Genealogy – Page 14 – Loganalogy- Your Family Historian

My Great Grandfather

Rise and shine, family! Every once in a while, when you stare at a photo or hear a story from Grandma, you realize there’s more in your blood than just names and dates. One such story in our family is that of James Lemuel Logan — not just because of what he did, but the spirit with which he lived it.

Born in Wisconsin, Made of Grit

James Lemuel Logan came into the world on September 6, 1860, in Sparta, Wisconsin. His dad, Silas, was 27, and his mom, Sarah, was only 18. Small-town beginnings, but then life had big plans for him.

Wagon Wheels & New Frontiers

He used to tell his granddaughter, Carrie Elva Logan Porter Reade, stories about crossing the prairie in a covered wagon. That image — dusty roads, miles of open land, hopes packed into the wagon — tells you already that James grew up with adventure by his side.

His father, Silas, had moved around: from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin (when it was frontier), then back. Often by wagon. Eventually, Silas settled in places like Titusville and Greensburg in Pennsylvania, where he did some oil work and prospecting.

Work, Rails, & Iron

James didn’t stay small-town idle. He got a common school education, then, around age eighteen, he became a brakeman on the Pennsylvania Railroad. But he wasn’t satisfied being up and down the tracks in that role for long. After a few months, James moved on.

Next, he tried out being a teamster in Blairsville, then worked as a locomotive fireman. Eventually, James earned a promotion to engineer — a job he held for about eight years. That means he was the one driving those massive machines. Keeping them working. Steering where steel met steam.

In 1898, he moved to Vandergrift and worked for Apollo Iron and Steel as a locomotive engineer. Then, when a foundry moved, he moved with the opportunity and kept working with the Chilled Roll Foundry Company in its new place. Still living in Apollo. Still working with his hands and heart.

Family, Faith & Final Years

On December 22, 1882, James married Caroline Stitt, of Blairsville. Over 17 years, they had six children. Life was busy, loud, full. Some children passed, some stayed, but each one carried part of James forward.

Even as years wore on, he was active in the community: belonged to lodges like the I.O.O.F., the Knights of Malta, and was part of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He identified as an Independent politically and attended the Methodist Episcopal church. All of which suggests values — faith, connection, doing right by people.

In his later years, he was in Michigan — still along for the ride life offered. James died on April 10, 1952, in Pontiac, Michigan, at age 91.

What We Learn from Lem

Here’s what sticks with me when I think of James Lemuel Logan.

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s quietly riding across a prairie, choosing steady work, keeping family close.
Change is part of the journey: moving places, changing jobs, rising to bigger roles — James did it repeatedly, often stepping outside his comfort.
Legacy is more than blood. It’s stories told at kitchen tables, values passed down, the strength in saying “I’ll drive the engine” when perhaps simpler paths were available.

Want to dive deeper? I’m here for it. Whether it’s finding letters, photos, or more stories from Carrie (his granddaughter), each clue adds color to James Lem’s life. Because family history isn’t just about knowing who came before — it’s about seeing ourselves in them, feeling their triumphs & struggles, and finding what they left that’s still alive in us. 🌾🚂👟

Rear row left: Katie Logan Dunmire, Glenn Logan, Margaret Stitt, Lem Logan. Front row left: Ethel (Orville’s wife), Orville Logan, Caroline Stitt Logan.

The following is from the History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2 By John Newton Boucher :

“JAMES L. LOGAN. Silas Logan, father of James L. Logan, of Vandergrift, born about 1825, in Corry, Erie county, Pennsylvania, and as a young man went to Wisconsin, then situated on the frontier. He settled among the Indians, but after a shore time returned to Pennsylvania, having made both the outward and homeward trips by wagon. On his return he settled in Titusville, where he engaged in the oil business, later removing to Blairsville, where he did some oil prospecting. Subsequently, he took up his abode in Greensburg, and some time in the eighties went to Detroit, where he has since resided on a farm in the suburbs. Mr. Logan married Elizabeth Rowan, and the following are their children: James L., see forward: Henry, head bookkeeper for the American Harrow Company, of Detroit: Elsie, and Lena, both at home.

