Jim Logan
Death certificate: George B. McClellan Chorpenning/Chorpening, 1861-1919; Cora Chorpenning Porter tombstone
A Chorpenning / Chorpening descendant wondered if we have a copy of George B. McClellan Chorpenning’s death certificate. Yes, we do (below).
Cora Belle Logan, daughter of Reuben Logan and Anna Guthrie (Maxwell) Logan, was born 13 December 1871 in Smothersville, Franklin County, Illinois. She married George B. McClellan Chorpenning in 1889 in Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois. George Chorpenning’s father, William H. Chorpenning, died 3 June 1864 of wounds received in battle with Co. F, 11th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. George’s namesake, George B. McClellan, was the commanding general of the Army of the Potomac and, in 1864, the Democratic candidate for President of the U.S. running against Abraham Lincoln.
After George B. McClellan Chorpenning’s death, Cora married Tom Porter in 1924 in Washington, Washington County, Iowa. Cora Belle Logan Chorpenning Porter died 27 August 1937 in Washington, Iowa.
(Note that the stamp spells “Genealogical” incorrectly.)
George B. McClellan Chorpenning is buried at Oak Grove Presbyterian Cemetery in Pilot Knob Township, Washington County, Illinois. There is no longer a tombstone extant, although one was once there. Cora Chorpenning Porter is buried at Elm Grove Cemetery, Washington, Washington County, Iowa.
Photograph taken by cousin Jim Logan for the Iowa Gravestone Photo Project. Used with permission from both.
Photograph: Benjamin Gaffney Logan, Etta Ann Wells Logan, and Marion Vesco Logan, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 1902
Benjamin Gaffney Logan, son of Leonidas Marion Logan and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Sarah Herndon Logan, was born 17 January 1877 in Cleveland County, North Carolina. Ben Logan was one of 5 sons of L.M. and Lizzie Herndon Logan. Etta Ann Wells, daughter of Alexander Vesco “Dan” Wells and Lucy Ann Blalock Wells, was born 22 April 1881 in Cleveland County, NC. Marion Vesco Logan was born 2 May 1902.
Copy furnished by Betty Logan
Drury Logan, Cherokee County, Kansas: Application for citizenship in the Cherokee Nation, Dawes Commission, 1896
Several members of our Logan family claimed Cherokee citizenship “by blood” through their descent from Zachariah Logan, son of Joseph Logan and Anna “Annie” Bias Logan. The commission set up to make these eligibility determinations was the Dawes Commission.
All of our Logan applicants, including Drury Logan, were denied membership in the Cherokee Nation by the Dawes Commission. It should be noted that, before DNA analysis and more exacting genealogical research standards, people often were said to have “Indian blood” if they had so-called Native American features, e.g. high cheekbones, dark hair, and dark skin. Sometimes these clues led to tribal ancestry; more often, they did not. Many people from many ethnicities have these features in common. A primary Logan example is General John A. Logan (not our relation) who was often said to have “Indian features.” We know when his ancestors arrived in this country and there was no chance, in that interlude, for there to have been Native American ancestry.
While we would be proud to claim Cherokee ancestry, DNA and the “paper trail” don’t lead us down that genealogical path. Nevertheless, these documents are interesting for their historical and genealogical value. Note Drury Logan’s children (second document below).
The following page lists Drury Logan, his age, his children, and their ages. His spouse, Addie Russell Logan, isn’t listed because she was neither claiming nor eligible for membership in the Cherokee Nation. Drury Logan’s children are: Melvin Logan, 14; Calvin Logan, 12; Harmon Logan, 10; Jim Logan, 7; Joe Logan, 5; and twins Ray and Roy Logan, 1.
Washington County, Iowa, Genealogical Society welcomes “Logan Connections”
Our thanks to Jim Logan and the Washington County, Iowa, Genealogical Society. Jim donated Logan Connections to the hardworking genies at their latest work session at the Washington, Iowa, Public Library — which has an outstanding genealogical collection. Thanks, Jim, and Washington County Genealogical Society!
Washington County, Iowa, genealogical society members with Logan Connections books donated by Jim Logan.
Easter Postcard, 1912, Verdi, Iowa
Verdi, Washington County, Iowa: “Best Easter Wishes,” April 8, 1912 — Contributed by Jim Logan, Washington, Iowa
Verdi, Washington County, Iowa: “Best Easter Wishes,” April 8, 1912
Back of card
These folks already have donated “Logan Connections”
It’s wonderful to have people already donating copies of Logan Connections to libraries, genealogical societies, and historical societies: the proverbial “gift that keeps on giving.” Thank you so much!
Betty Logan has donated a copy to the Broad River Genealogical Society in Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina. If you’re interested in donating books in North Carolina, here are some other possibilities:
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County
- Cleveland County Memorial Library, Shelby, Cleveland County
- Genealogical Society of Old Tryon County, Forest City, Rutherford County
- Mauney Memorial Library, Kings Mountain, Cherokee County
- Norris Public Library, Rutherfordton, Rutherford County
- Old Mecklenburg Genealogical Society, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County
Jim Logan has donated a copy to the Washington Public Library in Washington, Washington County, Iowa. Other possibilities in Iowa include:
- Iowa State Historical Society, Des Moines, Polk County
- Iowa State Historical Society, Iowa City, Johnson County
- Mellinger Memorial Library, Morning Sun, Louisa County
Lance Logan has donated two copies of Logan Connections: the first to the Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, and the second to the Southeast Kansas Genealogical Society in Columbus, Cherokee County, Kansas. Other Kansas possibilities include:
- Arkansas City Public Library, Arkansas City, Cowley County
- Cowley County Genealogical Library, Arkansas City, Cowley County
- Crawford County Genealogical Society, Pittsburg, Crawford County
- Girard Public Library, Girard, Crawford County
- Winfield Public Library, Winfield, Cowley County
Mike Jones has donated a copy to the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Library, Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin.
Please consider donating additional copies of Logan Connections — and please let us know so we can post your generous gift and prevent duplication. In the near future, we’ll be providing a detailed list of potential libraries, historical, and genealogical sites in these and other states. We’re happy to mail the books upon receipt of your payment and will share your name as the donor. Thank you.
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