The Portland daily press., 1895-11-16

Mr.. Jordan sold his store. at the age o. o.,
20 years, and took position IN the W WI
known and successful house OF James M;
beebe. Here in two years time py haf,l
work and diligent study, he acquired
thorough knowledge of the principles anu
management of the BUSH and the
system Mr. Beebe had been a quarter OF
century in perfecting. He then ielt better
equipped for doing business on MS
account
The firm of Jordan, Marsh & Co., was
formed In the year 1851 when they opened
q small Jobbing store on Milk 81. Ihey
STARTED with $4,000 in cash.
Mr.. Jordan introduced the cash system
into the Joobing business and made con-
siderable Roadway IN improving the
methods of trade for the benefit OF
customers.
Progress was made but feeling desire
for the advantage of importing goods
direct, MI. Jordan sailed for Europe in
1858. Though the means of the firm were
limited, Mr.. Jordan, by the magnetism
of his personal presence secured all the
credit needed. The senior partner, OF one
of the largest and most conservative COM
mission houses in England, heard his
story, and was so strongly attracted to
the young merchant that he gave him as
large line of credit as he desired, and
certainly never regretted the fact.
Az uliO tCIIlUlo CId9A u lOof Ulilo lAdS
lish house saw many Of its old customers
go down, and when Jordan, Marsh &
Co. pulled through, the senior English
partner said that Mr.. Jordan ought to
have monument erected to perpetuate
the name he had carried SO successfully
through tine awful tornado OF 81. With
the ability to import goods in large
until the panic of 1857, referred to above.
That came sudden and terrific, an
swept through the business world as
western town. Old and strong houses
tottered and fell Every day new names
were added to the list of the fallen. When
the storm had fairly burst, an old
merchant remarked: well, Mr.. JORDAN,
l suppose we have all got to fall, and we
might as well do it first as last. =
"I don't propose to take the first
train" was the quick response. Every
morning for weeks, Mr.. Jordan was at
his store at o'clock working hard, with
all hands to sell off goods at some price,
and every night he went home at mid
night with the consciousness that
the firm was from one to three thousand
dollars poorer than when he arrived at
the store in the morning. But the panic
came to an end and the firm outrode the
storm. In 1861 the firm bought the retail
store on Washington street, corner OF
Avon, where stands their magnificent
establishment, with its many acres of
salesrOoms and it's thousand and one con-
veiences for the comfort and pleasure of
customer and employe. The growth of
this retail store has been marvellous, and
its W ants now require the labor of nearly
5000 employees in it's different depart
ments.
Quite chapter might be written on
one of the great secrets of Mr.. Jordan's
I, 70,
handle and get first class work out of
small or large force of men. AS Napoleon
could handle an army for war, SO could
Mr.. Jordan diract and govern in the
paths of peace and business. His judg-
ment of men was founded upon an in
stinot which quickly determined their
worth, and if they had any business
qualities in them he drew them out and
perfected them as few mon are able to do.
During all these years, when Mr.. Jordan
was active in building the fortunes of his
house, he was one of the most public
spirited citizens of Boston. Persistently
refusing all suggestions of political
honors, he was ready to forward any and
every public movement to promote the
best interests OF Boston During the
Rebellion, Jordan, Marsh & Co.. raised
the first flag in the city. When tho first
call for troops came An offer was made to
all their employees who desired to enlist
that the cost of the outfits would be paid
by the firm, their salaries to continue
during their absence, and their situations
retained until their return. Forty-five
men enlisted and went to the front, en-
bracing the terms. Mr.. Jordan took a
deep interest in the sanitary commission,
and in all measures calculated to inspire
and strengthen the local North and carry
it's banners on to victory. Mr.. Jordan's
vast labor in connection with the two
great peace jubilee. held in Boston in
1869 and 1872, are well known. In the
latter part of his life, Mr.. Jordan made
tour around the world, which proved one
of the most interesting and instructive of
his whole life. His trip to Europe with
twenty five of his employees, to show them
the world, and to give Europeans an idea
of the Intelligence and capacity of our
toilers of both sexes, was most notable
one. Their reception by President Greyy
=