My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL A. JORDAN, retired, Federal, was born in Allegheny county, Pa., March 25, 1807. In 1801 Stewart Jordan, with his wife and four children, left Chester county, Pa., and after a long, tedious journey of three weeks arrived in Pittsburgh. They moved into a log cabin, the property of a Mr. Alexander, where they remained until the spring of 1802. Stewart Jordan here bought a small farm, and thereon erected a log house, the lumber for which was on this tract of land. It was made of round logs, with clapboard roof, and weight poles to keep clapboards in place; had paper windows, and no nails were used, except what were made by the neighboring blacksmith. He made subsequent purchases, and owned at his death 125 acres. He was always a farmer, was highly respected by his neighbors, being a kind and good Christian. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Hanna, was an estimable lady. She was baptized by the same minister, Rev. Michel, who afterward, Sept. 5, 1793, in Chester county, pronounced her the wife of Mr. Jordan. He died in 1843, in his eighty-third year; his wife died April 6, 1863, when ninety-six years old. They were the parents of nine children, fifty-seven grandchildren and thirty-one great-grandchildren. Their forefathers came to America in the sixteenth century, and were of Scotch-Irish blood.

Samuel A. Jordan, the subject of this sketch, and son of Stewart Jordan, was born and reared on the farm, the pursuits of which he has always followed. He received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse, with its greased-paper windows, slab benches, earthen floor and hardheaded “dominie” wielding the ever-ready “wattles.” He was for a number of years’ engaged in the saw mill business in Washington county. It was there he met and afterward married, in 1839, Margaret, daughter of Nicholas and Anna (White) Edgar. Her uncle, Mathew Taylor, was the first white child born in Washington county, Pa. Nine children were born to them: John M. (who died in 1864 at Andersonville prison, after serving in the war two years), Nicholas W. (who died in 1884), Mary Jane (now Mrs. Miller), Ann Elizabeth, Samuel Stewart (married to Sarah F. Phillip), Sarah, Francis Philip, Isaac Newton and Jacob Lea. Mr. Jordan bought, in 1855, 155 acres of land in South Fayette township (now Collier) at sixty dollars per acre, and moved to it in 1856; this land is now assessed at $120 per acre He has retired from active work on the farm, which is now conducted by his sons. He has since twenty-one years of age been an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and takes a great interest in the Sunday-school. He has been school director of his township, and has held other positions of trust. Politically he is a prohibitionist, formerly a republican. Among many reminiscences this fine old pioneer could relate may be mentioned that in 1818 his father paid 18 ¾ cents for postage on letters coming from Chester county, Pa., to Allegheny county, when Pittsburgh was the only post office in the latter county, all mail-matter east or west of the mountains being carried on horseback. His school primer cost fifteen cents, and everything else in proportion; and his school day experiences would be well worth relating did space permit.