BIOGRAPHY - JAMES JORDAN
A student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Ford county without learning of the early and close connection of the Jordan family with its agricultural progress and with various interests and events which have left their impress upon the county's development. James A. Jordan was born in 1854 in a log cabin which constituted the family residence, in the early days of their settlement here. It was in March, 1854, that the parents, Andrew and Amanda (Devore) Jordan, came to this county. The father's birth occurred in Louisville, Kentucky, in August, 1828, and he was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry. Coming to Illinois, he settled in Cass county and after living for a while in Champaign county removed to Ford county, where he made purchase of one hundred acres of land and established his home upon the frontier. The family shared in the hardships and privations incident to pioneer settlement and as the years passed bore their full share in the work of improvement.
The primitive schools of the community afforded to James A. Jordan the educational privileges which qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. He was married in 1876 to Miss Martha Barney, and although they began their domestic life in Ford county, in 1881 they removed to Kansas and spent eleven years in Montgomery county, after which they returned to Illinois. As the years passed by several children were added to the household, the eldest being Norah Adelia, now the wife of George Hendricks, of Dwight, Illinois. The others are: Rolla E., now living in Rankin; Jennie E., the widow of Charles Quirk; and Henry H. and Andrew, both at home.
The father, James A. Jordan, occupies his time and attention with the cultivation of a half section of land belonging to the father's estate, adjoining the place upon which his brother Charles A. Jordan lives. The fields are rich and productive and he annually gathers large harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. In all of his work he is practical and, moreover, his methods are honorable, commanding for him the confidence and good will of those with whom he is associated. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen, holding membership with Drummer camp, No. 235. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has supported the men and measure of the republican party at the polls, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. His many good qualities are displayed by the friendship which is uniformly accorded him by those who know him.
Extracted 16 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 605-606.
