Repository: Heinz History Center
Title: Logan-Knowland Family Papers
Creator: Logan-Knowland families
Collection Number: MSS 98
Extent: 1 linear feet (2 boxes)
Date: 1781-1938
Abstract: Alexander Logan was an Irish immigrant who settled in Plum Township of Allegheny County. His descendents and in-laws worked in various occupations, including the railroad, military, and finance. The Logan-Knowland Family Papers contain personal correspondence, calling cards, church programs, last will and testaments, diplomas, and newspaper clippings related to individual family members.
Language: The material in this collection is in English.
Author: The guide to this collection was written by Gloria Hendrickson.
Sponsor: This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
Publisher: Heinz History Center
Address: 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

Alexander Logan was an Irish immigrant who came to Pennsylvania in the late 1770s. He initially lived in Westmoreland County. After marrying Elizabeth Watts in 1786, he moved to Plum Township of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He built a 263 acre estate and named it "Parnassus". Hugh Logan, the son of Alexander Logan and Elizabeth Watts, was commissioned as an officer in the Pennsylvania militia in 1814. He served as Captain of the 7th Company of the 61st regiment of the militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Hugh Logan was an active businessman in the young community and served in civic capacities including the election committee in the 1830s. Hugh Logan married Elizabeth Parry and had several children including Sarah, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Alexander.

Sarah Logan married Frederick Knowland, a railroad agent for a number of lines including: the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad Company, the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad Company, the Union and Central Pacific, and the Missouri Pacific Railroad Companies. Frederick Knowland traveled across the country for his work and often traveled between the family's primary residence in Parnassus, to his office in New York City. Sarah and Frederick Knowland had two daughters, Carolyn and Josephine. Carolyn Knowland married Frank de L. Hyde, a banker who resided in Plainfield, New Jersey. Josephine married Louis E. Laflin, an attorney who resided for a time in France, Chicago, Illinois, and in Princeton, New Jersey.

Scope and Content Notes

The Logan-Knowland Family Papers contain personal and business correspondence, financial material, genealogical material, railroad passes, and newspaper clippings. The papers pertain to Alexander and Hugh Logan, Sarah Logan and Frederick Knowland and other family members. The bulk of these papers document the lives of Hugh Logan, Frederick Knowland, Sarah Logan-Knowland, and Josephine and Louis Laflin.

There are materials related to the railroad industry, including Hugh Logan's agreement with the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company to build a railroad through the family property in 1852 and subsequent complaints in 1872. Additional railroad material includes correspondence and passes of Frederick Knowland and a letter from Josephine and Louis Laflin describing a train wreck that killed and injured numerous passengers. Hugh Logan's commission into the Pennsylvania Militia, calling cards, invitations, church programs, and a prayer book are also included.

There are several oversized components such as: last will and testaments for Hugh Logan, insurance policies for Josephine Laflin, and newspaper accounts of Alexander Logan and his family.

Conditions Governing Access

None.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Louis Laflin in 1976.

Archives accession # 1976.0309

Preferred Citation

Logan-Knowland Family Papers, 1781-1938, MSS 98, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Gloria Hendrickson on 03/08/13.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Separated Materials

To the photographic collection, one folder of photographs has been separately arranged as MSQ #98. These photographs include images of Frederick Knowland, John Logan, Sarah Logan-Knowland and other family members. 1860-1910. 2 oversized folders arranged a

Subjects

Personal Names

Logan, Alexander
Logan, Hugh
Kennedy, John McCarthy
Knowland, Frederick
Laflin, Josephine

Guide to the Logan-Knowland Family Papers 1781-1938