My Genealogy Hound

Marcus De Lafayette Jordan, M. D., of Milan, Tenn., was born in Gibson County, on the 1st of November, 1834; son of William and Elizabeth (Boyd) Jordan, who were born in the Old Dominion. William Jordan came to Tennessee with his father, William Jordan, when he was but a lad, early in the present century. They located in Williamson County, near Triune, and our subject’s father came to Gibson County in 1820, locating on a farm three miles east of Milan, where he raised a very large family. He was twice married and to sisters, our subject being the son of his second wife. He died on his farm in September, 1863. He was one of the most enterprising and successful planters in west Tennessee, owning about 1,500 acres of good land and 100 negroes. He was for many years magistrate of his district, being an old line Whig in politics, and was conscientiously opposed to secession up to the date of his death. His wives came to Tennessee at an early day and were second cousins of the noted John Bell. Dr. Marcus Jordan, our subject, resided on a farm in Gibson County, until fifteen years of age when he entered Union University at Murfreesboro, Tenn., graduating from the same in 1852. He then began studying medicine at McLemoresville under Drs. Boyd and Brannock, and later entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and graduated in March, 1857. He returned home and practiced at Milan until the war, when he was appointed first assistant surgeon of the Fifth Tennessee Confederate Infantry, and served in this capacity until the battle of Stone River when he was left behind in charge of the hospital, and was held in hostage by the Federals from June until December, 1863, and served in his professional capacity as surgeon of Col. Eiffel’s regiment of cavalry, under Gen. Forrest until the close of the war. He resumed practice at Milan and has met with the best of success. In November, 1858, he married Mattie H. Hillsman, who died in 1876, leaving four children: Robert Lee, Mary E., Marcus DeLafayette and Irma. In October, 1877, the Doctor married Josephine E. Perry, of Rutherford County. In 1874 he was elected to the State Senate, and served with honor and distinction during the session of 1875. Since 1869 he has been engaged in the drug business in Milan, and is a member of the Gibson County Medical Society. He and wife belong to the Baptist Church.