KOGER, Jordan D.

KOGER, SMITH, REGAN, CREES, STANLEY, RAGEN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/10/2014 at 18:00:11

Biography ~ Jordan D. Koger

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), p. 699:

JORDAN KOGER, residing on section 17, Decatur Township, was born in Wayne County, Kentucky, February 15, 1820, his parents, John and Esther Koger, being Kentuckians by birth. Both died in Clinton County, Kentucky, where they moved from Wayne County. Of their twelve children our subject was the eighth child. He was reared to manhood in Clinton County, remaining under the home roof until twenty-one years of age. He then began life for himself, with no capital, but with a stout heart, and a determination to succeed, going to Davis County, Missouri. He was married in DeKalb County, Misouri, September 17, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Smith, who was born in Clay County, Missouri, September 27, 1828, a daughter of Anderson Smith. They have sixteen children, of whom nine are still living - Mrs. Rebecca Regan, of Harrison County, Missouri; Benjamin, of Decatur Township; Mrs. Margaret Crees, living in Decatur Township; George Blueford (sic, should be Bluford), of Grand River Township; James T., living in the northeast part of Iowa; Mrs. Amanda Stanley, of Decatur Township, and Thomas, Susan and Elmina, living at home. One daughter, Mrs. Mary Smith, died in Harrison County, Missouri, and six children died when young. Mr. Koger was bereaved by the death of his wife, March 12, 1885, with whom he had lived happily for nearly forty-two years. she was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, Mr. Koger being a member of the same denomination. In the spring of 1843 Mr. Koger settled in what is now Gentry County, Missouri, where he bought land, living there till he came to Decatur County, Iowa, in May, 1865, since which time he had been identified with the interests of Decatur Township. While living in Missouri he bought 120 acres of land from a state of nature to a well-cultivated farm, besides which he bought and improved other property. Mr. Koger brought with him to Decatur County a capital of $3,500 and about $2,500 worth of stock, so was in a situation to make rapid progress. His landed estate now covers 748 acres, all located in Decatur Township. His home farm, which contains 474 acres is well adapted to stock-raising, being one of the best farms for that purpose in this section of the country, and is crossed by Grand River. Most of the improvements on his farm have been done by himself, and his building improvments are noticeably good. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a Mason of twenty year's standing, and is a member of Decatur Lodge, No. 109 of Decatur.

NOTE: Jordan D. Koger died on February 7, 1900, Leon IA, and was interred beside his wife, Elizabeth Ann (Smith) Koger at Oak Hill Cemetery, rural Grand River IA. Of Jordan and Elizabeth's seventeen children:
1) Rebecca Sue Esther (Koger) Regan, born 22 Sep 1844, died 13 Aug 1916
2) Mary Melissa J. Koger, born in 1846, died ca. 1855
3) Benjamin Franklin Koger, born 05 Dec 1848, Gentry Co. MO, died 07 Jun 1907
4) Margaret Emarine (Koger) Crees, born 03 Sep 1850, died 23 Jul 1905, interred Oak Hill Cemetery, rural Grand River IA
5) Fannie Jane (Koger) Ragen, born 12 Oct 1851, Gentry Co. MO, died 26 Jan 1874, interred Koger Cemetery, Worth Co. MO
6) John Anderson Koger, born 31 Aug 1853, Gentry Co. MO, died 21 Oct 1858, interred Koger Cemetery, Worth Co. MO
7) Malinda Elizabeth Koger, born 19 Feb 1855, Gentry Co. MO, died 31 Mar 1846, interred Koger Cemetery, Worth Co. MO
8) Louisa Jane Koger, born 03 Mar 1856, Gentry Co. MO, died 23 Aug 1857, probably interred Koger Cemetery, Worth Co. MO
9) Ransom Newton Koger, born 09 Mar 1857, Gentry Co. MO, died 26 Oct 1859, Decatur Co. IA
10) William Jasper Koger, born 12 Jul 1858, Gentry Co. MO, died 21 Aug 1859, interred Koger Cemetery, Worth Co. MO
11) George Bluford Koger, born 01 Feb 1859, died 21 Mar 1914, interred Koger Cemetery, Worth Co. MO
12) Amanda M. (Koger) Stanley, born in 1862
13) Thomas Leonidas Sevier "Tom" Koger, born 09 March 1864, died 20 Dec 1903, interred Decatur Cemetery, Decatur IA
14) Susan F. Koger, born 25 Feb 1868, died 15 Apr 1943
15) Michael Koger, born 11 Mar 1870, Decatur County IA, died 27 Dec 1936, interred Pankey Park Cemetery, Jackson Co. OR
16) Elmina C. Koger, born 1871
17) Elijah Koger, born ca. 1873

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014