James L. Logan, son of Silas and Elizabeth (Rowan) Logan was born September 6, 1860, in Sparta, Monroe county, Wisconsin, and received a common school education. About his eighteenth year he secured a position as a brakeman of the Pennsylvania railroad, but not finding the associations congenial resigned at the end of a few months. He then went to Blairsville, where for about a year he was employed as a teamster, afterward obtaining a position as locomotive fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad. About two years and nine months later he was promoted to the position of engineer, which he held for some eight years. At the end of that time he resigned and for the three years following was variously employed. In 1898 he moved to Vandergrift, where he became locomotive engineer for the Apollo Iron and Steel Company, remaining in this position about two years and a half. He then accepted a position with the Chilled Roll Foundry Company of Apollo, and on the removal of the foundry to Vandergrift was retained, being transferred to that place. He continued, however, to live in Apollo, where he still resides (as of the date of the article).

He belongs to Mineral Point Lodge, No. 615, I. O. O. F.; Apollo Commandery, No. 365, Knights of Malta; and Allegheny Division, No. 108, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He is an Independent in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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From Johann Leopold Schwittkowski to John Paul Hennig: A Family Name’s Journey

Every family tree has a few surprise twists—hidden stories that explain how we became who we are today. One of those stories in my family starts with a young man from Prussia who carried an impossibly long last name and an unshakable sense of purpose. His name was Johann Leopold Schwittkowski… until he decided it shouldn’t be.

This is the story of how he became John Paul Hennig, and how that decision shaped every generation that followed.

A Boy from West Prussia

Johann Leopold entered the world on a chilly November day in 1865, in a place called Danziger Höhe, tucked inside West Prussia. His parents, Johann and Maria Elisabeth (née Hennig), were young and raising a bustling household. Over time, the house filled with siblings—Joseph, Anton, Paul, and several others. One little sister, Maria Elisabeth, only stayed for three months, leaving a small shadow of grief behind.

When Johann’s father died in 1883, seventeen-year-old Johann stepped up. He helped his mother keep the family together—likely working the land and caring for the younger children, already showing the grit that would carry him across an ocean.

Crossing the Atlantic

By 1891, adventure was calling. Johann, 26, and his brother Anton packed their hopes, said their goodbyes, and boarded the Belgenland in Antwerp, bound for Philadelphia. They stepped onto American soil on May 25, aiming to build new lives in Milwaukee.

Two years later, love bloomed. On October 4, 1893, Johann married Augusta Julie Reikowski—and because this family never does things halfway, Anton got married the very same day. It must have been one spectacular double wedding.

Why the Name Became Hennig

Around 1910–1911, something shifted. The family began using the surname Hennig, which had been Johann’s mother’s maiden name.

Why? According to naturalization papers from Johann’s brother Paul, the old name—Schwittkowski—sounded too Polish to people at the time. Johann was proud of his German heritage, and he wanted his family to be seen for who they were. So, he chose to honor his mother’s family name instead.

And just like that, Johann Leopold Schwittkowski became John Paul Hennig.

A Life of Hard Work

John worked as a grain elevator operator for years, providing for his growing family. When a strike and crop shortages hit in 1921, he pivoted and went to work at the Falk Corporation iron foundry.

On February 4, 1933, at 67, he passed away in Milwaukee after a cerebral hemorrhage. It was the end of his story—but the beginning of ours under a new name.

His Legacy

Sometimes family history isn’t about famous names or dramatic events.
Sometimes it’s about one man who quietly carried his family’s past across an ocean, chose a new name, and built a foundation for generations to come.

That’s who Johann—our John—was.
The man who turned Schwittkowski into Hennig, and gave us a fresh start.

Need more help? Visit Loganalogy.com Research Specialist page! I offer guidance to streamline your research, provide expert tips, and help you build a family tree that future generations will cherish. 🌳🧾🧓🏼

Emigrated to the United States of America at Age 26

25 May 1891 • Antwerp, Belgium

Arrival

Johann departed Antwerp, Belgium, with his brother Anton on the ship “Belgenland”; he arrived in Philadelphia on 25 May 1891. Ship manifest notes both are German cits, are farmers, sitting in J Forward, are carrying 2 pieces of luggage, and plan to settle in Milwaukee.

“2 pieces of luggage”. Can you imagine arriving in a foreign country with one piece of luggage each? Amazing!

Marriage Record 1893

Rev. A. J. Decker- Person Pronouncing Marriage Paul Schwitkowski- Witness Joseph Bergenthal-Witness St. Anthony Church 8th & Mitchell Streets.

Johann and Anton were married on the same day.

Augusta Julie Reikowski

Falk Corp

An unidentified Falk employee stands next to a large Steel Spur Gear. The sign in the photograph reads, “Cast Steel Spur Gear. Made by The Falk Co. Milwaukee, Wis. For Featherstone Foundry and Machine Co. of Chicago, Ills. Wt. 9340 lbs.”