George Gunby Jordan.

O history of the progress and development of Georgia would be complete without a biography of George Gun

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by Jordan, of Columbus. He is now, and has been for years past, prominently identified with many of the larger movements which make for the expansion and development not only of his native State but for the southern section of our country. He is the son of Sylvester Franklin and Rachel (Gunby) Jordan and was born in Sparta, Hancock county, Ga. His ancestors on his father's side came from Scotland and were among the first settlers in the State of Massachusetts. On his mother's side he is descended from English blood,—his maternal ancestors being among the first settlers of the State of Maryland, Gen. John Gunby of Revolutionary fame being a member of this family. Shortly after the Revolutionary War the branch of the Jordan family from which G. Gunby, (as he is popularly known), emigrated to Georgia and settled in Hancock county, the Gunby family residing in Columbia county. The subject of this sketch is one of a family of six, who were born and reared in this famous county and in the village of Sparta, a town which is now and for many years prior to the Civil War was a well known educational center, and was the home of a population of sterling worth and marked characteristics of refinement and culture. Mr. Jordan has inherited from his Scotch and English ancestors those strong traits of character which, when blended, have never failed to develop the best type His father was a merchant, and young Jordan in his boyhood had the advantage of training in the old fashioned academic schools through which the young in those days re

ceived their early education, and which, as it is well known, developed men of high moral worth and excellent qualities. He had just reached that age in his teens when he was ready to pass from the walls of his academy to the larger field of college work when the War between the States was at its height, and being fired with a patriotism, which is inherent in southern youth, he entered the Confederate service, and at the early age of seventeen became a volunteer private, and member of the celebrated Nelson Rangers, an independent cavalry company, which did valiant service and was honored before the close of the war by being made escort company to Lieut. Gen. Stephen D. Lee. On his return from the army in 1865 Mr. Jordan attended school for a short while at his native home.

In 1866 he was offered a position in the office of a wholesale mercantile establishment in Columbus, Ga., which he accepted and where he remained for one year. Here his ability and worth were speedily recognized and at the close of the year he was offered an interest in the business. Just at that time, without his knowledge or solicitation, he was elected treasurer of the Eagle and Phenix Manufacturing Company of Columbus, the largest cotton and woolen manufacturing establishment in the Southern States. After some deliberation as to whether he should select a mercantile pursuit or engage in manufacturing business he selected the latter course, and in January, 1867, began his duties as treasurer and credit man of the above named corporation, with which he remained for twenty years. During the administration of this office, together with that of president by the venerable William H. Young, who was the pioneer of cotton manufacturers in western Georgia, the Eagle and Phenix Manufacturing Company established its reputation as one of the most successful and extensive institutions of its kind in the United States.

In 1875 Mr. Jordan was elected cashier of the Eagle and Phe

nix Savings Bank, a branch of the mill enterprise, which position he occupied for thirteen years. Through his financial ability this institution, during the financial panic of 1873, and subsequent years, proved a great blessing to people in the city of Columbus and the territory contiguous thereto. At the suggestion of Mr. Jordan and through his instrumentality, this Savings Bank at that time issued bills of credit as a circulating medium which for many years locally supplied the great demand for money in the distressing times which followed the final congestion of that period.

As late as 1886 Mr. Jordan was continuously re-elected to both of the above named offices in the Eagle and Phenix Manufacturing Company, but in order to embark in the more extensive business of railroad construction he declined further election in that year. The city of his adoption, which at that time was demanding an outlet to the east by rail, was sadly in need of some one to take the lead. The people readily recognized in Mr. Jordan the man for the occasion. He was made president of the Georgia Midland Construction Company, through which the Georgia Midland and Gulf Railroad was constructed from Columbus to McDonough,—there connecting with the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway, and by that road with Atlanta.

In 1889 he was made General Manager of the Georgia Midland and Gulf Railroad, and during his incumbency as general manager he inaugurated the movement, organized the company, and secured the charter for the Columbus Southern Railroad, which was speedily built and by which the cities of Columbus and Brunswick, Ga., via Albany, were connected. These two railroads have proven to be great factors in the upbuilding of the city of Columbus and they afford, with the other railroads centering there, splendid transportation facilities for the numerous articles of manufacture which are now being sent out from Columbus. Mr. Jordan remained identified with his railroad

enterprises until 1894, when they were absorbed by the larger railroad lines,—the Georgia Midland and Gulf Railroad becoming a part of the Southern Railway system and the Columbus Southern a part of the Seabord Air Line Railway.

In 1888 Mr. Jordan organized the Third National Bank of Columbus, and the year following he organized the Columbus Savings Bank. He was elected president of each of these institutions, and sustains that relation at the present time. These banks are among the strongest and most successful in the State of Georgia.

In July, 1894, having severed his connection with railroad matters entirely, he accepted the appointment of Railroad Commissioner of Georgia, which office was tendered him, unsolicited, by William J. Northen, who was then Governor. His appointment covered the unexpired term of the late Virgil Powers, and he was subsequently appointed to the same office for the full term of six years by Governor Allen D. Candler, but in August, 1904, he resigned the office of Railroad Commissioner. His resignation came very unexpectedly to the people of the State of Georgia, and was accepted by the then Governor, Joseph M. Terrell, with a great deal of reluctance. From the organization of the Georgia Railroad Commission in 1879 to the present time no Commission in the United States has taken a higher stand for ability and influence than that of the State of Georgia, and no man among the very many able members of that Commission has contributed more to the splendid reputation and high character of this able body than the subject of this sketch. He was eminently fair in all of his rulings, both in the railroads and the people, and possessed the confidence of both. His voluntary retirement from this high public office was a source of universal regret.

In 1895 the Eagle and Phenix Manufacturing Company was placed in the hands of receivers by the United States Court.