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From: Newark Handsomely Illustrated 1894
The Consolidated Illustrating Co.

Joseph A. Logan

The vocation of an undertaker is essentially a very delicate one, and it is only by long experience as well as natural aptitude that a man is enabled to discharge his duty to the satisfaction of those most directly concerned. One of the oldest undertaking and embalming establishments in the city of Newark, as it is also the most widely known and leading one, is that of Mr. J. A. Logan, whose office and warerooms are desirably located at No. 830 Broad Street. Forty years have elapsed since the business was inaugurated by Messrs. Tolles & Briant, and during all that long period of time the house has been ably maintained in the lead, and has won an enviable name for the enterprising manner in which it has always kept up to the modernized requirements of the times. In 1862 the firm became Lum & Briant, and in 1872 Briant & Woodruff. The latter retired in 1880, and Mr. J. A. Briant admitted as partner his son Charles, under the firm-name of Briant & Son. Five years later the junior partner died, and was replaced by Mr. J. A. Logan as Briant & Logan. Finally, in November, 1891, Mr. J. A. Briant retired from Business, full of years and honor, and Mr. J. A. Logan now conducts the establishment as sole proprietor. He is a practical undertaker and embalmer of large experience and established reputation, and is a graduate of both the Sullivan Embalming School of New York and of Clark's Embalming School of Newark, N. J. The office and warerooms are spacious, neat, and commodious, and a fine assortment is displayed of coffins, caskets, and burial-cases, shrouds, robes, and everything in the line of funeral requisites. Remains are prepared for burial at any hour in the most expeditious manner, and any number of carriages are furnished at short notice. Interment is procured in any cemetery, and funerals are conducted in first-class style, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Every detail of the undertaking profession is promptly and perfectly attended to at reasonable rates, and the record of this house in the past is of a character to commend it unreservedly to the confidence of all. Mr. Logan was born in Somerset County. He is a director and ex-president of the Protective Building and Loan Association.

From: Newark, The Metropolis of New Jersey At the Dawn of the Twentieth Century
Progress Publishing Co. 1901

Mr. Joseph A. Logan is conducting at No. 830 Broad Street, an undertaking establishment which was among the earliest successful ventures in this line in the city, its founder, Mr. Tolles, who began business in this building about 1846, was succeeded by Stephen Lum and John A. Briant, who did business as Lum & Briant. Some years afterward, when Mr. E. B. Woodruff purchased Mr. Lum's interest, the firm became Briant & Woodruff, and when Mr. Woodruff retired from the firm Mr. Briant's son, Charles, became a partner, the firm name changing to Briant and Son.

After the death of Mr. Briant's son a partnership was formed April 1, 1885, with the present proprietor under the firm name of Briant & Logan, which continued until November 1, 1891, when Mr. Logan by purchase of Mr. Briant's interest, became the sole owner.

Mr. Briant, who died October 22, 1895, at the age of 83 years, was at the time of his retirement from business the oldest active undertaker in the United States, having been in business sixty-five years.

Joseph A. Logan's business experience, prior to his forming the partnership mentioned, had been in lines widely different. Born in Somerset Co., N. J., he was reared on a farm, educated in a country school and had served a three years' apprenticeship in a flouring mill at South Branch in his home county. Coming to Newark in 1863 he had charge of the shipping of goods for a leading clothing manufacturer for half a dozen years, after which he carried on a flour and feed business. Though his early training had prepared him thoroughly for the last named business it was only when he entered on his work as an undertaker that he seemed to be fulfilling the mission for which nature designed him.

Very few people realize the difficulties or responsibilities of an undertaker's work. He must be cool and extremely careful lest he omit or make an error in a single one of the many details necessary at a funeral; and in these respects Mr. Logan has shown remarkable skill in the conducting of over 3,000 funerals, some of them being the largest ever held in this City.

The secret of his success lies in his sympathy, his tenderness, his taste and his tact. Modest and unassuming in manner, Mr. Logan's services are sought for by all classes when the sad time comes that they are needed; many of his patrons being the wealthiest families of Newark and vicinity. He has his own hearses and carriages, using none but rubber-tired vehicles. His standing is of the highest in financial and trade circles, There is probably no man in this city better known in fraternal organizations than Joseph A. Logan, he having been an Odd Fellow thirty years and a Mason eighteen years. He belongs also to the K. of P., Royal Arcanum, Heptasophs; A. O. U. W.; and Uniformed Rank K. of P.