Husband Judge Isaac Grantham Gordon 1 2
Born: 22 Dec 1819 - Lewisburg, Union Co, PA 1
Christened:
Died: 4 Sep 1893 - Brookville, Jefferson Co, PA 3
Buried: - Brookville Cemetery, Brookville, Jefferson Co, PA
Father: Zaccheus Gordon ( - ) 1 4
Mother: Harriet Lewis ( - ) 4
Marriage: 1847 5
Wife Mary Caroline Jenks 5 6
Born: 26 Apr 1829 - Punxsutawney, Jefferson Co, PA 7
Christened:
Died: 19 Feb 1916 3
Buried: - Brookville Cemetery, Brookville, Jefferson Co, PA
Father: Dr. John Wildman Jenks (1793-1850) 8 9
Mother: Mary Dey Barclay (1798-Aft 1850) 8 10
Children
1 F Helen Gordon 3
Born:
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Spouse: William Forster ( - ) 3
2 F Harriet Gordon 3
Born:
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Died:
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Spouse: Rev. William S. Fulton ( - ) 3
3 F Anna M. Gordon 3
Born:
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Spouse: Rev. John M. Richmond ( - ) 3
4 M Cadmus Z. Gordon 4
Born: 8 Jan 1856 - Brookville, Jefferson Co, PA 11
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Spouse: Kate D. Acheson ( - ) 11
Marr: 1887 11
General Notes: Husband - Judge Isaac Grantham Gordon
He was one of that most honorable class of men who are called "self-made"\emdash men who by force of hard work and steady persistent effort raise themselves to eminence among their fellows. Having received\emdash with the exception of a period of three months' tuition in the Lewisburg Academy, which he with difficulty obtained at a subsequent time\emdash but the rudiments of an ordinary English education in the common schools of Lewisburg, he succeeded, by dint of the strictest economy of time\emdash studying closely and earnestly at night and in the intervals of work\emdash in giving himself a classical and scientific education not excelled by many who have enjoyed the full advantages of a university course. When about sixteen years of age, his father fell sick, and by this event the support of the whole family devolved upon him. He accepted the situation, and got employment in the Lewisburg Iron Foundry; in the first instance, as a common laborer, afterwards learning the trade of a moulder. Thus he continued for about two years, with the intention of eventually establishing himself in business as an iron founder. It was not to be so, however. By one of those events called accidents, the whole course of his life was altered. When about eighteen years of age, his left foot was so badly burned by molten iron that he was injured for life. Being thus rendered unable to work, or even to leave the house for many months, through the kindness of his friends in lending him books to alleviate the monotony of his condition, his attention was turned to literature, at first merely as a pastime. But, by degrees, he became more and more interested in literary and scientific pursuits, and acquired a habit of study which "grew with his growth, and strengthened with his strength." The value and importance of mental culture and development being by these means impressed upon him, he determined, by a steady, persevering and systematic course of study, to acquire a more perfect and complete education. This aim, most difficult of realization to one in his circumstances, he accomplished, as already stated, by studying at night, and whenever opportunity offered. As soon as he could manage, with the aid of a stick, to limp to the foundry, he again began work for his father's and family's support. Thus he went on for four years, working hard by day in the dust and roar of the foundry, and, when evening came, sitting down determinedly to his books, and allowing no allurements to draw him away from his self-imposed task. So he acquired, during these years, simply by utilizing the odds and ends of time, a liberal and classical education, and prepared the way for passing to a more congenial occupation. At length, in 1841, he commenced the study of the law in the office of James F. Linn, attorney at law, of Lewisburg, and in the same year joined the communion of the Presbyterian Church. He continued his legal studies for two years, and finally, in April, 1843, received the reward of his toilsome perseverance, by being admitted to practice in the several courts of Union county. In July of the same year, he left Union county, and opened an office in Curwensville, in Clearfield county, shortly afterwards entering into partnership with the Hon. G. R. Barrett. In 1846, he settled in Brookville, the county seat of Jefferson county. Here he continued to reside and practise law until his election to the Supreme Bench, in October, 1873. He served in the Legislatures of 1860 and 1861 for the district composed of Clearfield, Jefferson, Elk, and McKean, and in the latter year became Chairman of the Judiciary Committee General. In 1866, he was appointed by Governor Curtin to the President Judgeship of the Twenty-eighth Judicial District, to serve the unexpired term until the following December. [BEPNC, 265]
On Nov. 5, 1873, he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Supreme court, and on July 14, 1887, became chief justice, in which capacity he served out the remainder of the fifteen-year term for which he had been elected, until Dec. 18, 1888. During his fifteen years on the Supreme bench he was away from home much of the time, but he never relinquished his interest in local affairs, and his closing years were spent in the enjoyment of the home at Brookville. Soon after coming to Brookville Judge Gordon joined the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife was also a member, and they were always among its loyal workers and supporters, the Judge serving as elder for a number of years.