Biography - Lewis Jordan
LEWIS W. JORDAN. The gentleman whose name is at the head of this sketch is one of the old settlers of Harvel Township, and his fine farm located on section 8 shows that he ' has given to it the constant care of years. Mr. Jordan is a native of Maryland and was there born April 28, 1833. He is a son of William and Catherine (Rummel) Jordan, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Maryland. At a very early age he, in company with his parents, migrated to Trumbull County, Ohio; that continued to be the family home for several years and then they came to Greene County, this State, making the exodus in 1843. After a residence there of one year, the family moved to Montgomery County and settled on the farm on which our subject now lives, in Harvel Township. Our subject's father, William Jordan, entered one hundred and twenty acres of land from the Government at the time of coming here, paying for it $1.25 per acre. He also had a soldier's grant of forty acres, having served in the War of 1812. At that time the country was one vast rolling prairie, unbroken for miles by the plow and having but few landmarks beside those placed by nature. The nearest dwelling was a distance of four miles. Much of the family history has already been given in the sketch of Alpheus C. Jordan, a younger brother of our subject, and for a more minute and detailed account of the same we refer the reader to it.
After completing a course at the district school, our subject was sent to the High School of Greene County. Although he received what was at that time a fair education, it would at the present time be lightly considered. However, natural ability has greatly aided our subject in covering the defects that are to be found in the old system of education.
Mr. Jordan was married on the 28th of May, 1863, Miss Mary F. Russell becoming his wife. She was a native of the Hoosier State and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Russell, now residents of Montgomery County. By this marriage he has become the father of nine children. Of these Albert W. is deceased. Following him are Thomas W., Lewis R., David D.; Florence, wife of David Bonnett; Edna, Ethel, Rebecca and Alma. Although the size of his family has required the most constant efforts in order to provide for all their daily wants, it certainly has had its charms, and home would not be home without the merry banter in which the children indulge. Our subject is the owner of one hundred and three acres of land, all of which is under a high degree of cultivation.
With few advantages other than what he has himself made, Mr. Jordan is a highly respected and honorable man. Politically the tenets of the Republican party appeal to his sense of justice and equity. He has been a close observer of the growth of this portion of the State for many years and can recall many typical scenes and business transactions.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, page 306.
