My Genealogy Hound

JOHN S. JORDAN.
John S. Jordan, proprietor of the “Elmdale Fruit Farm,” is one of the substantial and representative citizens of Williamsport township, Shawnee County, his 240 acres of valuable land being situated in sections 23 and 24, township 13, range 15. Mr. Jordon was born near Hudson, Columbia County, New York, June 26, 1835, and is a son of Abram J. and Mary (Snyder) Jordan.

The parents of Mr. Jordan spent their whole lives in New York, where the father was a prosperous farmer. The family consisted of two daughters and four sons: Mrs. Caroline Henry, deceased; Mrs. Ann Palmer, deceased; John S., of this sketch; Benjamin, of Columbia County, New York; George, deceased; William A., who lives on the old homestead; and Niram P., of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. Two children were born to a second marriage.

Our subject was reared on his father’s farm and obtained his education in the schools of Columbia County. When 18 years old he went to Kendall County, Illinois, and engaged in farming there until 1873 when he removed with his family to his present farm in Shawnee County. It was then well-improved and he has continued improving until it now is one of the most valuable fruit farms of the county. He has 120 acres in apples of the best varieties and ships an immense quantity. He also carries on general farming and stock-raising and makes every branch of his work contribute a satisfactory income, all his land but 20 acres being under cultivation.

Mr. Jordan was married in 1860, in Illinois, to Helen Jennie Moore, who was born at Lisbon, Kendall County, Illinois, and is a daughter of Horace and Jane (Cody) Moore, natives of Oneida County, New York. They have four children, namely: Edith May, wife of James Stanley Banks, of Grantville, Kansas; Clyde H., of Williamsport township; Horace A., living at home; and Lulu, wife of Bert Schaffer, of Williamsport township.

Prior to settling in Kansas, Mr. Jordan had crossed the plains in the employ of the government as a teamster, and was then impressed with the agricultural possibilities of this section. Although he takes only an intelligent citizen’s interest in public affairs, he never misses an election, affiliating with the Republican party.