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John H. Jordan

Dr. John Henry Jordan (March 11, 1870 - September 16, 1912) was an American physician and surgeon. He was the first black doctor in Coweta County, Georgia. Jordan built the county's first black hospital and helped to integrate medicine in the area when white patients began to rely on his expertise.

Biography

Early Life

John Henry Jordan was born on March 11, 1870, in Troup County, Georgia, to Isabella and Berry Jordan. His mother died when he was two years old which is thought to have influenced his desire to become a doctor. Jordan was educated at secondary schools in Hogansville, LaGrange and Owensbyville, Georgia, before matriculating at Clark College in Atlanta. He then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to enroll at Meharry Medical College then known as the Meharry Medical Department at Central Tennessee College. After being forced to take a year off from school to work in order to make money to pay his tuition, Jordan graduated in 1896 as valedictorian of his class.

His Accomplishments

Upon his graduation, Jordan returned to Georgia to practice medicine in his hometown of Hogansville. He became that county's second black doctor. The man who eventually became his father-in-law, Dr. Edward B. Ramsey, was Troup County's first black doctor. Ramsey later became the first black doctor to practice medicine in Houston. Jordan stayed in Hogansville for two years and also taught school to supplement his income. He moved to nearby Coweta County in 1898 and married Mollie Emma Ramsey. The couple had two sons. Only one, Edward, survived infancy.

Jordan devoted his life to health care and bettering the lives of Coweta County's black citizens. He started a Medical Aid Organization to educate his patients about health issues and proper hygiene. He also built and operated the first hospital for black patients in the county. In addition, Jordan bought land across the county and rented out some of it to area black residents in order to help them eventually own the land themselves. His reputation as an astute physician and surgeon soon led white families to call on him for his expertise.

Death

Jordan's career ended suddenly when on September 14, 1912, his car stalled while he was on his way to a house call. As he examined his gas tank, a bystander struck a match, igniting fumes from the gas which caused an explosion. John was fatally burned and died two days later at the age of 42. In newspaper accounts from the time, Jordan was referred to as "one of the best types of his race, and his death is regretted by all classes." His integrated funeral was held at Newnan Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church.

Legacy

Coweta County's first low-income housing development was named in his honor: J.H. Jordan Homes.

Jordan's likeness was painted on a mural in downtown Newnan.

Further Reading

Caldwell, Arthur Bunyan (1917). History of the American Negro and His Institutions, A.B. Caldwell Publishing.

Banks, Bill (2001) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Sharing Untold Stories."

Newnan-Coweta Historical Society. History of Coweta County, Georgia.

Jordan, Karen (2003) The Tennessean, "From a Dream to a Legacy."

Jordan, Karen (2004) Interpreter Magazine, "Meharry Legacy Continues."

Jordan, Karen (2008) Newnan Coweta Magazine, "A Great-Grandfather's Legacy."

External Links

John Henry Jordan, www.blackpast.org

To Know Him, www.karenjordanwrites.com