Wagner was instrumental in the planning of the public funeral held to honor Octavius Catto. Catto's body laid in state at the City Armory at Broad and Race Streets on October 16, 1871. Wagner and Catto had become friends as they both worked on the recruitment and training of black troops. It was he, who encouraged Catto to join the Pennsylvania National Guard. General Wagner, an abolitionist and ardent Republican, served as the commander of Camp William Penn. The General Louis Wagner public school in the Oak Lane section of Philadelphia was named to honor him.

A founder of the Republican Party, Kelley gained national attention when he gave a speech against expanding slavery into the territories. He was considered to be a man of strict principles, who advocated for the recruitment of black troops in the Civil War and for extending the franchise to them afterwards. Kelley served on the Union League Committee supporting the raising of African American troops and establishment of Camp William Penn. Along with Thaddeus Stevens, Kelley use his political leverage to helped Catto end public transit segregation and achieve Pennsylvania's ratify the 14th and 15th Amendments. Kelley also introduced...

Arguably the most well-known 19th century anti-slavery and equal rights activist, Douglass spent considerable time in Philadelphia and was well connected in the African American community, as well as among white Republicans and the Union League. Douglass work with Philadelphians on black troop recruitment and his name appears on the "Men of Color of Philadelphia" recruitment poster. As a leader in the National Equal Rights League, Douglass worked with Catto to extend voting and citizenship rights to black men. Douglass was among the black leaders recognized by the Union League for their success in 1869. A Pennsylvania historical marker...

The Civil War was a defining moment for many in Philadelphia. It was the War that changed Boker from a Democrat to an ardent Republican, embracing the party's principals that led to the passage of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. Boker's name is closely interwoven with the rehabilitation of the Republican Party in Philadelphia. When the Union League of Philadelphia was founded in 1862, Boker was the leading spirit and it was through his efforts that both sentiments and support towards the Union cause prevailed in Philadelphia. His efforts forged opportunities for Catto and other leading African American...

McMichael, a former Civil War officer, was a founding member of the Union League of Philadelphia and the League's 4th president. After the Civil war, McMichael was elected the first Republican Mayor of Philadelphia, serving from 1866 through 1869. At the Union League, McMichael presented Catto, Robert Purvis, Frederick Douglass, Robert Forten and others with a banner honoring their work in the passage of the 15th Amendment in Pennsylvania. The Morton McMichael Elementary School in Philadelphia was named for him.