B. Everett Jordan
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Everett Jordan (September 8, 1896 – March 15, 1974) was a Democratic U.S. Senator
from the state of North Carolina
from 1958 until 1973. He lived most of his life in Alamance County, North Carolina
.
Born in Randolph County, North Carolina
, Jordan served overseas in the United States Army
during World War I
. In the 1920s, he entered the textile business when an uncle asked him to run a recently purchased mill in Saxapahaw, North Carolina
, renamed Sellers Manufacturing Co. Eventually, Jordan bought the mill and ran it successfully for decades, turning management over to his sons, Benjamin Everett Jordan, Jr., and John M. Jordan, while attending to his duties in the Senate. He became increasingly active in the North Carolina Democratic Party
, serving as state party chairman and then as a member of the Democratic National Committee
. He attended Duke University
, which later awarded him an honorary doctoral degree.
When Senator W. Kerr Scott
died in office in 1958, Governor Luther Hodges appointed Jordan to the seat, to which he was elected by the people shortly thereafter. He was re-elected to the Senate
in 1960 and 1966. In the latter year, Jordan defeated the Republican
John Shallcross, 501,440 (55.6 percent) to 400,502 (44.4 percent). Jordan was unseated in the 1972 Democratic primary by Congressman Nick Galifianakis
of Durham
. Jordan polled only 44.6 percent in the primary, to 55.5 percent for Galifianakis. Galifianakis in turn was defeated by Republican Jesse Helms
in the general election. At the time, Jordan was 76 and his health was beginning to fail; Jordan died in 1974. Like most southern senators, he was a supporter of segregation
.
In a move unusual for a southern senator, Jordan, who had supported the Gulf of Tonkin resolution
in 1964, later joined a majority of senators in calling for American forces to be brought home. At this, his senior colleague, Sam Ervin
, asked him, "Everett, have you lost your mind?"
B. Everett Jordan Lake
, in Chatham County, North Carolina
, is named for Senator Jordan, as well as the elementary school in Saxapahaw, North Carolina
, B. Everett Jordan Elementary School, part of the Alamance-Burlington School System
.
He was married to Katherine McLean Jordan. He had two sons and one daughter, Roseanne Jordan Gant.
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from the state of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
from 1958 until 1973. He lived most of his life in Alamance County, North Carolina
Alamance County, North Carolina
Alamance County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It coincides with the Burlington, North Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Born in Randolph County, North Carolina
Randolph County, North Carolina
-Notable people:*Naomi Wise, murder victim*Richard Petty - Nascar driver.*Lee Petty - Nascar pioneer. Richard Petty's father.*Kyle Petty - Nascar driver. Son of Richard Petty*Adam Petty - Nascar driver. Kyle Petty's son...
, Jordan served overseas in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. In the 1920s, he entered the textile business when an uncle asked him to run a recently purchased mill in Saxapahaw, North Carolina
Saxapahaw, North Carolina
Saxapahaw is a census-designated place in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, renamed Sellers Manufacturing Co. Eventually, Jordan bought the mill and ran it successfully for decades, turning management over to his sons, Benjamin Everett Jordan, Jr., and John M. Jordan, while attending to his duties in the Senate. He became increasingly active in the North Carolina Democratic Party
North Carolina Democratic Party
The North Carolina Democratic Party is the North Carolina affiliate of the national Democratic Party in the United States. It is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. They are located in the historic Goodwin house which is located in the downtown area of Raleigh at 220 Hillsborough Street...
, serving as state party chairman and then as a member of the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
. He attended Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
, which later awarded him an honorary doctoral degree.
When Senator W. Kerr Scott
W. Kerr Scott
William Kerr Scott was a Democratic Party politician from North Carolina. He was the 62nd Governor of North Carolina from 1949 until 1953 and a United States Senator from 1954 until 1958.-Biography:...
died in office in 1958, Governor Luther Hodges appointed Jordan to the seat, to which he was elected by the people shortly thereafter. He was re-elected to the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 1960 and 1966. In the latter year, Jordan defeated the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
John Shallcross, 501,440 (55.6 percent) to 400,502 (44.4 percent). Jordan was unseated in the 1972 Democratic primary by Congressman Nick Galifianakis
Nick Galifianakis
Nick Galifianakis was a Democratic U.S. Congressman from North Carolina between 1967 and 1973.-Life and career:Galifianakis was born in Durham, North Carolina, the son of Greek immigrants Sophia and Mike Galifianakis. Galifianakis attended local public schools and then Duke University, earning a...
of Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
. Jordan polled only 44.6 percent in the primary, to 55.5 percent for Galifianakis. Galifianakis in turn was defeated by Republican Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was a five-term Republican United States Senator from North Carolina who served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to 2001...
in the general election. At the time, Jordan was 76 and his health was beginning to fail; Jordan died in 1974. Like most southern senators, he was a supporter of segregation
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
.
In a move unusual for a southern senator, Jordan, who had supported the Gulf of Tonkin resolution
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution was a joint resolution which the United States Congress passed on August 10, 1964 in response to a sea battle between the North Vietnamese Navy's Torpedo Squadron 10135 and the destroyer on August 2 and an alleged second naval engagement between North Vietnamese boats...
in 1964, later joined a majority of senators in calling for American forces to be brought home. At this, his senior colleague, Sam Ervin
Sam Ervin
Samuel James "Sam" Ervin Jr. was a Democratic Senator from North Carolina from 1954 until 1974. A native of Morganton, Burke County, North Carolina, he liked to call himself a "country lawyer", and often told humorous stories in his Southern drawl...
, asked him, "Everett, have you lost your mind?"
B. Everett Jordan Lake
Jordan Lake
B. Everett Jordan Lake is a reservoir located west of Raleigh and south of Durham in Chatham County, North Carolina, in the United States of America. The northernmost end of the lake actually reaches into southwestern Durham County...
, in Chatham County, North Carolina
Chatham County, North Carolina
Chatham County is a county located in the Piedmont area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 49,329. Its county seat is Pittsboro.-History:...
, is named for Senator Jordan, as well as the elementary school in Saxapahaw, North Carolina
Saxapahaw, North Carolina
Saxapahaw is a census-designated place in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, B. Everett Jordan Elementary School, part of the Alamance-Burlington School System
Alamance-Burlington School System
The Alamance-Burlington School System is a school district covering Alamance County and the city of Burlington. It was created in 1996 by merging the respective systems of the county and city....
.
He was married to Katherine McLean Jordan. He had two sons and one daughter, Roseanne Jordan Gant.