Shasta County Biographies

ALFRED JEFFERSON LOGAN 

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


ALFRED JEFFERSON LOGAN                    MARTHA JANE POWERS LOGAN
1855 --1928                                                    1857 --1889
 
            Alfred Jefferson Logan, son of Pleasant Dixon and Cynthia Ann 
Pettit, born  September 22, 1855 in Indian Territory of Arkansas. His parents 
brought him to Northern California --Shasta, Butte, and Tehama Counties. PD and 
a friend built a school for his boys and neighbors' children. On Logan property, 
it was Logan School -- later Oat Creek, then Coyote Creek School. The first 
teacher they hired was Annie Brown, daughter of John Brown, the abolitionist.
 
            Like most pioneers of that period he learned to do almost everything 
necessary for everyday life -- shoeing horses and people, building houses, 
caring for animals, fields and orchards. He went into his father's business of 
harness-making and saddlery, and continued the business while his father went on 
to other ventures. When his father wanted to manufacture
his traction engine, Alfred bought all the land from Front Street to the 
underpass and the family built a foundry on lots 4, 5 and 6 of Block C in 
Cottonwood.
 
            Martha Jane Powers was born December 12, l857. She was the daughter 
of Peter Powers, a self-educated former slave who had operated a ferry on the 
Missouri River for many years and then become an outstanding teacher in the 
Chico School District. Alfred and Martha were married in her father's home in 
Chico March 4, 1877. The couple had six children:
 
Ruth Irene; b. 1878; m. Henry Rodenbucker; m. Mr Heron

Marian Rae; b. 1879; d. 1933; m. Gideon Ray Vessel; m. Jay Johnson

Clara Edna; b. Jan. 20, 1882; d. Sept 29, 1909; m. Hyder Davie 

George B.; b. Sept 9. 1883; d. Sept 29, 1935

Eleanora; b. July 6, 1887; d. Aug 24, 1933; m. Charles Harris

The other child died at three months in January. 1889.
 
The couple had been married almost twelve years when Martha Jane died May 7, 
1889. Alfred never remarried; he and his two bachelor brothers, PD Jr and David 
Lattimer (Uncle Latty) cared for and supported George and the girls while they 
were maturing ..loaning them to female family members for some of their 
learning. Alfred lived in the family home on Cow Creek until his death while 
visiting his daughter in Red Bluff,  Feb. 13, 1928. 
 
Source:  Shasta Historical Society - May 2000