Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1353:
JORDAN, JACOB, an honored veteran of the Civil War, is a retired farmer and well-known citizen of the village of Chatham, Ill., Mr. Jordan was born in Anderson County, Ky., where he was reared and educated, and in boyhood learned the details of farming, which he adopted as an occupation when he started out in the world for himself. He is a son of Isaac and Zerelda (Serrey) Jordan, the former born in Virginia, in 1796, and the latter a native of Kentucky. The father moved from Virginia to Kentucky as a young man and became a farmer in Anderson County. Zerelda Serrey's parents were native of Kentucky, where their entire lives were spent.
After receiving his education Jacob Jordan took up agricultural pursuits, and August 22, 1862, enlisted in Company K, Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, at Eminence, Ky., where he was mustered out at the end of one year. He re-enlisted, January 15, 1864, in Company D, Fifty-fourth United States Infantry, at Louisville, where he was also mustered out in September, 1865. He served the first time under Captain William Edwards, and the second time under Captain L. D. Brown, being mustered in by Gen. John M. Palmer. He took part in the Battle of Richmond, October 8, 1862, and helped drive Bragg away from Perryville; fought against John Morgan July 4, 1862, in Kentucky, and followed him twenty-four days through Indiana and Ohio and captured him in the latter State, participating in many skirmishes. Near the close of the war Mr. Jordan spent about four months fighting guerrillas in the Kentucky mountains, and during this time suffered many hardships and had many narrow escapes, one of their most troublesome enemies being Ben Frohman. Mr. Jordan won a very creditable record during his service and was never captured or wounded. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
After the war Mr. Jordan returned to his native State, and in November, 1879, moved from Kentucky to Chatham, Ill, which has since been his home. He was married, in Anderson County, Ky., February, 1859, to Miss Sarah E. Rucker, a native of Anderson County, born October 6, 1843, daughter of Ezekiel and Rebecca (Cummings) Rucker, both natives of Kentucky. Her father was a soldier in the Mexican War and died in the city of Mexico, after which his widow lived many years on the farm in Kentucky. Mrs. Rucker moved to Chatham, Ill., in 1871, and there her death occurred in August, 1892. Mrs. Jordan had two brothers who served in the Civil War, one of whom was killed in service and the other is in the Soldiers' Home at Danville, Ill. During the time her husband was in the army Mrs. Jordan supported two children on the farm and for two winters hauled and chopped her own wood. She spun and wove the cloth for her family in her early married life. She and her husband had one son in the Spanish-American War. Sixteen children were born to this couple, as follows: Isaac S., born in Kentucky, October 24, 1859; Annie B., September 8, 1861; Richard T., April 18, 1863; John C., September 30, 1864; Ulysses S., July 25, 1866; Lillie M., September 26, 1868; Hattie S., July 17, 1870; William O., April 25, 1872; James P., February 14, 1874; Russell, August 14, 1876; Columbus, September 2, 1877; Raleigh W., May 7, 1879; twins, born September 25, 1881, lived but a short time; Lena M., born March 28, 1882; Seaburt R., July 16, 1884. Of these children ten survive, seven sons and three daughters. This is one of Sangamon County's largest families and all its members are highly respected by those who know them.
Mr. Jordan is a member of the Christian Church and is a stanch Republican. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs and has served many times as Road Commissioner and Village Trustee. He was a successful farmer and has for several years been retired from active life.