Leonard "Len" Beck Jordan - served 1962 to 1973

Leonard Jordan was born in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah, on May 15, 1899. He was educated in the public schools of Enterprise, Oregon and enlisted in the United States Army during the First World War. After the war, he graduated from University of Oregon in 1923. In his private life, he was a farmer, rancher, businessman, and economic adviser. He was also the director of the Circle C Ranch and of the Jordan Motor Co.

Jordan moved to Grangeville, Idaho, in 1941. He became a member of the State legislature in 1947 and served until 1949. In 1951, he was elected Governor of Idaho. He became chairman of the International Joint Commission in 1957. Jordan was a member of the International Development Advisory Board from 1958 to 1959.

He was then appointed as a Republican to the United States Senate on August 6, 1962, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry C. Dworshak.

Jordan then was elected November 6, 1962, for remainder of Senator Dworshak's term, ending January 3, 1967. He was re-elected in 1966 and served from August 6, 1962, to January 2, 1973.

He was not a candidate for re-election in 1972. Leonard Jordan was a resident of Boise, Idaho, until his death there June 30, 1983. He is buried at Cloverdale Cemetery.

Bibliography

Jordan, Grace E. The Unintentional Senator. Boise: Syms-York Co., 1972.

Photos provided by the Idaho State Historical Society. Biographical information compiled by Congressional Research Service.

Last updated 04/23/2013