Individual Details
Harvey Sims Jordan
(9 Apr 1854 - 31 Jul 1909)
San Diego Union, San Diego, California, Sunday, August 1, 1909, Page 9: Pastor Expires While Reading His Sermon. Rev. H. S. Jordan, Stricken in His Study, Is Found by His Son, Dying. Lives Only Few Minutes. Well-Known Minister Is the Fourth Victim in Strange Series of Fatalities. Rev. H. S. Jordan, who Died of Apoplexy At His Home Last Night. [A photo of the Pastor].
While reading over his own last sermon on "The Goodness of God," which was to have been delivered at the First Presbyterian church this morning, Rev. Harvey S. Jordan was last night stricken with apoplexy, and died within a few minutes, without regaining consciousness.
The physicians can give no explanation of the sudden attack. The pastor, who had returned from an eastern trip only a few weeks ago, much benefited in health, had been playing croquet all afternoon, as was his custom on Saturdays. He confided to his son when he returned that he was slightly fatigued. During the supper hour he was observed to be more reticent that usual, but he uttered no complaints.
Finds Father Dying.
When the evening meal was over, Dr. Jordan retired to his study, upstairs. A little later his son heard peculiar noises above and went to investigate. Opening the door he saw his father in a sitting posture, with his head swaying back and forth. The sermon was outspread before him. Running down stairs the boy told his aunt, Mrs. Heath, of his discovery. When the two returned the minister apparently was dead. Physicians were summoned, and it was their judgment the apoplexy had ended the pastor's life within a few minutes after he was stricken.
Dr. Jordan was about 55 years of age and was one of the best known ministers in the Presbyterian church. Wherever known he was loved, not only as a minister of the gospel, by the members of his congregation and church associates, but as a jolly companion of manly men, who was ever ready to participate in the joys of life as well as to console those in sorrow.
Stood High in Lodge.
He was a member of San Diego lodge No. 28, Knights of Pythias and stood high in the order, having been at one time a state official in the Michigan grand lodge. He joined heartily in lodge affairs and was always chosen as master of ceremonies on festal occasions.
Before coming to San Diego, Dr. Jordan was for ten years pastor of the First Presbyterian church of New Castle, Pa., and that he was popular in that city is evident from the fact that while visiting there during his recent trip east, members of his former congregation , and several other churches in that part of the country, used every effort to persuade him to leave San Diego and return to his old home. During his absence from San Diego he preached for several of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the Pittsburg district and according to reports published in eastern papers, could have taken the pastorate of any of them had he shown any willingness to leave this city.
Lost Wife Last Winter.
Dr. Jordan was a widower, his wife dying here last winter. He leaves four children, a son, Harvey S. Jordan [Harvey Bryant Jordan], aged about 13; two unmarried daughters who lived with their father, Miss Hattie Jordan, a teacher in the city schools and Miss Marguerite Jordan, and a married daughter, Mrs. Carl Forkum, living with her husband at Woodlawn, Pennsylvania. Miss Hattie and Marguerite Jordan were in Los Angeles when the sad death occurred, but were quickly notified of their father's demise by Mrs. Heath, a sister of the late Mrs. Jordan, who had been visiting with her brother-in-law and his family.
Miss Hattie is ill, having been taken north for treatment.
Church Will Be Closed.
Out of respect to the dead man, no church services whatever will be held at the First Presbyterian church today. No funeral arrangements have yet been made, but the body will be interred here, in the plot with that of his wife.
It is probable that an inquest will be held by Coroner Morgan at Johnson & Connell's mortuary this morning, though this may be dispensed with.
Series of Fatalities.
Dr. Jordan is the fourth successive pastor of the First Presbyterian church to meet a sudden death. More than twelve years ago, Rev. F. Merton Smith was stricken with apoplexy in his pulpit one Sunday and died before he could be removed from the church. He was succeeded by P. E. Kipp, who was suddenly attacked by illness, dying after being confined to his bed only a few days.
Rev. Robert B. Taylor, whom Dr. Jordan succeeded, was called to the pastorate after Rev. Mr. Kipp's death. While sailing on San Diego bay, November 19, 1904, with a party of friends, he met a tragic end by drowning. The hat of one of the members of the party blew off. While reaching out to grasp it the minister lost his balance, fell overboard, and was drowned before intending rescuers could reach him.
Dr. Jordan had often referred to the violent deaths of his predecessors, and within the last month in a conversation with a Union reporter, he remarked good-humoredly that his congregation would have to find some other means of getting rid of him.
Since the unexpected death of his wife last winter, his friends here noticed, however, that he had lost a great deal of the jovial good nature that had marked his whole life. The blow fell heavily on the powerful man of God, and it is probable that constant grief over the loss of his life companion weakened his rugged constitution and finally brought about his death.
While reading over his own last sermon on "The Goodness of God," which was to have been delivered at the First Presbyterian church this morning, Rev. Harvey S. Jordan was last night stricken with apoplexy, and died within a few minutes, without regaining consciousness.
The physicians can give no explanation of the sudden attack. The pastor, who had returned from an eastern trip only a few weeks ago, much benefited in health, had been playing croquet all afternoon, as was his custom on Saturdays. He confided to his son when he returned that he was slightly fatigued. During the supper hour he was observed to be more reticent that usual, but he uttered no complaints.
