Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Jordan, Jacob W. 1849 - 1910
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 3, 2013, 7:41 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

JACOB W. JORDAN.

The honorable life record of Jacob W. Jordan makes his example one well worthy
of emulation. His memory is cherished by many who knew him and most of all by
those who knew him best, for they learned to know his many excellent traits of
character and to respect him for the honorable motives which guided his life. He
was born in Lancaster, Keokuk county, Iowa, April 9, 1849, and died 011 the 31st
of May, 1910. For forty years he had been identified with the business circles
of Ottumwa, being associated with his father, the late W. A. Jordan, and his
brothers in the well known firm of W. A. Jordan & Sons. The father, W. A.
Jordan, was a native of Columbus, Ohio, born on the 20th of August, 1820, and,
moving westward, he became one of the pioneer settlers of Iowa. His parents were
in moderate circumstances, but were of eminent probity, and under the parental
roof the son learned lessons of industry and integrity that proved of untold
value to him in later life. His educational training was that of the common
schools and when eighteen years of age he started out in the business world on
his own account, making his way to Keokuk, Iowa, when that city was but a small
village. He started in business as a dealer in dry goods and groceries with but
a small capital at his command. His careful and systematic business habits, his
thrifty disposition and his unfaltering diligence soon brought their reward. He
prospered in his undertaking and from time to time increased his stock in order
to meet the growing demands of his trade. On the 21st of June, 1846, he entered
upon a happy home life through his marriage to Miss Maria McGrew, who was born
July 11, 1828, in Vigo county, Indiana. He died May 26, 1873, in the fifty-third
year of his age. His wife led a long and useful life and was much interested in
the progress of her home city until her death, May 1, 1910. For some years
following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Jordan remained residents of Keokuk
county and in 1868 removed to Ottumwa, where he embarked in business, opening
one of the pioneer general mercantile stores of this city. He brought with him
enough capital to carry forward his enterprise and his business was one of
constantly growing volume and importance. At the time of his death he owned
three retail stores, dry-goods, clothing and shoes. His interests, too, were of
a character that contributed to the general upbuilding as well as the individual
success, and he was widely recognized as one of the leading and honored
merchants of his section of the state. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. W. A.
Jordan were twelve children: W. B., whose home is in Minneapolis, Minnesota;
Jacob W., deceased; Albert, also deceased; J. C., who is living in Ottumwa;
Charles, who has passed away; Mrs. Ira Myers; Mrs. G. F. Hall and Mrs. B. W.
Ladd, twins, the former living in Ottumwa and the latter in Kansas City,
Missouri; William G., a resident of Minneapolis; and Mrs. Claude Myers, Mrs. M.
B. Hutchison, and Mrs. E. A Work, all of Ottumwa.

Jacob W. Jordan was but a boy when his parents removed to Eddyville, where they
remained for ten months before moving to Ottumwa. He attended school for two
years at Fairfield and Mount Pleasant. He afterward received an appointment to
the Annapolis Naval Academy at Maryland. Following his school days he spent one
year in preparation for the naval service of his country, but owing to failing
eyesight was forced to give up his cherished plans. He then went into business
with his father and brothers, who at that time were conducting a boot and shoe
store in the block between Court and Market streets in Ottumwa. Later the firm
enlarged the scope of their activities, adding dry goods, clothing and other
lines of merchandise. It was as a merchant that Jacob W. Jordan was best known
to Ottumwa's citizens. He not only conducted interests of large extent and
importance but also enjoyed an unassailable reputation for commercial integrity
and honor. He would rather suffer personal loss than cause another to lose by a
method that he might pursue. He was serving his first term as a member of the
board of supervisors when death suddenly called him and had made a record for
marked ability and fidelity.

On the 12th of August, 1896, Mr. Jordan was united in marriage to Miss Laura
Hennegin, who was born in Jackson county, Missouri, and is a daughter of Captain
P. and Mary E. (Ross) Hennegin. She taught for ten years in the public schools
of the city, being principal of the Lincoln school prior to her marriage. She is
a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the P. E. O.
sisterhood. Mr. Jordan was a member of the Masonic order and had attained to the
Knight Templar degree. In their family are two sons: Jacob Wimer and John Clay
Jordan. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan were out for a pleasure ride in their automobile and
while cranking the car he ruptured a blood vessel, which caused his death on the
31st of May, 1910. He passed away in the car ere help could be summoned and his
demise was a shock to the entire community, causing the most profound regret and
sorrow. His memory is still cherished by all who knew him either through
business or social connections. His cordiality, his recognition of sterling
qualities in others and his appreciation for all that is honorable in manhood
won for him high and enduring regard. His life was one of increasing usefulness,
and he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of his
city and state.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914


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