Chief Frank Logan, Tahdadaho

Onondaga/Wolf Clan
Tahdadaho [Tah-too-ta-hoo (entangled)], Onondaga Principle Chief
Chief of the Six Nations

• Son of Charles and Eliza (Webster) Logan
• Married Nancy Bigfire
• Their children: Edward, Samuel, Hattie, Ellen Jesse and Emma Logan
• Lacrosse stick maker

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Onondaga Nation

"Perhaps the best known organization among the Indians is the Onondaga Indian Band, which was formed in 1862, and which has taken a prominent part in many gatherings throughout Central New York, and especially in Syracuse, including the memorable Centennial celebration in June, 1894. Albert Cusick, the present secretary, has been continuously a member of the band, being for a time its leader. The Onondagas also have a sportsmen's club, which has materially aided in preserving the game and fish on their Reservation.

Among the leading Indian farmers are Daniel La Forte, Jacob A. and Simon Scanandoah, Jaris Pierce, Orris Farmer, Charles Green, Wilson Johnson, Isaac Powless, Wilson Reuben, Joshua Pierce, Mrs. Avis Hill, Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, Josiah Jacobs, Elizabeth Scanandoah, John Loft, Mrs. Holly Hill and son Holly, jr., Thomas John, Baptiste and Eddy Thomas, John Green, Abram Printup, Hiram and Joshua Jones, David Jacobs, Sidney Isaacs, Lewis Thomas, Moses Smith, Frank Logan, Augustus Brown, Geo. Venevera, Melissa Peckman, Mrs. Emily Hill, Peter Elm, Lewis Cook, Albert Cusick. Of these Wilson Reuben, Daniel La Forte, and Orris Farmer are among the wealthiest and most prosperous men on the Reservation. The former "inherited" the farm of his "Aunt Cynthia," who was a shrewd political manager and financier, and who died at the age of ninety years. About 2,525 acres of land on the Reservation are cultivated.

Every person belonging to the nation has two names, one by which he or she is commonly known, the other representing their Indian nativity. Besides these the chiefs and officers of the tribe have a third, which designates their rank or official position. The names of the Onondaga principal chiefs are Tah-too-ta-hoo (entangled), Ho-ne-sa-ha (the best soil uppermost), De-hat-ka-tons (looking all over ), O-ya-ta-je-wak (bitter in the throat), Ak-we-ke-yat (end of the water), Te-hah-yut-kwa-ye (red on the wing), Ho-no-we-eh-to (he has disappeared), Ga-wen-ne-sen-ton (her voice scattered), Ha-he-ho (spilling now and then), Ho-neo-nea-ne (something was made for him and laid down before him), Sah-de-gwa-se (he is bruised), Sa-ko-ke-he (he may see them), Hoo-sah-ha-ho (wearing a weapon in his belt), Ska-nah-wah-ti (over the water), and Te-ka-ha-hoonk (he looks both ways)--fifteen in all. These principal chiefs have or may have each a warrior chief, whose duty is to obey his superior in all matters of government. A principal chief may call a council, and can order his subordinate to notify all the other chiefs for this purpose. He accedes to his office by election, has a seat in the Grand Council of the Iroquois, and can not be removed. At his death the council fire is extinguished, and business is suspended until after condolement. The ceremony of condolence consists of lamentations, chanting, speech-making, and a feast. "Until the new chief is raised the horns of his predecessor are said to rest on his grave." The right of inheritance is through the mother; her children can claim only the privileges afforded by the nation to which she belonged.

Thomas Webster, the Onondaga keeper of the wampum, gives the tradition thus: 'There is a tree set in the ground, and it touches the heavens. Under that tree sits this Wampum. It sits on a log. Coals of fire (council fire) is unquenchable, and the Six Nations are at the council fire held by the tribe. Tah-too-ta-hoo, a member of the Bear clan, is the great chief here. He has a descendant in our tribe to-day. His name is Frank Logan. One of the uses of the wampum is for a symbol in the election of officers. The wampum bearer keeps the treaties of the nation.' Frank Logan belongs to the Eel clan and is a Cherokee descendant. Thomas Webster is of the Snipe clan; he is a consistent, thorough pagan, and interpreter to the Onondagas, who retain the custody of the wampums of the Five Nations. There are eleven of these historic wampums, each fraught with traditional story of persons and events.

The present head chief or "king" of the Six Nations is Frank Logan, of the Wolf clan, who was born in 1857. The Onondaga nation is governed by twenty-seven chiefs, all but two of whom belong to the Pagan party. The ruling or principal chiefs, fifteen in number, are chosen by the females of the families represented.

The present chiefs of the Onondagas are Frank Logan, Thomas Webster, John Green, Asa Wheelbarrow, Charles Green, William Hill, John Hill, Peter George, John R. Farmer, James Thomas, George Venevera, William Lyon, Billings Webster, Daniel La Forte, George Crow, Baptist Thomas, Charles Lyon, Andrew Gibson, Wilson Reuben, Jacob Scanandoah, George Lyon, Levi Webster, Hewlett Jacobs, Jacob Bigbear, John Thomas, Enoch Scanandoah, and Abbott Jones. The last two are not Pagans. https://sites.rootsweb.com/~nyononda/ONT/HISTORYBR.HTM

• United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSRX-9FN : Fri Oct 06 07:42:20 UTC 2023), Entry for Frank Logan and Nancy Logan, 1900.
• https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/livpub01/i...