Ledbetter, Benjamin Alfred

Submitted by Mike Miller

Ledbetter, Benjamin Alfred, M. D., one of the prominent physicians of New Orleans, was born in Claiborne parish, La., Sept. 15, 1868, and is the son of Benjamin Thomas and Mary (Vanderhurst) Ledbetter. The father, a prominent citizen of Claiborne parish, was born in 1833, at Rome, Ga., and with his father, the grandfather of Benjamin Alfred, moved to Scott county, Miss., while yet a boy. He was educated at the University of Virginia, from which he graduated with the degree of A. B. He served during the 4 years of the Civil war, enlisting at the outbreak in 1861 under Gen. Forest, and became in succession lieutenant and captain. After the war he was one of the pioneers of Claiborne parish. He built the public school at Summerfield, which is yet standing; he also erected the Baptist church there. Although active in local and state politics, he refused public office until after Cleveland's election, when he was appointed United States surveyor general, the second in importance in the government service, and for which he was notably qualifled. He had served only a few months, however, when he died in New Orleans, in 1887. Although on many occasions asked to run for Congress, he had invariably refused, declining in favor of his friends. He was a warm friend of Sen. Randall Lee Gibson. In addition to being a pioneer in the field of education in his community, he served as general superintendent of schools for his parish. He not only built schools out of his personal funds, but he even paid the teachers out of his own pocket. His wife, who is still living at Homer, La., is a native of Scott county, Miss., born in 1834. The issue of this union was 8 children, namely: Mrs. Emma Talbot of Bernice, La.; W. M., one of the pioneer planters of North Louisiana; Mrs. Alma Kerlin, of Homer, La.; Mrs. Rhoda Knighton, of Homer, La.; Benjamin A., Mrs. Theresa Martin, of Homer, La.; Douglas S., of Goldendale, Wash.; and Black, partner of Douglas S. Benjamin A. Ledbetter was educated in the schools of North Louisiana, in Keatchie, in De Soto parish, and Tulane university, graduating from the latter named school with the degree of M. D., in 1891. He was employed, previous to his graduation, as draughtsman in the office of the United States surveyor general, holding this position for 8 years, under both democratic and republican administrations. Like his father, he has always been a democrat. After graduation, he immediately took up the practice of medicine at New Orleans, where he has been located ever since. His marriage to Amie Seawell, of New Orleans, the daughter of B. W. and Victoria (Isaacson) Seawell, was celebrated Oct. 29, 1897. Mrs. Ledbetter was well-known is a talented vocalist, and is a woman of rare accomplishments and agreeable personality. Five children were born to them: Karl, Gretchen, Ben and Walter (twins), and Victor. B. W. Seawell was the confidential and general manager of the E. J. Hart & Co. wholesale drug house. Mrs. Seawell's brother, Harry, has been captain of Rex, and held an important position in the local sub-treasury. Alfred Isaacson, another of Mrs. Seawell's brothers, held the position of comptroller of New Orleans under the commission government first adopted many years ago. Dr. Ledbetter has been a member of the Orleans parish medical society since his graduation at Tulane and has been its president twice. This society, during his membership, erected, a new $30,000 home. In 1912 he was president of the Louisiana State Medical society, of which also he has been a member since graduation, and he also belongs to the American and Southern medical associations. Gov. Sanders appointed him a member of the Louisiana state board of health, a position he now holds under Gov. Hall.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 249-250. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.