eral lines of trade throughout the world, Mr. Jordan at the age of twenty-five sold out his store and took a position in the well-known and successful house of James M. Beebe. Here, in two years' time, by hard work and diligent study, he acquired a thorough knowledge of the principles and management of the business, and the system which Mr. Beebe had been a quarter of a century in perfecting. He was now better equipped for going into business on his own account, and immediately entered upon a new career as a Boston merchant.
The firm of Jordan, Marsh & Company was formed in the year 1851, when they opened a small jobbing store on Milk Street. They had a reputation for integrity, industry and ability, and it was not long before they had built up a permanent and profitable trade. Mr. Jordan introduced the cash system into the jobbing business, and made considerable headway in improving the methods of trade for the benefit of customers. Large importers were few in those days, but the competitors of Jordan, Marsh & Company enjoyed this facility, and had large credit abroad. A personal visit of Mr. Jordan to Europe, however, in 1852, removed this obstacle, and ever since the firm has obtained all the credit needed, and their English correspondents have never had occasion to regret the connections then made. The firm steadily progressed, increasing its trade and resources, weathered successfully the financial storm of 1857, enlarged its salesrooms and manufacturing departments, and kept up a spirit of enterprise which increased its profits and strengthened its name. In 1861 Jordan, Marsh & Company bought the retail store on Washington Street where now stands their magnificent establishment, a fit monument to the broad and comprehensive spirit which has ever characterized the career of this successful merchant.
During all these years, when Mr. Jordan has been active in building up the fortunes of his house, he has been one of Boston's most public-spirited citizens. Persistently refusing all suggestions of political honors, he has ever been ready to forward any public movement to promote the best interests of the city, and to contribute to any public testimonial in favor of those who have achieved success or merited public recognition. A staunch patriot at the time of the rebellion, a generous contributor to the Peace Jubilee, he has by liberal expenditure of time and money, indisputably linked his name with all that has tended to make the city of his adoption the metropolis indeed of New England.
The career of Mr. Jordan shows what is possible for a boy with few early advantages, without means or friends, to accomplish, by diligent application to business, a life of the strictest integrity, and by a generous and open-handed co-operation in enterprises that promote the public weal.
Mr. Jordan was married in Boston, January 13, 1847, to Julia M., daughter of James Clark. His children are: Walter (deceased), James Clark, Julia Maria, Eben Dyer, Jr., and Alice Jordan.
Jordan, Jediah Porter, son of Anson and Matilda H. (Porter) Jordan, was born in Raymond, Cumberland county, Me., March 29, 1846. He received his early education at the common schools of Raymond and Casco, and the high school at Portland, Me.
He afterwards studied a year preparatory for college; but at the end of that period, owing to the death of his father, he left school at the age of sixteen, came to Roxbury, Mass., and entered the freight office of the Boston & Providence Railroad as a clerk.
While in this position, he enlisted as a private in company D, 42d Massachusetts infantry, July 20, 1864, rising by promotion to sergeant-major of that regiment. At the expiration of his regiment's term of service, he re-entered the employ of the railroad company as assistant to the general freight-agent, which position he occupied for two years. He was then for two years book-keeper for A. L. Cutler & Co., and subsequently for Carter Brothers & Co., wholesale paper dealers. In 1875 he became a partner in the latter firm, retaining his connection with this house under its various changes of style to Carter, Pulsifer and Jordan; Pulsifer, Jordan & Wilson; Pulsifer, Jordan & Pfaff.
Mr. Jordan left Roxbury in 1872, and resided for six years in Quincy, when he returned to Roxbury, where he has since resided.
In addition to his army service, he was for three years commander of company D, 1st regiment of infantry, M. V. M. (Roxbury city guard), which under him gained a high reputation and great proficiency in drill. He was also at one time commander of Post 88, G. A. R., of Quincy; Post 26, (G. A. R., of Roxbury; commander of Roxbury Artillery Association, and was chief of Norfolk county division of the G. A. R., at the laying of the corner-stone of the Boston soldiers' monument. He was com-
