My Genealogy Hound

FRANCIS JORDAN. In the perusal of this volume the reader is doubtless impressed with the fact that it is not accident that helps a man in the world, but persistent energy and unceasing industry. The life of Francis Jordan affords an illustration of the fact that he who is shrewd to discern opportunities and quick to seize them will attain a high place in the regard of his fellow-men. A laborious, painstaking man, his has been a life of diligence, ambition, honor and success, and now as the sun of time is sinking toward the horizon of eternity, he is spending his days quietly and happily, somewhat retired from the active business cares that thronged other years. His home is in St. Joseph, where for a long time he was prominently connected with the finances of the city as an influential and successful banker.

Mr. Jordan is a native of the Island of Heligoland, in the North Sea, which is now a part of the German Empire. He was born on the 6th of February, 1814, being the son of Carson and Anna Elizabeth (Franc) Jordan. The father was a fisher and general trader, who lived on the island until his death. Francis Jordan passed his boyhood days in an uneventful manner in the land of his birth, and in his youth learned the trade of a ship-carpenter. Into that far-away island there frequently came glowing reports of the fortunes awaiting emigrants from the Old World, and Mr. Jordan in his young manhood, with the strength and ambition of youth, determined to cross the broad waters of the Atlantic and seek a home and fortune in the land beyond the seas.

When he was nineteen years old, he went to sea as ship-carpenter. The vessel on which he sailed was foundered off the coast of France, and the crew was taken to London by an American ship, and in that great city Mr. Jordan arrived penniless among strangers. He was hired to serve before the mast on a British vessel, the “Ann, of London,” until he could save enough money to buy new tools, after which he hired as ship-carpenter, and followed the sea for about five years.

Our subject came to America in 1838, starting from Liverpool. While on this journey, the vessel went ashore, but finally reached New York, where our subject followed the occupation of ship-carpenter for five years. Removing from New York to Chicago in 1844, he embarked in his chosen occupation, and for twenty years worked at ship-building, meantime building a dry dock between Van Buren and Harrison Streets, in 1852, and filling other important contracts. He built two vessels in front of the old Lake House, and also the boat “Favorite,” which is still in service. He was Marine Inspector for the district of Chicago. In 1864 he came to St. Joseph and, purchasing a mill, operated it for a number of years. In connection with Henry M. Zekind, in August, 1882, he organized the Union Banking Company, of which he was chosen President, and continued to fill that honored position until his retirement from business in March, 1893. However, he still retains his banking interests, and is one of the influential financiers of St. Joseph.

The marriage of Mr. Jordan occurred May 21, 1840, in New York City, and united him with Miss Anna A. Lemon, the daughter of Peter and Lydia (Asten) Lemon. Eight children were born of the union, of whom Frank, Charles, Alfred and a daughter unnamed are deceased. James is a resident of Chicago; Lydia is the wife of Capt. John H. Lee, a well-known real-estate man residing in Benton Harbor; Orville has been Cashier of the Union Banking Company of St. Joseph since its organization; and George Ira completes the family. In politics, Mr. Jordan was originally a Whig, and then a Republican, but now votes independently. He is in sympathy with the Prohibitionists, and believes in commercial freedom. Although he commenced in business with no means, he has accumulated a comfortable property, and is now the owner of a number of lots in St. Joseph, including a handsome residence on one of its principal streets, as well as real estate in Chicago.

In reviewing the life and career of Mr. Jordan, we find a man whose every business act has been guided by the strictest integrity of character, and it is said of him that his word has always been considered as good as his bond. He is a man endowed with strong common-sense, and takes a practical view of the affairs of life, being clear-headed, and now at the ripe age of seventy-nine he talks with great logic and fluency upon subjects of social, business and national interest. He is a frequent speaker in the church, and his sermons and political speeches have always been characterized by logical reasoning, as well as being pleasing and eloquent in their delivery.

Mr. Jordan and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been identified since 1842. For many years he has filled the positions of Trustee and Class-leader in the church, and is one of the most generous contributors to its support.