The Gordon Families of Boone County, Missouri

JOHN BOYLE GORDON, DECEASED.

John Boyle Gordon was born in Milford, Madison county, Kentucky, his father, David Gordon, was a native of North Carolina who emigrated to Kentucky in an early day, and by shrewd management and energy, laid the foundation of a considerable fortune. After establishing himself in business, in Madison county, he married Miss Jane boyle, sister of John Boyle, chief justice of Kentucky. Mrs. Adams, other of Judge Washington Adams, of Missouri, is also another ster. The subject of this sketch was brought up on the farm and as early injured to all the hardships of farm life, but had little appreciation of agricultural pursuits. He attended the country schools of inter and studied hard between sessions until he was prepared to teach school. He taught until he had procured means to place himself at Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky, some twenty miles from his father's home. There, under the instructions of Horace [olby, he made rapid progress in his chosen profession. He spent two years at this institution, being limited to that period for the want of means. He returned home sorely puzzled as to what course to pursue, as his father seemed not at all disposed to further his designs I procuring a legal education. In this dilemma, he approached W. Caperton, an eminent lawyer of the Richmond bar, who generously pended to his appeal, giving him all the instruction in his power, ttd advancing him the means he stood so much in need of. Returnig to Transylvania, be completed his course and was admitted to le bar. He commenced his professional career at the Richmond bar y forming a partnership with Col. John Speed Smith, brother-in-law ) Cassius M. Clay. When thoroughly established in business, he laiTied Miss Sophia, daughter of Nicholas Hawkins, a well-to-do immer of Madison county. In 1826, David Gordon, the father of ohn B., resolved to emigrate to Columbia, Missouri, and his son came with him. At the time of their advent, Columbia contained but two r three houses, rude cabins hardly worthy the name of houses, hey found the people of Boone county, even at this early date, very luch absorbed in politics, being about equally divided between the big and Democratic parties. The subject of this sketch, being an rent Whig, at once entered the arena of politics. He was directly boden candidate for the legislature and elected. At the subsequent lection he was returned, and so on for five or six times in succession, 'his was between 1830 and 1840. He was never beaten for office.

