Early life

jhordan was born on the East Coast of the United States in the late 19th century, though the exact date and location are unknown. According to letters contained in the private Renshaw-Bolton Archive, he left the United States for France around 1908.

The letters imply that he was expected to join the family’s business interests but chose instead to pursue artistic work abroad, causing some tension within his family. Paris, at the time, was a center of artistic and cultural experimentation, making it an attractive destination for aspiring designers and creatives.