He served as a Union Army cavalry officer in the American Civil War, and received an honorary brevet to brigadier general.

Oscar Hugh La Grange was born on April 3, 1837, in Fulton, Oswego County, New York.

In 1860, he helped free abolitionist Sherman Booth from a Milwaukee jail and was on the run for several weeks hiding from law enforcement.

[2] After the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, La Grange joined the Army and was assigned to the 4th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.

Returning to action, La Grange and his brigade played a vital role in the Battle of West Point.