My Genealogy Hound

ABRAM G. GORDON is well known in public and private life as a citizen of high repute in Chester. He was born near Steeleville, this county, November 6, 1849, and is a son of Henry S. and Nancy (Gooding) Gordon. The father was born in Missouri in 1818, and followed the occupation of a farmer. He at the same time was a minister of the Baptist Church and did good work as a preacher during his active life.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, George Gordon, was a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent, his ancestors settling in this country prior to the Revolutionary War. Abram G. was the sixth in order of birth of the large family of ten children born to his parents, nine of whom are still living. He received a good common school education in his native place, and later, when entering McKendree College, in St. Clair County, Ill., there carried on his studies for three years, graduating in 1871.

Having decided to follow the profession of a lawyer, he began reading law in the office of H. H. Horner, who at the time of his attending McKendree College was one of the professors in that institution. He was admitted to the Bar from St. Clair County in 1871, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession. In 1873 he came to Chester, and has worked perseveringly and faithfully in his profession. He is now enjoying the fruits of that industry, being regarded as one of the substantial men of the county.

November 6, 1872, Abram G. Gordon and Miss Clara J. Short were united in marriage. The lady, who was the daughter of R. J. Short, was born in Percy, this county, and by this union has become the mother of three children, Eugene R., Clarice E. and Florence. Socially our subject is a member of Chester Lodge No. 57, I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the Knights of Honor and the Legion of Honor. With his wife he is a consistent member of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Gordon has ever borne a prominent part in the upbuilding and development of this section, and is at present Secretary of the Chester Improvement Company, Chester Hotel Company and Chester Electric Light Company. In addition to the practice of his profession he personally superintends the operations of several fine farms of which he is the owner.