During this time he was associated in the law business with Austin A. King, afterwards governor of the State. King was a Democrat and was once beaten by his partner. In 1839-40, when* the location of th State University was to be settled between Cole, Cooper, Gallic way, Boone and Howard — the county subscribing the most to get the institution — John B. Gordon took the stump, assisted by Hon. James S. Rollins. By their united efforts, and the unprecedented liberality of the people, Boone secured the University. About this time Mr. Gordon took his younger brother, James M. Gordon, into his office and prepared him for the bar and for a life of future usefulness and honor. In 1840 Mr. Gordon returned to Kentucky, and resumed the practice of his profession. His great success as a lawyer drew about him a number of young men eager to learn of him and to profit by his profound knowledge of law, among whom was Judge Samuel Miller, now one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Gordon remained in Kentucky for about three years when he returned to Columbia and gradually retired from the active duties of his profession. He had six 'children, four sons and two daughters. Martha, the eldest of the daughters, married Judge Robert H. Clinkscales, formerly a prominent business man of Columbia, and for a brief period judge of the county court. Ida, the second daughter, married Prof. Oren Root, Jr., formerly connected with the State University. Boyle, the eldest son, has been an able practitioner at the Columbia bur for many years, and a professor of law in the State University. Wellington and Carey arc also well-known attorneys of Columbia, Missouri. John B. Gordon, or '* Jack,'' as he was familiarly called, died on his farm, near Columbia, February 13th, 1855, ( ?)at the age of fifty-five years.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Boyle Gordon is a native of Madison county, Kentucky, the home of many of our best citizens, and the native county of the parents or many more. There is scarcely a neighborhood in Boone but has representatives from this good old county, which gave so liberally of her best citizens to people Boone and other counties of Missouri. It seems strange that so many people could have left one county without in a great measure depopulating it. Visitors from that portion of Kentucky are forcibly impressed with the similarity of the people of Boone as compared with their own. The reason is obvious: Central Kentucky is virtually the parent of Boone county, and the resemblance is the natural result of a natural cause. Mr. Gordon was born December 8th, 1825, and came to Boone county in the fall of 1826. He remained in Columbia until 1840, when he returned to Kentucky, where he remained for three years attending school. He returned to Boone, and entered the old Columbia Seminary, finishing his education at the State University. At the age of twenty-five he commenced the study of law in the office of his father, John Boyle Gordon, then a prominent attorney at the Columbia bar. Was admitted to the practice of law when twenty-seven years of age, and followed the profession without intermission until he retired from practice in 1872. He was appointed assistant professor of law in the State University, which position he holds at this writing. Mr. Gordon was first married, in 1863, to Miss Susan Watson, of Kails county, Missouri. She did not survive their marriage but one year, dying in 1864 He was elected to the Legislature from Columbia district in 1864, serving two sessions. In 1875, Governor Hardin appointed him judge of the Boone county court, which office he declined. Mr Gordon has been quite successful in the practice of law. From 1856 to 1862, he was in partnership with General Guitar, the firm commanding all the practice they could well attend to. Jidy loth, 1867, Mr. Gordon was married to Ann Grentry, daughter of Col. Richard Gentry, who was killed in the Florida war. Hr. Gordon owns a nice farm one and one half miles southeast of Colambii on the Columbia and Ashland gravel road. The farm contains thm hundred acres well improved and pleasantly situated. During the war Mr. Gordon was a consistent Union man, but took no part in the struggle. Since the war he has voted the Democratic ticket. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, having united with that denomination more than forty years ago. Mr. Gordon has had two children by his second wife. His daughter Annie, died April 5th, 1879i His son Maishall, bom April 6th, 1869, is still living. The remains of the old Black mill, one of the first water mills ever erected in Boone county, is situated on Mr. Gordon's place. It was built as far back as 1839. It is situated on the Hinkson Croei[. Mr. Gordon has a fine collection of Indian pottery, arrow-heads and stone axes, and takes much interest in those relics. He is an affable gentleman, firm in his opinions and resolute in maintaining them.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Wellington Gordon is the son of Hon. John B. and Sophia (Hawkins) Gordon, and was born in Columbia, Mo., January 31st, 1838. His father, John B., was boni in Milford, Madison county, Kentucky, and was educated principally at Transylvania University, of Lexington, Kentucky. He studied law in the office of W. H. Caperton, of the Richmond bar, and was admitted to practice, forming a most happy partnership with Col. John Speed Smith, one of Kentucky's ablest lawyers. After a few years of successful practice he married Miss Sophia Hawkins, daughter of Nicholas Hawkins, who had emigrated to Kentucky from Virginia some years before — 1826. The whole family of Gordons came to Columbia, Boone county, Missouri. Missouri, about this time, was receiving the best class of immigrants, and Boone county a very large proportion. Politics, being the legitimate, honored business of the most enlightened, soon called forth all the energies and talents of John, who carried the county for the Whigs, and was elected to represent Boone county in the Legislature for five successive terms, from 1830 to 1840. It is to the eloquence and energy of John B. Gordon that Columbia is indebted more than to any other man for the location of the State University at Columbia. In 1840 he returned to Kentucky, practicing his profession and lecturing on law to the young men of the State, who came to sit at hu feet, '' learning the law their fathers loved." Returning to Missouri, he retired from active practice, and devoted his time to the instruction of his children, who have since shown themselves worthy such a sire. He died February 13th, 1853, ( at the age of fifty-five years. He left a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. Martha, the eldest daughter, married Judge Robert H. Clinkscales. Ida married Prof. Oren Root, Jr. Boyle, the oldest son, is now professor of law in the University. Emmett, Wellington, our subject, and Carey. Wellington was educated at the University, taking the full classical course of four years. When a boy he was deputy circuit clerk in the office of R. L. Todd for about fifteen months. Then he studied law in the office ot his brother Boyle, completing the course in 159, and opened aii office in Kansas City, where he remained until the spring of 1860. He then went to Carrollton and practiced his profession for about a year, when he returned to Columbia, and practiced in the office of Guitar & Gordon until 1865. In 1866 he was elected county attorney, and served until 1872, when he was endorsed by an election to the office of prosecuting attorney, which office he filled acceptably for two years. Since that time Mr. Gordon has devoted his time and talents to his lucrative practice in conjunction with his brother, C. H. Gordon. He was married December 13th, 1866, to Miss Laura Amonett, daughter of Judge James Amonett, formerly of Virginia. Mrs. Gordon, nee Amonett, was born in Louisiana, and at the age of thirteen removed to the city of Memphis, Teim., where she was living at the time of her marriage. Their union has been blessed with five children — Kate, Reverdy, Fleetwood, Ida and Mattie. Mr. Gordon has a fine residence in the northeastern part of Columbia. He is regarded as an able lawyer and a thorough gentleman.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CAREY H. GORDON.