Finds Father Dying.
When the evening meal was over, Dr. Jordan retired to his study, upstairs. A little later his son heard peculiar noises above and went to investigate. Opening the door he saw his father in a sitting posture, with his head swaying back and forth. The sermon was outspread before him. Running down stairs the boy told his aunt, Mrs. Heath, of his discovery. When the two returned the minister apparently was dead. Physicians were summoned, and it was their judgment the apoplexy had ended the pastor's life within a few minutes after he was stricken.
Dr. Jordan was about 55 years of age and was one of the best known ministers in the Presbyterian church. Wherever known he was loved, not only as a minister of the gospel, by the members of his congregation and church associates, but as a jolly companion of manly men, who was ever ready to participate in the joys of life as well as to console those in sorrow.
Stood High in Lodge.
He was a member of San Diego lodge No. 28, Knights of Pythias and stood high in the order, having been at one time a state official in the Michigan grand lodge. He joined heartily in lodge affairs and was always chosen as master of ceremonies on festal occasions.
Before coming to San Diego, Dr. Jordan was for ten years pastor of the First Presbyterian church of New Castle, Pa., and that he was popular in that city is evident from the fact that while visiting there during his recent trip east, members of his former congregation , and several other churches in that part of the country, used every effort to persuade him to leave San Diego and return to his old home. During his absence from San Diego he preached for several of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the Pittsburg district and according to reports published in eastern papers, could have taken the pastorate of any of them had he shown any willingness to leave this city.
Lost Wife Last Winter.
Dr. Jordan was a widower, his wife dying here last winter. He leaves four children, a son, Harvey S. Jordan [Harvey Bryant Jordan], aged about 13; two unmarried daughters who lived with their father, Miss Hattie Jordan, a teacher in the city schools and Miss Marguerite Jordan, and a married daughter, Mrs. Carl Forkum, living with her husband at Woodlawn, Pennsylvania. Miss Hattie and Marguerite Jordan were in Los Angeles when the sad death occurred, but were quickly notified of their father's demise by Mrs. Heath, a sister of the late Mrs. Jordan, who had been visiting with her brother-in-law and his family.
Miss Hattie is ill, having been taken north for treatment.
Church Will Be Closed.
Out of respect to the dead man, no church services whatever will be held at the First Presbyterian church today. No funeral arrangements have yet been made, but the body will be interred here, in the plot with that of his wife.
It is probable that an inquest will be held by Coroner Morgan at Johnson & Connell's mortuary this morning, though this may be dispensed with.
Series of Fatalities.
Dr. Jordan is the fourth successive pastor of the First Presbyterian church to meet a sudden death. More than twelve years ago, Rev. F. Merton Smith was stricken with apoplexy in his pulpit one Sunday and died before he could be removed from the church. He was succeeded by P. E. Kipp, who was suddenly attacked by illness, dying after being confined to his bed only a few days.
Rev. Robert B. Taylor, whom Dr. Jordan succeeded, was called to the pastorate after Rev. Mr. Kipp's death. While sailing on San Diego bay, November 19, 1904, with a party of friends, he met a tragic end by drowning. The hat of one of the members of the party blew off. While reaching out to grasp it the minister lost his balance, fell overboard, and was drowned before intending rescuers could reach him.
Dr. Jordan had often referred to the violent deaths of his predecessors, and within the last month in a conversation with a Union reporter, he remarked good-humoredly that his congregation would have to find some other means of getting rid of him.
Since the unexpected death of his wife last winter, his friends here noticed, however, that he had lost a great deal of the jovial good nature that had marked his whole life. The blow fell heavily on the powerful man of God, and it is probable that constant grief over the loss of his life companion weakened his rugged constitution and finally brought about his death.
Events
| Birth | 9 Apr 1854 | Morgan, Coles Co., Illinois |  | ||
| Marriage | 1880 | Mary Lavina Munger | | ||
| Death | 31 Jul 1909 | San Diego, San Diego Co., California | | ||
| Burial | Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, San Diego Co., California | |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Lavina Munger (1858 - 1908) |
| Child | Mary Edith Jordan (1882 - 1934) |
| Child | Harriet Adele"Hattie" Jordan (1885 - 1955) |
| Child | Marguerite Irene Jordan (1889 - 1961) |
| Child | Harvey Bryant Jordan (1895 - 1965) |
| Father | William H. Jordan (1832 - 1909) |
| Mother | Mary Jane Kirkpatrick (1833 - 1899) |
| Sibling | Phillis Emily Jordan (1856 - 1891) |
| Sibling | Charles Edwin Jordan (1860 - 1915) |
| Sibling | Frank E. Jordan (1862 - ) |
| Sibling | William Newton Jordan (1864 - 1934) |
| Sibling | John Wesley Jordan (1869 - ) |
| Sibling | James Herbert Jordan (1871 - 1926) |
Endnotes
1. Family Search.
2. Find A Grave.
3. 1900 Census Lawrence Co., Pennsylvania.
4. Family Search.
5. Family Search.
6. Find A Grave.