John Boyle Gordon

As printed in 1882

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 History of Boone County, Missouri (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.