COBURN, JOHN: 1825-1908.
John Coburn , son of Henry P. and Sarah Mallott Coburn, was born in Indianapolis on Oct. 27, 1825. He was educated in the public schools, at the old Marion County Seminary, and at Wabash College, from which he was graduated in 1846. After studying law, he was admitted to the bar in 1849 and began to practice in Indianapolis . For one term, 1850-51, he was a member of the Indiana State Legislature, and from 1859 to 1861 he was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
On Mar. 9, 1852, he married Miss Caroline Test of Centerville, Ind.
When the Civil War broke out, he was commissioned colonel of the 33rd Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. During his service he was for two months a prisoner in Libby Prison, and in September of 1864 he was in command of the reconnaissance force to which the city of Atlanta was surrendered. He was brevetted brigadier-general in 1865 at the close of the war.
Elected to Congress in 1866, he served four terms. He was chairman of the Military Committee and a member of other important committees. Following his period in Congress he resumed the practice of law in Indianapolis. General Coburn was a public-spirited man, long active in the promotion of improved public schools, parks and similar works in Indianapolis .
He died on Jan. 28, 1908.
Information from Sulgrove History of Indianapolis and Marion County; Representative Men of Indiana, Vol. II; and Commemorative Biographical Record of Prominent Men of Indianapolis and Ficinity.
- Life and Services of John B. Dillon (withHorace P. Biddle). Indianapolis, 1886.
