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 removed 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, Missouri, September 17, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Smith, who
was born in Clay County, Missouri, September 17, 1828, a daughter of Anderson
Smith. They have had 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 Blucford, 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 has been identified with the
interests of Decatur Township. While living in Missouri he brought 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 this
farm have been done by himself, and his building improvements are noticeably
good. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a Mason of twenty years' standing, and
is a member of Decatur Lodge, No. 109, of Decatur."
(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)