ALFRED JEFFERSON LOGAN
1855 --1928
MARTHA JANE POWERS
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

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