On attaining his twenty-first year Henry Frederick Jourdan embarked in the coal and lumber business in Branford as a member of the firm of F. Jourdan & Son. Since that time he has been closely identified with the trade and has developed a business of extensive and gratifying proportions. He was born in Branford, May 31, 1855, a son of Frederick and Fannie (Linsley) Jourdan. The father was a native of Switzerland and in young manhood crossed the Atlantic to the new world, establishing his home in Branford, Connecticut. In the early ‘50s he engaged in the butchering business, conducting his shop until 1857. For some years thereafter he devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits but in his later years retired and retained his residence in Branford up to the time of his death. He was a selectman and was also assessor of the town and at all times was deeply interested in the welfare and progress of his community, cooperating in all well defined plans and measures for the general good. His wife was born in Branford and represented the old and prominent Linsley family of this state. She, too, has passed away. Henry F. Jourdan acquired his education in the town schools of Branford and also attended the old Branford Academy. On the 31st of May, 1876, which was the twenty-first anniversary of his birth, he became connected with the coal and lumber business of F. Jourdan & Son and has been active in the development of the trade, which has now reached extensive and gratifying proportions. The business methods of the house are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, and the unfaltering enterprise and sagacity of Mr. Jourdan are salient features in its prosperity. In October, 1877, Mr. Jourdan was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Simpson, of Branford, who was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, a daughter of Irwin and Alice Simpson, who were natives of Branford, where their daughter, Mrs. Jourdan, was reared and educated. To this marriage have been born ten children, seven of whom are living: Frederick Morton, Irwin Simpson, Fannie Ella, Alice Emily, Mildred, Elizabeth and Valerie Messmer. In his political views Mr. Jourdan has maintained
an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment
rather than according to party ties. He belongs to the Episcopal church
and for years has been its senior warden. He also holds membership in Widows
Son Lodge, No. 66, F. & A. M.; in Woodland Lodge, K. P., of which he
is past chancellor commander; the Woodmen of the World of New Haven, and
in the Home Club. He is likewise connected with commercial and business
interests aside from his activity as a dealer in coal and wood. He is the
vice president of the Branford Trust Company, which he aided in organizing
and of which he has continuously served as the second executive officer.
He is likewise a charter member of the Lumber Dealers’ Association of Connecticut
and has been one of its directors. He is watchful of every opportunity
pointing to sucess[cq] and his close application and unremitting energy
are factors in his growing prosperity. He is a progressive business man,
alert and energetic, and his record proves what may be accomplished when
one has the will to dare and to do.
Modern History of
New Haven
Illustrated Volume II New York – Chicago
pgs 793 - 794 |
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NEW HAVEN COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES pages / text are copyrighted by Elaine Kidd O'Leary & Anne Taylor-Czaplewski May 2002 |