active in supporting veteran affairs.
In 1874, Colonel Loomis joined his three brothers and a sister to incorporate for the purpose oChaffee School, to help the education of boys and girls in Windsor, CT.
Colonel Loomis died on August 2, 1900. When his wife Mary died October 9, 1910, she left an endowment of $1,120,000 to the "Loomis Institute".
Loomis commanded the 26th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War and held the rank of colonel for three years. He and his Regiment participated in most of the important battles in the Western Theater. During 1862 the regiment was attached to the 3rd Division and then the 2nd Division of the Army of the Mississippi. In 1863 the regiment formed a part of the 16th, then the 17th Corps of the Army of the Tennessee. For the remaining years of the War, the regiment was attached to the 15th Army Corps. At the time of the Vicksburg Campaign, John Mason Loomis was in command of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division of the 16th Corps, consisting of the 26th Illinois, 90th Illinois, 12th Indiana, and the 100th Indiana. The 16th Corps was commanded by Major General William Tecumseh Sherman from Vicksburg to Jackson.
