Decatur Co Tennessee
BIOGRAPHIES

"Tennessee Trails"
H.M. JORDAN
H. M. Jordan, a well known farmer of the Fifth District, was born in Benton County, Tenn., October 30, 1843. His father, Edmund Jordan, was a native of North Carolina, born October 12, 1812, and came to Tennessee when there were comparatively few whites. He was first married to Nancy Haynes, of Tennessee, who was born September, 1812. She became the mother of seven children, of whom H. M. Jordan is the fourth. At the time of her death she was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, a good Christian woman. Edmund Jordan was married the second time to Elizabeth Moore, of Benton County; this union resulted in the birth of two children, only one survives. Elizabeth (Moore) Jordan died in Arkansas, after which Mr. Jordan returned to Tennessee and was married the third time to Mrs. Elizabeth (Maxwell) Howell, who survives him. Our subject, thrown upon his own resources at an early age, therefore, received but a limited education; has been farming since boyhood. When the late war began he enlisted in the Confederate Army, under command of Col. B. J. Lee, and took part in the desperate battle of Shiloh.

After one year's faithful service, he returned home, remaining about six months, then enlisted in the Federal service in Second Tennessee Regiment, under command of Col. Murphy, participated in the battle of Nashville, which continued for three days, and in the Centerville raid. They endured many hardships, and had a number of narrow escapes from death, many men in close proximity to him being killed. Twelve months after he entered the Federal Army, was discharged at Nashville; he went to Illinois and farmed for one year, after which time he came to Decatur and resumed his agricultural pursuits on the place upon which he is now living. August 27, 1865, was married to Miss Martha N. Jennings, born in Decatur County, December 8, 1844, a daughter of Hiram and Eliza (Arnold) Jennings, both of Perry County, now called Decatur. Hiram Jennings was born August 23, 1811. December 2, 1863, a party of men calling themselves ____ Texas Rangers, hanged Mr. Jennings, stating that their reasons for so doing, was that they had been captured by Federal troops, two months previous, while taking breakfast at Mr. Jenning's house, and accused him of having reported them, as in many other instances their intention was to plunder and destroy, for after hanging Mr. Jennings, they burned the house.

Mrs. Jennings, who was born September 9, 1817, is still living and in the enjoyment of good health. A family of eleven children have been born to H. M. and Martha (Jennings) Jordan: Lucy B. was born September 7, 1866, is the wife of Benj. Moore, a farmer of Decatur County; Ephriam E., born November 13, 1867; Wm. E., born October 20,1869; Rhoda A., born April 80, 1871; Ara E., born December 21, 1872; John H., born August 29, 1874; Albert L., born June 28, 1878; Chancy P., born February 11, 1878; Harvey, born January 2, 1880; Mary Zora, born July 25,1881; Josiah, born July 18, 1883; with exception of Mrs. Moore, all are living at home, each receiving a thorough education. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan are sincere members of the Baptist Church.. He is a stanch Republican, adheres closely to the party principles, is also an affable gentleman, well and favorably known.

From Goodspeeds History of Tennessee

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