Jordan was born in Rockport, Massachusetts. When he was about three years old his family moved to Gloucester. He enlisted in the Union Army on September 15, 1862, and was discharged as a corporal on July 18, 1864.[1]
Business careeredit
For many years Jordan was the leading herring merchant in the United States. The Boston Daily Globe described him as "one of the most aggressive, daring and progressive men in the fishing business".[1] He began his career in the fishing industry with the firm of Pettengill & Cunningham.[2] He later worked as a clerk for Smith & Rowe. He then became a junior partner in the firm of Rowe & Jordan with Captain Joseph Rowe. When Rowe retired, Jordan ran the business under the name of W. H. Jordan & Co. He was heavily involved in the herring and mackerel business in Newfoundland. His schooner, the Grayling, was one of the most advanced of its time.[1]
Politicsedit
In 1899, President William McKinley, based on the recommendation of U.S. Representative William Henry Moody, nominated Jordan for the position of Collector of Customs for the Port of Gloucester.[2][3] His nomination was opposed by ex-collector, William A. Pew, who sought to return to the position.[2][4] Jordan was confirmed by the United States Senate and was reappointed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1904 and 1908.
In 1911, U.S. Representative Augustus Peabody Gardner chose to base his recommendation for collector on balloting in Gloucester. Jordan was challenged for the position by Gloucester Republican City Committee Chairman Ralph W. Dennen. Jordan won the race handily, however, there was ample evidence that many of the ballots turned in were filled out fraudulently. As a result of this fraud, Gardner refused to recommend Jordan. However, because he believed Jordan would still have won without the fraudulent ballots, he refused to recommend Dennen as well. Instead he recommended that Walter F. Osborne be nominated for the position.[5] Jordan went to Washington to make a case for his reappointment. After Jordan's presentation, President William Howard Taft was torn between the two men. However, he chose to appoint Osborne based on the recommendation of Treasury SecretaryFranklin MacVeagh.[6]
Jordan was also a member of the Gloucester School Committee for 40 years.[1]
Deathedit
Jordan died on July 2, 1923, at his home in Gloucester.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcde"Helped to Make Gloucester Famous". The Boston Daily Globe. Gloucester. July 3, 1923. p. 20. Retrieved December 31, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
^ abc"Jordan Booked". The Boston Daily Globe. December 19, 1899.
^"Gloucester's New Collector". The Boston Daily Globe. Gloucester. June 7, 1899. p. 7. Retrieved December 31, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Pew Doesn't Yield". The Boston Daily Globe. Gloucester. June 8, 1899. p. 12. Retrieved December 31, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
^Low, A. Maurice (December 19, 1911). "Says Gloucester Forged". The Boston Daily Globe.
^W.E.B. (February 13, 1912). "Osborne for Gloucester". The Boston Evening Transcript. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
Preceded by
Frank C. Richardson
Collector of Customs for the Port of Gloucester 1900–1912
william, jordan, 1845, 1846, july, 1923, american, herring, merchant, from, gloucester, massachusetts, born1845, 1846rockport, massachusettsdiedjuly, 1923, aged, gloucester, massachusettsoccupationmerchant, contents, early, life, business, career, politics, de. William H Jordan 1845 1846 July 2 1923 was an American herring merchant from Gloucester Massachusetts William H JordanBorn1845 or 1846Rockport MassachusettsDiedJuly 2 1923 aged 77 Gloucester MassachusettsOccupationMerchant Contents 1 Early life 2 Business career 3 Politics 4 Death 5 ReferencesEarly life editJordan was born in Rockport Massachusetts When he was about three years old his family moved to Gloucester He enlisted in the Union Army on September 15 1862 and was discharged as a corporal on July 18 1864 1 Business career editFor many years Jordan was the leading herring merchant in the United States The Boston Daily Globe described him as one of the most aggressive daring and progressive men in the fishing business 1 He began his career in the fishing industry with the firm of Pettengill amp Cunningham 2 He later worked as a clerk for Smith amp Rowe He then became a junior partner in the firm of Rowe amp Jordan with Captain Joseph Rowe When Rowe retired Jordan ran the business under the name of W H Jordan amp Co He was heavily involved in the herring and mackerel business in Newfoundland His schooner the Grayling was one of the most advanced of its time 1 Politics editIn 1899 President William McKinley based on the recommendation of U S Representative William Henry Moody nominated Jordan for the position of Collector of Customs for the Port of Gloucester 2 3 His nomination was opposed by ex collector William A Pew who sought to return to the position 2 4 Jordan was confirmed by the United States Senate and was reappointed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1904 and 1908 In 1911 U S Representative Augustus Peabody Gardner chose to base his recommendation for collector on balloting in Gloucester Jordan was challenged for the position by Gloucester Republican City Committee Chairman Ralph W Dennen Jordan won the race handily however there was ample evidence that many of the ballots turned in were filled out fraudulently As a result of this fraud Gardner refused to recommend Jordan However because he believed Jordan would still have won without the fraudulent ballots he refused to recommend Dennen as well Instead he recommended that Walter F Osborne be nominated for the position 5 Jordan went to Washington to make a case for his reappointment After Jordan s presentation President William Howard Taft was torn between the two men However he chose to appoint Osborne based on the recommendation of Treasury Secretary Franklin MacVeagh 6 Jordan was also a member of the Gloucester School Committee for 40 years 1 Death editJordan died on July 2 1923 at his home in Gloucester 1 References edit a b c d e Helped to Make Gloucester Famous The Boston Daily Globe Gloucester July 3 1923 p 20 Retrieved December 31 2019 via Newspapers com a b c Jordan Booked The Boston Daily Globe December 19 1899 Gloucester s New Collector The Boston Daily Globe Gloucester June 7 1899 p 7 Retrieved December 31 2019 via Newspapers com Pew Doesn t Yield The Boston Daily Globe Gloucester June 8 1899 p 12 Retrieved December 31 2019 via Newspapers com Low A Maurice December 19 1911 Says Gloucester Forged The Boston Daily Globe W E B February 13 1912 Osborne for Gloucester The Boston Evening Transcript Retrieved March 23 2015 Preceded byFrank C Richardson Collector of Customs for the Port of Gloucester1900 1912 Succeeded byWalter F Osborne Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William H Jordan amp oldid 1135389718, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
