My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM A. GORDON, M. D. The profession of the physician perhaps is the most trying on brain and body of any in the field of science, for it absorbs the attention of him who practices it conscientiously both day and night. From a boy Dr. Gordon desired to become a physician, and ever since devoting his attention to the healing art has received a portion of his reward in this world, for he has the confidence, respect and esteem of his fellow-men.

Our subject was born in Ross, Ohio, January 22, 1820, and is the son of Alexander and Margery (Boggs) Gordon. The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1789, and departed this life in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1859. His good wife preceded him to the better land by many years, dying in Ohio in 1833.

The subject of this sketch was one in a family of five children. He and his brother, John, who resides in Des Moines, Iowa, are the only ones living. William received his primary education in the schools of his native place, and later attended the Ohio University at Athens. After completing his studies he taught school until the year 1842, when he came west to Robibaux Point, now St. Joseph, Mo., where he was ill for ten months. Upon recovering from his sickness he taught school until he had saved money enough to leave the place, when he came to this county. Here he found an opportunity to carry out his long cherished plan of becoming a physician, and read medicine in the office of James C. Junk. Later entering the Louisville Medical College in Kentucky, Mr. Gordon took a full course in that institution. In 1845 he formed a partnership with Dr. Ashby Jones, of Steeleville, this state. In 1854 he graduated from the St. Louis Medical College.

In 1848, Dr. Gordon came to this city, where he was engaged in practice on the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, joining the ranks of the Union army, and becoming a surgeon in the Thirtieth Illinois Infantry. He remained in the service until September 27, 1864, and during that time was a prisoner seven months, being captured at the battle of Belmont, Mo., November 7, 1861.

After the establishment of peace, Dr. Gordon returned to Chester, where he has since been engaged practicing medicine. In 1884, he was appointed Medical Examiner on the Pension Board, holding this until 1888, and in 1894, he was re-appointed to the same position. The lady to whom our subject was married October 26, 1845, was Miss Adeline S., only daughter of Dr. Ashby Jones, of Steeleville. To them were born four sons and six daughters, of whom seven are living, namely: Nellie, Mrs. William R. McKenzie; Octavia, Mrs. David More; Adeline B., Mrs. Charles H. Grimes; John Arthur; Harry; Frankie W., Mrs. S. D. Lindsey; and Jessie B., Mrs. A. S. Bower, of Salt Lake City.

In his political relations our subject is an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and has served as a member of the School Board for the past twenty-two years. He is President of the Southern Illinois Stock and Agricultural Association, and also holds membership with the Southern Illinois Medical Association. Socially he is a member of Kaskaskia Lodge No. 86, A. F. & A. M., in which order he takes great interest. He has a beautiful residence located on Sparta Street, and is a man who commands the respect of all who know him.