Carey H. Gordon is the sou of John B. and Sophia (Hawkins) Gordon. He was born in Columbia, Missouri, June loth, 1844, and was educated at the State University, attending the literary department of that institution for three years, and afterwards the law department for two years. Commenced the practice of law in 1872 Nrith his brother, Wellington Gordon, at Columbia. In 1864 he enlisted as a private in company B, 9th Missouri State Militia, and served three years, leaving the army in March, 1865. In August, 1863, he was transferred to a newly organized company of which he was made second lieutenant. Was at the battle of Kirksville, in Adair county, August, 1862. Was afterwards on a scout with ten men, some ten miles from Liberty, in Clay county, Missouri, when they came in conflict with Jesse James and his band. Two of Gordon's ities were wounded and two horses shot. Three of the James band were wounded, the noted outlaw being of the number, losing one of his fingers. He sent Gordon word the next day, offering him a horse and a suit of clothes if he would come to Kearney, Clay county, by himself. Gordon returned answer that he was not in need of a horse nor of clothing. Mr. Gordon resigned and left the service in March, 1865, to prosecute his studies at the State University. He was married in 1876 to Miss Julia Long, of Bridgeton, St. Louis county, Missouri. They have four children, two sons and two daughters: Boyle Jr., Edwin, Clara and Sophia. Mr. Gordon is a member of the Christian church. Mrs. Gordon is a member of the Baptist church. He. is also a member of the order of K. of P. He has followed farming in connection with his law practice since entering upon the active duties of Jife. He has a good farm of 332 acres situated two miles east of Columbia, on the Fulton gravel road. Mr. Gordon has a liberal share of practice at the Columbia bar. His father, John B. Gordon, was in his day one of the ablest lawyers in central Missouri. He represented his county in the legislature for sixteen years.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

TURNER S. GORDON.

Turner S. Gordon, proprietor of the Centralia brick kiln, was born in Boone county, Missouri, April 26th, 1848. He is the son of 'William J. Gordon, for many years one of the proprietors of an extensive wagon, plow and repair shop at Columbia, Missouri, which did a large business in the manufacture of agricultural implements and general repairing. The blacksmithing was under the supervision of Mr. Gordon, while the woodwork was made the specialty of his partner, Mr. Anderson. They used slave labor principally, and when the negroes were set free by the war, Mr. Gordon left the shop and engaged in the livery business, which he followed up to his death, in 1872. George W. Gordon, grandfather of Turner, came to Boone county about fifty-two years ago. He was of Scotch-Irish origin. The subject of this sketch was educated at the Missouri State University. In 1868 he married Miss Leona, daughter of Gen. Bolton. Her parents having died when she was a small child, she was brought up in the home of her uncle, Gen. Thomas L. Price, of Jefferson Citv. She was educated at the Moravian Female College, in Pennsylvania. They have two sons living and one dead. In 1877 Mr. Gordon em marked in the brick-making business, which he has followed ever since. He moved to Mexico in 1881, where his family now reside. Purchased his present business, with land attached, in March, 1882. Mr. Gordon is a member of the Christian church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.