Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1353:

JORDAN, ELSIE P., Mrs. - Some of the most prosperous landowners of Sangamon County are women who have inherited their property from father or husband, and being left in charge of affairs, display a creditable amount of business sense and ability in attending to them. One of these is Mrs. Elsie P. Jordan, widow of the late Marion A. Jordan, who was born in Sangamon County, near Glenarm, now her home, Jan. 30, 1853, being a daughter of Josiah Lard. The latter was born in Missouri, May 19, 1819, and was a farmer by occupation, coming to Illinois with his parents in 1836. On September 22, 1842, he married Jemima Jane Crowder, born in Hardin County, Ky., June 5, 1825, but brought to Sangamon County by her parents in 1833. There were six children in the Lard family: John J., Lydia A., Sarah L., Elsie P., George R. and Martha A. His first wife dying, Mr. Lard married, in 1855, Millie Funderburk, born in 1835.

Mrs. Jordan was educated in Ball Township, remaining at home until her marriage to Thomas H. Jackson, in Springfield, Ill., September 9, 1873. He was born in Scott County, Ill., May 10, 1853. They settled on a farm in Ball Township, and lived there until the death of Mr. Jackson, on May 11, 1882. His remains are interred in Stout Cemetery. The children born of this marriage were: Nora, born February 8, 1875, died in October 1878, and two who died in infancy, while those living are: William H., born May 30, 1878; Minnie J., born February 16, 1880, and Thomas A., born June 3, 1882, all still at home. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Jackson continued for year on the farm, then moved to Springfield where she spent two years. There she was married by Judge Matthews to Marion A. Jordan, on January 11, 1886. Moving back to the farm, they remained on it until 1888, when they came to Glenarm, where Mr. Jordan went into the grocery business, continuing until his death, January 30, 1894. He was buried in the same cemetery as her first husband. There were three children by the second marriage: Marie, born October 27, 1887, married Edward Newlin, May 8, 1905, and they live in Los Angeles, Cal.; Bessie M., born October 3, 1890, is at home as also is Orle A., born May 21, 1894. Mrs. Jordan still conducts her husband's grocery business, and owns two fine farms in Sangamon County. She is a lady of exceptional business ability, and under her able care, the grocery maintains the same standard as when Mr. Jordan was alive. At the same time she has found time to cultivate fraternal associations, belonging to the Court of Honor, District Court no. 338, and the Royal Circle No. 316, both of Glenarm. Her husband was a member of the Modern Woodmen. She is one who makes friends everywhere and is loved by a wide circle of appreciative friends, who appreciate her excellent qualities and admire her business acumen.