Origin of this surname: “A young Crusader who had borne the ensign of the Cross through many battles, when knighted by Richard the Lion Hearted, and asked what boon he desired, replied, `My father, William of Deandon, once made the complete pilgrimage,
bathed in the holy waters of the river, and carried to my mother the olive branch. Therefore, if it please thee, I would like a name-I would be called Jordan’.”
George Washington Jordan, son of Briton Jordan and his wife, Margaret Bell, was born in Washington County, Georgia, in 1826, and died in Hawkinsville in 1912. He attended school at Penfield, Mercer Institute, and read law under his uncle, Judge Isom Saffold, and settled in Hawkinsville in 1847 to practice law. After his marriage to Ann Rebecca, daughter of George Walker and wife, Martha Childers, of Longstreet, he removed to Longstreet, noted Pulaski community. Their children were: Anna Bell, who died young; George Walker, Albert Augustus, who died young; Martha Spann (Mrs. W. A. Jelks), and Richard Childers. Besides his profession he was a planter with extensive interests. He was solicitor general of the Southern Circuit in 1851, and represented Pulaski in the Senate in 1859-60. His wife died in 1864. His second marriage was to Mrs. Henrietta Breazeal Walker. They had one child, Leonidas Augustus. He represented Pulaski in the House of Representatives in 1877.’ He returned to Hawkinsville with his family in 1881, and was mayor of Hawkinsville. Governor Allen Candler appointed him Judge of Pulaski County Court in 1899. He served nine years. Judge Jordan was a member of the Baptist Church, a Confederate soldier, and a man of unquestioned integrity.
George Walker Jordan, son of George Washington Jordan, was born at Longstreet in 1855. He was educated at Longstreet Academy and at Mercer University. He first married Lilla Mason of Longstreet, and they had one child, Lilla Bell, who died young, and in 1881 his wife died. He next married Caroline Tarver, of Tarversville, Twiggs County, Georgia. Their children: Laura, who died young; Rebecca, Carolyn, George Walker, and an infant that died young. Mr. Jordan was a planter and landed proprietor of Longstreet. He removed to Hawkinsville in 1898, and has served Pulaski County and Hawkinsville thirty-two years, as follows: County commissioner for five years, member county board of education for one year, member House of Representatives eight years, city councilman four years, city tax assessor two years, city mayor six years, and city manager six years. He was mayor during the World War, and responded personally and officially to government appeals. “Peace and equity” has been his rule in life.
George Walker Jordan II, son of George Walker Jordan, was born at Longstreet, and has lived at Hawkinsville since 1898. He is a member of the Methodist Church, a graduate of Hawkinsville High School, and M.E. graduate of Georgia School of Technology. He is a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. During the World War he volunteered for service, enlisting in the United States Naval Reserve Force with rank of C.M.M. He married Marion Green of Cochran, Georgia, and their children are Lucy Callaway and George Walker III.
Richard Childers Jordan, son of George Washington Jordan, was born at Longstreet in 1864, and died at Macon, Georgia, in 1925. He was educated at private schools, and graduated at Mercer University in 1884, with A.B. degree. He read law under his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He was appointed solicitor of Pulaski County Court and served during 1889-92. Moving to Macon, he entered the law office of Bacon and Rutherford. He married May Curd, of Macon. Their children were: Julia, who died young, and Marion, who died soon after graduating at Wesleyan College. Though she lived a brief span of years, she left a record of heroism for the annals of her people. Judge Richard Jordan was a deacon of the Presbyterian Church, and during the World War was active in selling Liberty Bonds. He was law agent for the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad in 1894-95, and for many years was attorney for the Central of Georgia Railway, as well as solicitor general for the City Court of Macon. He was appointed judge of the City Court of Macon in 1924 by Governor Clifford Walker, and served until his death.
Leonidas Augustus Jordan, son of George Washington Jordan, was born at Longstreet in 1871, and died at Hawkinsville in 1933.
After 1881 his home was at Hawkinsville. He was educated at private schools. He was a planter, a cotton buyer, and at one time one of the largest landowners of Pulaski County. He married Marie Johns of Farmington, Oconee County, Georgia. They had one child, Leonidas Augustus. Mr. Jordan was a member of the Baptist Church. He was a liberal supporter of World War demands, was active in the social and progressive interests of his town and county, and was an upright, loyal citizen.
Arthur Jordan, progenitor of this line, emigrated from England and settled in Virginia in 1635. His brother, George Jordan, was attorney general of Virginia. John Jordan, lineal descendant of Arthur, was born in Greenville County, Virginia, and settled in Washington County, Georgia, in 1800. He served all during the Revolution, and was a guard on post when Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown. John Jordan was the grandfather of George Washington Jordan of Pulaski County.