Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 517
THOMAS FREDERICK JORDAN and ARTHUR N. JORDAN

This well-known old family, whose name appears above, has been so long identified with the history of Dunlap and vicinity, that the history of one is the history of both to a great extent. For many years the family was active in agricultural circles, making its mark in that vocation, and of recent years both father and son have been prominently identified with the banking interests of Dunlap and vicinity, and in whatsoever connection the name has been known, it long ago came to be recognized as synonymous with honor and integrity.

Thomas Frederick JORDAN, president of the First National Bank of Dunlap, Harrison county, Iowa, is a native of New York state and is descended from sterling Scottish ancestry. He is the son of Thomas Frederick and Anna (JUDGE) JORDAN, the father passing from this life while the son was still quite young. The mother was a woman of much native shrewdness and great strength of character and some time after the death of her husband she bravely set out for the new world with her little family of three sons, John, James and Thomas F., in the belief that the new land would offer greater opportunities for achievement. The family first settled in central New York and remained there for a number of years, until the children had attained maturity. In 1866 Mr. JORDAN was united in marriage with Lettie E. MARTIN, a daughter of Nathan H. and Susan D. (COOK) Martin, thus uniting two excellent families. Nathan H. Martin was a native of Massachusetts, his wife coming from Rhode Island, and both came from families whose earlier members had emigrated to this country from England, and were identified with the agricultural interests of New York state. They were the parents of four children, Lyman, Lettie, Jennie M. and Ella G., deceased.

Frederick JORDAN and wife came to Iowa in 1870, locating in Harrison county on a farm situated about six miles south of Dunlap. There they remained for a number of years, rearing their family and prospering in their chosen work. It was in 1899 that the family took up residence in Dunlap. At which time Mr. JORDAN became identified with the First National Bank. Mr. JORDAN is held in high esteem by a large circle of personal and business acquaintances and is eminently entitled to the enviable regard in which he is held by all. He is a most excellent type of self-made man and may well stand as an incentive and example to ambitious young men. He started out in life to succeed and brought to his undertaking the most worthy traits of manly character with the result that today he is known far and wide as a man who stands four-square to every wind that blows.

Mr. JORDAN's fraternal affiliation is held with the Knights of Pythias and his religious fellowship is with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a consistent member for a number of years. Politically, he is aligned with the Republican party and while never having been a seeker after office, is one of that worthy class of men who are anxious to see the right man fill the right place. Mr. JORDAN is the father of two children, the elder of whom is his daughter, Gertrude, wife of William Hughes Davis, and the younger, his son Arthur N., who is associated with him in his banking business, a sketch of whose career follows:

Arthur N. JORDAN, cashier of the First National Bank of Dunlap, was born on September 16, 1873, on the family homestead in Douglas township, about six miles south of Dunlap. When a youth he attended the township schools of his home district and when he had completed his studies there, he was sent to Dennison, Iowa, where he took a course in business training. After returning to his home, he became associated with his father in the capacity of assistant cashier of the First National Bank, filling that position for three years, at the end of which time he was elected to the office of cashier, in which capacity he is serving at the present time.

Arthur N. JORDAN chose as his wife Miss Birdie RAINE, daughter of William and Margaret (ATKINSON) Raine, with whom he was united in matrimony on February 21, 1898. The Raines are English, having come direct to this state upon emigrating from their native country. They were residents of Dennison and it was there Mr. JORDAN met his bride while attending school. Mr. and Mrs. JORDAN have one child, Elizabeth Margaret, born on December 30, 1913.

Mr. JORDAN is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Dunlap, contributing generously of his means to further the cause of the society. His fraternal affiliation he holds in the ancient order of Free-masonry, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is a Republican and, while not especially active in political circles, is keenly interested in the party's affairs.

Mr. Arthur JORDAN is in every particular a worthy son of a worthy father and both are classed in the very front rank of the leading citizens of their community. They have long been identified with the best interests of the town in every respect and are ever glad to lend their influence in the direction of all that makes for the betterment of their town and community.

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