Janda House
The jutting, varied rooflines and busy stylishness of this house on Abbott Street nicely reflects the various histories of its owners, accommodating generations of many children and long-lived marriages._x000D_ _x000D_ Arriving in Stillwater in about 1856 from Michigan, lumberman Peter Jourdain and his wife, Mary, first occupied the Putz house (Landmark home at 812 Harriet) with daughters Elizabeth and Rosa (adopted) beginning in 1862. Their successes were sufficient to allow them to build this fashionable Eastlake/Stick-style home sited amid six lots in about 1880. _x000D_ _x000D_ While never as well known as other lumber barons, Peter Jourdain owned a "logs and lumber" business with Samuel Mathews, occupying an office at 110 South Main Street. Some records suggest that Peter was the son of a voyageur, and his marriage to French-speaking Mary De Mars meant that the family had less in common with many Eastern and Protestant establishment lumber families in the St. Croix Valley._x000D_ _x000D_ The Jourdains enjoyed community events, including their attendance at St. Josephs Catholic church-- the "French church" as noted in the St. Paul Daily Globe (June 12, 1884). At one church bazaar, the young "Misses Jourdain" were among those selected for inclusion in a contest for the "most popular and best looking lady, [causing] quite a furor among the young gents." The furor seems to have been justified, as daughter "Lizzie" wed suitor Alexander Richard in 1886. "After the ceremony at the church there was served at the Jourdain residence, corner of Martha and Abbot Streets, an elegant wedding breakfast, only the immediate family of the bride an a few most intimate friends being present." (St. Paul Daily Globe, May 5, 1886)_x000D_ _x000D_ Through the 1890s, the house was occupied by various members of the extended Jourdain family, as the Jourdains are said to have adopted six nieces and nephews upon the death of Peter`s brother and sister-in-law, with a "boys dormitory" in the attic. Nephews Clarence and Louis Jourdain served as clerks with local businesses. City directory entries indicate that household business was attended to by various young "domestics," including Marie Cennat in 1890 and Augusta Ingstrom in 1894, likely under the supervision of Mary Jourdain._x000D_ _x000D_ By 1910, the elderly Jourdains (with Peter age 77, his wife Mary age 80) still occupied the home, with census records indicating that they were attended by 28-year-old niece, Olivia. In 1911, the Jourdains were able to celebrate 50 years of marriage. Peter died in 1916, his wife in 1919. Both outlived daughter Elizabeth`s husband, Alexander, who died in 1910, leaving her with eight children. The 1920 census suggests she occupied this home or a nearby home (812 in census) on Abbott at this time. _x000D_ _x000D_ In 1923, Elizabeth Richard sold the home to the Janda family; she died in August, 1924._x000D_ _x000D_ The house soon became known as the "Janda house," thanks to Louis and Mary Janda`s prominent community roles as proprietors of the downtown Janda`s Department Store. The Janda family occupied the home with seven children. By 1924 they contracted with local builder Emil Biegung for $1000 to add a room on the second floor, as well as a sleeping porch, a fashionable architectural element considered conducive to healthful sleeping._x000D_ _x000D_ By 1930, three adult children still lived in the home, then valued at $7000, with their parents. Daughters Marcella and Colletta had joined the Janda enterprise and purchased the store when Louis died in 1935. Marys death occurred in 1941._x000D_ _x000D_ Upon Marcella`s death in 1976, the house was sold to the Foster family, who were also able to celebrate 50 years of marriage while living in the home.
Janda House
The jutting, varied rooflines and busy stylishness of this house on Abbott Street nicely reflects the various histories of its owners, accommodating generations of many children and long-lived marriages._x000D_ _x000D_ Arriving in Stillwater in about 1856 from Michigan, lumberman Peter Jourdain and his wife, Mary, first occupied the Putz house (Landmark home at 812 Harriet) with daughters Elizabeth and Rosa (adopted) beginning in 1862. Their successes were sufficient to allow them to build this fashionable Eastlake/Stick-style home sited amid six lots in about 1880. _x000D_ _x000D_ While never as well known as other lumber barons, Peter Jourdain owned a "logs and lumber" business with Samuel Mathews, occupying an office at 110 South Main Street. Some records suggest that Peter was the son of a voyageur, and his marriage to French-speaking Mary De Mars meant that the family had less in common with many Eastern and Protestant establishment lumber families in the St. Croix Valley._x000D_ _x000D_ The Jourdains enjoyed community events, including their attendance at St. Josephs Catholic church-- the "French church" as noted in the St. Paul Daily Globe (June 12, 1884). At one church bazaar, the young "Misses Jourdain" were among those selected for inclusion in a contest for the "most popular and best looking lady, [causing] quite a furor among the young gents." The furor seems to have been justified, as daughter "Lizzie" wed suitor Alexander Richard in 1886. "After the ceremony at the church there was served at the Jourdain residence, corner of Martha and Abbot Streets, an elegant wedding breakfast, only the immediate family of the bride an a few most intimate friends being present." (St. Paul Daily Globe, May 5, 1886)_x000D_ _x000D_ Through the 1890s, the house was occupied by various members of the extended Jourdain family, as the Jourdains are said to have adopted six nieces and nephews upon the death of Peter`s brother and sister-in-law, with a "boys dormitory" in the attic. Nephews Clarence and Louis Jourdain served as clerks with local businesses. City directory entries indicate that household business was attended to by various young "domestics," including Marie Cennat in 1890 and Augusta Ingstrom in 1894, likely under the supervision of Mary Jourdain._x000D_ _x000D_ By 1910, the elderly Jourdains (with Peter age 77, his wife Mary age 80) still occupied the home, with census records indicating that they were attended by 28-year-old niece, Olivia. In 1911, the Jourdains were able to celebrate 50 years of marriage. Peter died in 1916, his wife in 1919. Both outlived daughter Elizabeth`s husband, Alexander, who died in 1910, leaving her with eight children. The 1920 census suggests she occupied this home or a nearby home (812 in census) on Abbott at this time. _x000D_ _x000D_ In 1923, Elizabeth Richard sold the home to the Janda family; she died in August, 1924._x000D_ _x000D_ The house soon became known as the "Janda house," thanks to Louis and Mary Janda`s prominent community roles as proprietors of the downtown Janda`s Department Store. The Janda family occupied the home with seven children. By 1924 they contracted with local builder Emil Biegung for $1000 to add a room on the second floor, as well as a sleeping porch, a fashionable architectural element considered conducive to healthful sleeping._x000D_ _x000D_ By 1930, three adult children still lived in the home, then valued at $7000, with their parents. Daughters Marcella and Colletta had joined the Janda enterprise and purchased the store when Louis died in 1935. Marys death occurred in 1941._x000D_ _x000D_ Upon Marcella`s death in 1976, the house was sold to the Foster family, who were also able to celebrate 50 years of marriage while living in the home.
Posted Date
Sep 28, 2021
Source Name
Heirloom Homes and Landmark
