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THE founder of the Jordan family in this State was Rev. Robert Jordan, an Episcopal
clergyman, who came from England, in 1640, and settled at Richmond's Island, Cape Elizabeth. He married Sarah,
only daughter of John Winter, of Richmond's Island, at that time Director of the Colony. From the six sons of this
marriage almost all the Jordans of this section of New England are descended.
Edward Clarence Jordan, the subject of this sketch, was born at Westbrook (Woodfords), Me., March 17, 1846, being
the son of Samuel Jordan and Eunice Quimby Seal.
He married, December, 1874., Eliza Payson, daughter of Hon. W. W. Thomas, who died March 6, 1876. February 28,
1881, he married Marcia Dow, daughter of Hon. Bion Bradbury.
Mr. Jordan's preliminary education was in the public schools and Westbrook Seminary; and for two years he was a
student and assistant in the engineering office of the late John F. Anderson. In 1868 he was graduated in the civil
engineering course, under Professor Gillespie, at Union College, New York.
During the five years from 1868 to 1873 he was an assistant, resident, and locating engineer upon the Central and
Northern Pacific Railroads, constructing about two hundred miles of road for these companies. Since 1873 Mr. Jordan
has been in the active practice of civil engineering, with his office in Portland, Me. He rarely engages in regular
railroad practice, but is frequently employed in special cases, and is often called as an expert in the trial of
causes in the Courts. His practice is now largely in hydraulics, or in the line of what is now called municipal
engineering.
Mr. Jordan is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, an association exclusive and difficult of access,
to qualify for admission to which, the applicant must be thoroughly educated and have done original approved work,
and must be a gentleman of recognized high character. He is also a member of the American Public Health Association,
and the Maine State Board of Health, having been for several years President of the latter; and was lately the
City Civil Engineer of Portland.
Mr. Jordan stands among the first in his profession, and has been employed in many important works pertinent to
Portland and other places throughout this State.
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