Shasta Co., CA Biographies
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ALFRED JEFFERSON LOGAN
1855 --1928
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MARTHA JANE POWERS
1857 --1889
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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
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b. 1878
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m. Henry Rodenbucker
m. Mr Heron |
Marian Rae
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b. 1879
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d. 1933
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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 |
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| 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