J. W. JORDAN, Livingston County, was born February 12, 1842, in Tompkinsville, Monroe Co., Ky., and is a son of Charles and Amanda (Ladd) Jordan, both natives of Virginia. Dr. Jordan's grandfather, William Jordan, was an early settler of Sangamon County, Ill., having moved from Virginia to that State many years ago. The Ladd family came to Kentucky about the year 1810, settling in Monroe County, where Robert Ladd, subject's grandfather, died in 1840. Subject's father, Charles Jordan, was born in 1807, and is still living in Barren County, Ky. Amanda (Ladd) Jordan was born 1810, and is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan are the parents of eight children, subject being the fifth. He remained with his parents until attaining his majority, when he engaged in business for himself as a trader in live stock, in which he was very successful. In 1865 he commenced the study of dentistry under the instructions of Dr. E. A. Herman of Nashville, Tenn., and one year later commenced practice in partnership with Dr. McGuire, working at Nashville, and different points in middle Tennessee. In 1867 he moved to Springfield, Mo., and the year following went to St. Louis, which he made his headquarters for a short time; afterward locating at Concord, where he remained one year. From the latter place he moved to Nevada City, Mo., and from there, in 1871, came back to Kentucky, locating at the village of Fredonia, Caldwell County, where he practiced his profession for a short time; he also spent a great many years going from place to place, but wherever he has gone, he established a lucrative practice. Among the different towns where he has located are the following; Smith's Grove, Marion, Princeton (Ky.,) Enfield, McLeansboro, Flora and Elizabethtown (Ill.,) Denver (Col.) and at various points in the Indian Territory. In 1880 he came to Livingston County, Ky., locating near Salem Village, where he has since resided, practicing his profession among the neighboring counties and towns. Dr. Jordan was married September 4, 1872, to Miss Sallie A. Alley, daughter of Henry and Charlotte Alley, of Salem, Ky. To this marriage one child was born—Charley. December 8, 1874, Mrs. Jordan departed this life in Denver, Col. In the year following, his second marriage occurred to Missouri Alley, a sister of his former wife. To this marriage six children were born: Frank C., Maggie T., John H., Charlotte M., William L., and Lily M. (deceased). The Doctor is an active member of the Christian Church, to which he has belonged since 1873, and in politics votes the Democratic ticket.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 824-825.