Biography - Alpheus Jordan
ALPHEUS C. JORDAN. Harvel Township, Montgomery County, is favorably located in the midst of a wonderfully fertile tract, that yields a rich return for the attention given it by industrious farmers. A drive through this township will show that all of its inhabitants are well-to-do, if not wealthy. Our subject is one of the fortunate possessors of a fine farm located in this section, his farm being on section 6, and it is conspicuous for the improvements that are found upon it.
Mr. Jordan is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and was born January 10, 1841, a sort of William and Catherine (Rummel) Jordan. The former was a native of the Quaker State and the latter came from Maryland. In the fall of 1844, our subject's parents emigrated to Greene County, Ill., from Ohio. The country was comparatively wild at that time and the advantages were very few. There was a large family of children to be reared and educated, who, at the same time, had to contribute their quota to the common family support. Of these but five are living at the present time. The children were: William F., deceased; Mrs. Angelica Robley, a widow; Cyrus, a resident of Montgomery County; Lewis W., also of Montgomery; Catherine E., who is the widow of H. A. Collier, a resident of Parsons, Kan.; and our subject.
In 1853, Alpheus Jordan moved to Macoupin County in company with his parents, and in 1854 they removed to Montgomery County and settled in Harvel Township, on section 8, and were the first settlers there. The nearest dwelling to them was four miles distant. Their home was made on the unbroken prairie, and one of the brothers of our subject turned the first furrow on the farm. Alpheus was then but fourteen years old, though his training before that time had been amid pioneer scenes, and as the years were passed he was made to feel the responsibility of a pioneer's life, and to know that upon him as well as others rested the making of the country. His school days were passed in the district schools of the vicinity and his advantages were limited. Perhaps his war experience gave him as much of a stimulus as any tiling else for a more extended knowledge.
Mr. Jordan enlisted in Company D, of the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, in August of 1861, and with his regiment was detailed to duty in the army of the Southwest. He was a participant in the battles of Fredericktown, Mo., and Champion Hills and was at the siege of Vicksburg. In the last-named fight he was twice slightly wounded. He also fought in minor engagements, and after this honorable service was discharged, August 26, 1864.
After leaving the army our subject returned to Montgomery County. He felt that the making of his domestic life was before him, and with this end in view besought Miss Marcia C. Creswell to become his wife, and they were married August 6, 1874. The lady is a native of the Prairie State. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan are the parents of eight children, whose names are, Alpheus C., Jr., Robert P., Ethel D., Alice C., Frederick, Blanche F., Grace and Lula Inne. They are a small community in themselves and their difference in disposition and temperament makes a pleasing social life.
Our subject owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is all under a high state of cultivation. Politically, he pins his faith to the garment of no party, being thoroughly independent in his ideas both of government and governors. Educational matters that tend toward advancement in methods have always received his hearty endorsement when the adoption of the new offered any advantage over the old methods. Mr. Jordan was honored during the year 1879 by being elected as Supervisor of Harvel Township. During the time that he held this office, ho discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He is identified with the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 317-318.
