Mortimer Dormer Leggett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mortimer Dormer Leggett
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Mortimer Dormer Leggett
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| Born | April 19, 1821 Ithaca, New York |
| Died | January 6, 1896 (aged 74) Cleveland, Ohio |
| Place of burial |
Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands held | 78th Ohio Infantry Regiment 3rd Division, XVII Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Mortimer Dormer Leggett (born April 19, 1821 – died January 6, 1896) was an important American figure. He was a lawyer, a school leader, and a professor. He also served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Early Life and Education
Mortimer Leggett was born in Ithaca, New York. When he was fifteen, his family moved to Geauga County, Ohio. There, he and his father built a farm in a wild area.
Leggett first studied medicine, then changed to law. He became a successful lawyer in Akron, Ohio. To earn more money, he also taught in public schools in Akron and Warren. He helped create the "graded-school system," which is how schools are organized today with different grades.
In 1848, Leggett became an editor for The Free School Clarion. This was a newspaper focused on education. From 1855 to 1858, he taught law at the Ohio College of Law in Poland. In 1858, he became the superintendent of schools in Zanesville, Ohio. This meant he was in charge of all the schools there.
Serving in the Civil War
When the Civil War began, Mortimer Leggett volunteered to help. He worked with his friend, Major General George B. McClellan. Leggett helped create the 78th Ohio Infantry Regiment. He became its colonel in January 1862.
He led his soldiers in important battles. These included the Battle of Fort Donelson, the Battle of Shiloh, and the Siege of Corinth.
In November 1862, he was promoted to brigadier general. He took part in the Vicksburg Campaign, where he was hurt. After he got better, Leggett led the 3rd Division of the XVII Corps. He commanded them during the Atlanta Campaign and Sherman's March to the Sea. He was made a major general in July 1864. His last military action was in the Carolinas Campaign in the spring of 1865.
Life After the War
After the war ended, Leggett went back to Zanesville. He continued his work as a lawyer. In 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant chose him to be the United States Commissioner of Patents. This meant he was in charge of all new inventions and patents for the country. He held this job until 1881.
In 1884, Leggett started a successful company. This company later became part of General Electric, a very large company today.
Leggett was also part of a group that helped build the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Cleveland. This monument honors soldiers and sailors. His face is shown on a panel inside the monument. His name is also on plaques outside the main doors.
Mortimer Leggett passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, when he was 74 years old. He was buried in Lake View Cemetery.
