Charles Henry Jourdan, Professor of Mathematics at Mount
St. Mary’s College, Emmitsburg. Frederick County, Md.,
was born, February 24, 1830, in Forcalquier Provifice,
France. His father was Antoine Jourdan, and his mother
Francoise Bremond Jourdan. They raised a family of seven
children, five girls and two boys. Charles Henry was the
youngest of the family. One of his sisters, Francoise
Jourdan, is still living at Forcalquier. In 1871 his
elder brother, Jerome Jourdan. brought his wife and
children to the United States and settled in New York,
where he and his wife died, leaving one son, Henry J.
Jourdan, who resides in New York.
Charles H. Jourdan was educated in the public schools
and colleges of his native land. Mathematics and
Physical sciences were his favorite studies. He taught
in public schools in France until 1861, when he
emigrated to America, and spent four years in Montreal,
Canada, teaching French and mathematics in some of the
best schools of that city. In 1865, Professor Jourdan
was called to Mount St. Mary’s College, Emmitsburg,
Md., to take charge of the department of mathematics,
physics and chemistry. Professor Jourdan has been
connected with Mount St. Mary’s College since 1865.
During that time he was absent from the college for five
years, one year was spent in Parras, state of Coahuila,
Mexico, and four years at Seton Hall College, South
Orange, N. J. He returned to Mount St. Mary’s in 1895.
Professor Jourdan has won for himself an enviable
position in educational circles. When he came to
America, he enjoyed the friendship of Joseph Henry, the
eminent scientist, whose statue stands in Washington. P.
C. and, through him, Professor Jourdan formed the
acquaintance of distinguished educators throughout the
country. When Cornell University was founded, in 1868,
President White, the first president of the new
institution, invited Professor Jourdan to take the chair
of mathematics, but the professor had become so much
attached to Mount St. Mary’s college, that he declined
the honor. Under his care the department of mathematics
has become very effective in this college.
On July 6, 1871, Professor Jourdan was married to
Adelaide, youngest daughter of Dr. Henry Dielman, famous
as a musical composer. Their children are: 1, Frances,
died in Mexico during his father’s residence in that
country; 2, Flora (Mrs. Frank A. Roddy), of Thurmont,
Md.; 3, Edith, at home. Professor Jourdan’s home,
Pleasant Level. is a fine farm of sixty acres, one mile
from the college.
Return to
index on Emmitsburg names in
William's History of Frederick County
Do you
know of an individual who helped shape Emmitsburg?
If so, send their story to us at: history@emmitsburg.net
