Isaac Jordan was born on a farm in Mifflinburg of Union County, PA, on May 5, 1835. In 1837 he and his family moved to Springfield, Ohio, where he grew up. Jordan attended Northwood Ohio Institute for two years and then went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. At age 21 he became one of the founding members of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Miami University. The standard he set in admitting members became known as the Jordan Standard. He graduated from Miami in 1857, was admitted to the bar in 1858, and after practicing briefly in Dayton, he moved his office to Cincinnati in 1859.

Jordan later helped organize the Cincinnati alumni chapter of Sigma Chi in 1881. In 1882 and 1884, he played a part in the planning of the 14th and 15th Grand Chapters, even serving as Orator of the 15th Chapter.

In 1882, Jordan won election to Congress as a Democrat, representing the 2nd District of Ohio in the 48th Congress. Though he ran in a fairly strong Republican district, Jordan won his election quite easily. Jordan declined to run for re-nomination in 1884, and instead returned to practicing law in Cincinnati.

Isaac Jordan died on December 3, 1890, from injuries received in an elevator accident in Cincinnati. He had been about to enter the elevator in his law offices, but while turning to greet a friend, the elevator continued upward with the door to the shaft still open. Not having noticed the elevator's ascent, Jordan turned again and fell through the open shaft. Jordan had been greatly respected and loved while he lived, and people mourned his death throughout southwestern Ohio. The city of Cincinnati viewed his death as a great tragedy and closed all courts and public businesses that day in his honor. Isaac Jordan was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery.

Sources:
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Wikipedia
Sigma Chi Founders website: http://www.beloit.edu/~sigmachi/Home.htm

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