Born Eleanor Borton, in Cleveland, Ohio to Frederick Samuel and Harriette Borton, nee Brown, Eleanor Borton lived a life that could have been written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A stellar student, and Brown University graduate, with a sharp wit and healthy sense of self and humor, Ms. Borton married into family of the late James A. Garfield when she wed the late President’s grandson Rudolph Borton. Borton also served as the mayor of Mentor, Ohio between 1952 and 1956. During her tenure, Mrs. Garfield secured the help of some of Cleveland’s most well-heeled families, including Leonard Hanna who helped her administration acquire the Newell estate for a park. In 1980, long after she left office, the City of Mentor dedicated the park in her honor.
However, as young Eleanor Borton, a vivacious Cleveland socialite, she also is credited with stirring the mind of Industrialist (Edward S.) Ned Jordon, who created a classic American automobile from her suggestion. As Jordon told the story in his autobiography “Dancing one night at the Mayfield Country Club, Cleveland, with a real outdoor girl, Eleanor Borton. ‘Why don’t you build a swanky roadster for the girl who loves to swim and paddle and shoot, and for the boy who loves the roar of the cutout”’ asked Eleanor. ‘Girl, you’ve given me an idea worth a million dollars! Thanks for the best dance I’ve ever had. I’m leaving for New York.’” From that encounter, Jordan developed the iconic Jordan Playboy roadster, and to thank Borton, she was handed the keys to a 1919 model by Jordan as his way of thanking her. The car would go on to inspire Jordan to write his iconic “Somewhere West of Laramie” advertising copy that changed the way American car companies sold their automobiles through advertising. Though the final Jordan was built in 1931, Jordan Playboys are fully accredited by the Antique Automobile Club of America.
(bio courtesy SHaley)