John Walter Jordan

JORDAN

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/12/2010 at 12:34:00

Although one of the younger representatives of the Boone county bar, the cooparative youth of John Walter Jordan seems to be no detriment, as he has already gained a position as a represntative of the legal profession that many an older lawyer might well envy. He has his B L degreee from the State University and has practiced continuously since 1907. He was born in Boone, May 24, 1883, and is still a resident of the county seat. His parents were Richard and Martha (Lynch) Jordan, both natives of New York. His grandparents on the paternal side were John and Anna (Connolly) Jordan, natives of Ireland, and on coming to the new world in the autumn of 1856, they settled in Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, where they remained for ten years. The year 1866 witnessed their arrival in Boone county, Iowa at which time they took up their abode upon a farm and there spent their remaining days. Their son, Richard F Jordan, the father of John Walter Jordan, was born in Glens Falls, New York on March 19, 1856, and in the fall of the same year was taken by his parents to Illinois.He was one of five children, the others being, Mary, Maurice, Alice and Edward C. Richard F Jordan was educated in the country schools and at the age of seventeen years entered the Iowa State College at Ames, from which he was graduated with valedictorain honors in the class of 1877. He then entered a law school at Des Moines and on June 7, 1879, was admitted to the bar. Returning to Boone, he here entered upon the practice of his chosen profession and was associated with various partners, the firm style being successively, Ramsey & Jordan, Crooks & Jordan, Jordan & Brockett, and Jordan & Goodykoontz. He also practiced alone for a time and throughout the entire period of his connection with the Boone county bar ranked high as one of the leading lawyers of his section of the state.
While a law student in Des Moines, Richard F Jordan, formed the acquaintance of Miss Martha L Lynch an their friendship ripening into love, they were married on May 23, 1882. Four children were born to them: John Walter of this reivew, Richard Frank of Chicago, and Helen and Clara at home. Mr Jordan lost his life as a result ot injuries sustained in a fire September 3, 1901. A stable on his premise burned and in an endeavor to rescue a favorite driving horse from the flames, he received injuries from which he died two days later. He was beloved by all who knew him and thus it was that his death was the occasion of deep and widespred regret. He took an active part in civic affiars at all times, doing everything in his power to promote public progress, and his efforts resulted for good along many lines. He served as a member of the school board, was city solicitor, and president of the board of trustees of the public library. He was also president of the Business Men's Association and was active in formulating its policy for the promotion of the best interests of the city. Frequently he was called upon to deliver public addresses and on such occasions he was always given the closes attention. While in national affairs he was a democrat, he cast a non-partisan vote at local elections. His fraternal relations were with the Elks, and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church. His widow survives him and makes her home in Boone, where she has an extensive circle of friends.
Reared in his native city, John Walter Jordan attended the public schools and in 1900 entered the Iowa State College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904, completing the course which gave him the Bachelor of Science degree, He next entered the Iowa State University at Iowa City, where he pursued his law course and won his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1907. In the fall of the same year he opened an office in Boone for the practice of his chosen profession. On September 1, 1913, he formed a partnership with S R Dyer ad Walter R Dyer, under the firm style of Dyer, Jordan & Dyer. His name figures in conncetion with many important litigated interests, and his ability is growing through the exercise of his powers and through is continued reading, study and investigation. He analyzes his cases most carefuly and is seldom if ever at fault in the application of a legal principle.
Mr Jordan was reared to the Catholic faith, to which he still adheres, and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks. His political support is give the democratic party.

1914 Boone County History Book