John Coburn | |
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Congressman John Coburn
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Born |
Indianapolis, Indiana |
October 27, 1825
Died | January 28, 1908 Indianapolis, Indiana |
(aged 82)
Place of burial | Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana |
Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1861–1865 |
Rank |
Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
Commands held | 33rd Indiana Infantry |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
John Coburn (October 27, 1825 – January 28, 1908) was a United States Representative from Indiana and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Coburn was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1825 (the year the city became the new state capital) and attended the public schools there. Later, he attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, graduating in 1846. As a student, he founded the Wabash College chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, the first Greek letter fraternity on the campus and in continuous existence to today. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1849, and commenced practice in Indianapolis.
Coburn was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives in 1850. He served as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1859 to 1861, when he resigned to enter the Union Army following the outbreak of the American Civil War. He became colonel of the 33rd Indiana Infantry on September 16, 1861.
He was captured in Kentucky and spent time in Libby Prison before being exchanged. Later, Coburn and Colonel Benjamin Harrison fought side by side in several battles while under General William Tecumseh Sherman's command. During that time, Coburn and his troops were the first into Atlanta and secured the city's surrender. There is a large marker in downtown Atlanta where the city's mayor surrendered the city to Coburn. He was mustered out on September 20, 1864.