From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, not currently in print.
Thomas Logan Ledbetter and Lois Almedia had 2 sons born to them in Dallas County, Texas: 1) Arthur Leonard born November 9, 1859, died January 14, 1922 in Dallas County, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; married March 11, 1894 in Dallas County, Texas, to Perdita Myers, born March 1, 1873 in Dallas County, Texas, died February 14, 1939 in Dallas, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. They were the parents of 2 sons and 3 daughters: Hubert Stanley, Gordon, Lois Elizabeth, Ethel, and Elfleda Josephine. 2) Lois Davis born August 21, 1861, died September 17, 1938 in Dallas, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; married September 22, 1889 in Dallas County, Texas, Mary Jane Jackson, daughter of James William and Elizabeth Dryden Jackson born February 28, 1872 in Dallas County, died February 14, 1936 in Dallas, Texas, buried in Oak Cliff Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. They were the parents of 3 sons and 7 daughters: Almeda Charles, Anna Elizabeth, Elmer Bodine, Jerry Jackson, Alma May, Leonard Burr, Lena Ruth, Lora Davis, Willey Marie, and Clara Etta.
Lois Almedia died August 23, 1861, two days after giving birth to Lois Davis, and is buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. Thomas Logan, only 24 years old, was now a widower with five young children to care for. His step-mother, Elizabeth Ogle Ledbetter, who also had five young children of her own, tried to help out, but it was just too much for her. However, when Dr. Randal, Thomas Logan’s father-in-law, learned of his daughter’s death and the likelihood that his five grandchildren would not be adequately cared for, he came to Dallas and took them to his home in Smith County to live with him.
On March 22, 1862, at Dallas, Texas, Thomas Logan Ledbetter joined Company K, 19th Confederate Texas Cavalry Regiment. During a skirmish near Jackson, Missouri, on April 27, 1863 he was shot in the right arm and taken prisoner. He, however, succeeded in making his escape on June 9, 1863. His wound, which was about two inches below the shoulder, so damaged his arm that on January 11, 1864 the post surgeon determined that he was not suited for field service and recommended that he be detailed in the Commissary Department. On April 10, 1864, he was assigned to the Commissary Department in Dallas, Texas, where he served for the remainder of the war.
Since he was now back in Dallas County he felt that he would be able to take care of his two sons. So in May, 1864 he went over to his father-in-law’s home in Smith County and brought Arthur Leonard and Lois Davis back to Dallas, leaving the three stepchildren to live with Dr. Randal.
On June 9, 1864 in Dallas County, Texas, Thomas Logan married his second wife, Nancy Adalin Preston. This was an unsuccessful marriage resulting in their “separation” on June 12, 1869. They had no children.
After the war, Thomas Logan continued farming. He also went on several cattle drives on the Chisholm Trail to Kansas and lived in Kansas from 1869 to 1873. Returning to Dallas County, he and his two sons worked as hired hands on his brother’s farm and pursued a somewhat profitable sideline business of selling fruit trees throughout North Texas.
Thomas Logan, height 5′ 10″ with blue eyes and light hair, died March 1, 1876 in Dallas County, Texas, and is buried in the Five Mile Cemetery in the 3800 block of West Kiest Blvd., Dallas, Texas.
By Tom Jones, Dallas
