Madison-Clark-Bath County KyArchives News.....Andrew Jordan Reaches Century Mark, Credits Longevity To Hard Work, Eye For Pretty Girl April 1954
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ann Graham http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00023.html#0005658 and Jimlkpt2@aol.com Graham James January 8, 2009, 2:33 pm

Lexington Leader, Lexington, Kentucky April 1954
"There's no secret to long life," said Andrew Jordan who will celebrate his 
100th birthday Friday.  "I attribute it to my working hard and keeping a sharp 
eye out for a good-looking woman."  Jordan was born in Madison county April 2, 
1854.  He worked on farms and as a blacksmith in Central Kentucky before moving 
to Dayton, Ohio 30 years ago.  An open house in his honor will be held in his 
honor of a daughter Mrs. Lee Lloyd, 553 Shelby street, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
Sunday.  "Never really been sick in my life until two years ago, when I had a 
gall bladder operation," Jordan said.  "Doctors up in Dayton thought I was 
pretty near the oldest man they'd ever had for a major operation.  "But it 
didn't set me back too far.  Las year I plowed the ground and raised, my own 
garden.  Not much mind you--oh, 35 by 75 ffeet--but it produced enough carrots, 
peppers, tomatoes, bean, onions, radishes and such."  He leaned forward to 
refill his pipe and light.  "Big thing nowadays, people don't work enough.  
Forty house--pooh.  I first started working when I was 10 years old, harrowed 
some ground with a team of oxen.  Used to get up at 4 o'clock every morning so 
I could get all my own work done before I started shoeing horses, when I got a 
bit older.  "By daybreak horses would be lined up all along the fence waiting 
to get into my shop down at Ford.  I remember showing all fours on 20 horses 
one day.  "On rainy days I might fit up a batch of shoes in advance, so that 
when I was crowded I wouldn't have to change them much.  Just me and my wife; 
whe'd work the bellows."  Jordan hit his cane and laughed, "Been married three 
times and I'm looking for a companion right now , no younger'n 35, not over 
100.  Don't car for the older women."  Four of his eight children and about 12 
grand-children--"half dozen either more or less"--now live in Central 
Kentucky.  Mrs. Lloyd said there were sever stepchildren, all having chhildren 
who have now scattered throughout the country, making it difficult to keep 
track of all the grandchildren.  Jordan was one of five children all of whom 
lived into their 90's.  My brother Willet claimed was 104.  Some said older.  
We had all the births written in the Bible but the wash came and carried away 
the Bible.  I believe he was about that age," Jordan said.  "Always had a good 
breakfast.  Corn bread, buttermilk, sorghum molasses, chicken, and sassafras 
tea.  Noon dinner was the big meal--greens, turnips and cornbread.  Then night 
we'd have the usual thing.  Got to bed around 6 or 7 o'clock.  We didn't have 
movies, TV or things like that.  We worked.  And we got our fun out of 
working."  Jordan stared out the window at Wednesday's surprise snow 
flurry.  "Think that's lat for snow?  I remember, not long algo (1904) we had a 
snow the night of the 19th of May, but we went right ahead and set out tobacco 
on the 20th."  "Once when I was a boy--oh, old enough to set out bird traps 
anyway--some Union soldiers came marching by, right between the house and where 
I was setting some traps.  They stopped and like to scared me to death.  But 
they just had some lunch and then moved off.  I never did get to see any 
fighting."  Jordan relit his pipe.  "Plans for the future?  Well, Ive got the 
to get my garden out, and of course I'm keeping a keen eye piched for a pretty 
woman."

Additional Comments:
James is the great-grandson of Andrew.  Andrew Jackson Jordan married 3 times; 
1st Sarah Maggie Woosley d/o John Henry & Melvina of Madison Co.; 2nd Artennsa 
Missy Eldridge Willoughby of Bath Co., d/o William & Mary Ellen Payne d/o James 
& Eliza Cartmill/Cartmell; 3rd Birdella Reffitt Howard.  Andrew was the s/o 
Thomas & Sarah Ann "Pattie" Lanter.  His siblings were William "Willet", 
Patsey "Pattie" Bell, Sarah Elizabeth "Lizzie", John "Johnny" Dillard. Andrew's 
children were from 1st wife; Fannie L., John Henry, Raymond Isaas, Daisy J., 
Dillard, 2nd wife; Clara Elizabeth, Dorothy Marie, & Charles.  No issue from 
3rd wife.  James has film & DVD or Andrew with family members from 1948 to 
1953.  Also has family pictures.  Will share.

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