Bio: Jordan, Joseph & Agnes

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Jordan, Gruber, Cesnik, Penca, Benske, Zugich, Slovshek, Ellis, Scharenbrock

----Source: Family Scrapbook

Joseph Jordan was born near the City of Ljubljana in Jugoslavia January 1, 1860. He married Agnes Gruber in Jugoslavia. Agnes Gruber was born January 11, 1863.

Four children were born in Jugoslavia. Three of the children died in early infancy. Joseph, his wife Agnes, and the oldest child Agnes, came to the United States in 1889. It took 28 days to cross the ocean by boat. They settled in LaSalle, Illinois.

Joseph spoke three languages; Slovenian, German and enough English to do business in America. He got a job in a foundry in LaSalle. His wife Agnes took in boarders. Eight children were born in LaSalle, Illinois: John, Joseph Jr., Josephine, Mary, Rudy, Albina, Christina and Anna.

Joseph, Agnes and their nine children came to Willard in the Fall of 1908. They bought 80 acres of wooded land in the Town of Hendren, which they purchased through Ignac Cesnik Agency of Willard. Joseph and his family stayed by Cesnik until they cleared the land to build a frame house.

Thirteen children were born to Joseph and Agnes Jordan. Eight of the children are deceased: Agnes (Jordan) Penca, John, Joseph Jr., Josephine (Jordan) Benske, Mary (Jordan) Zugich, Albina (Jordan) Slovshek, Anna (Jordan) Ellis and Rudolph. Two of the Jordan children are still living. Christina, Sister M. Genevieve lives in Springfield, Illinois at St. Francis Convent. Ludwig is the thirteenth child. He was born in Willard on the home farm January 5, 1910. Ludwig bought the home farm in 1938. He is married to Elizabeth Scharenbrock.

Submitted by: Ludwig and Betty Jordan