Person Page - 114

     Leona was born in June 1899 at in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA. She was the daughter of George Morley Gordon and Cora Maude Frampton. Leona died an unknown date .

     Leroy was born on 4 August 1883 at Victoria, Knox County, Illinois, USA. He was the son of Albinus Nance Gordon and Emma Cecilia Smith. He married Myrle Rice on 26 May 1934.¹ Leroy (Roy) Smith Gordon was buried in February 1949 at Galva, Henry County, Illinois, USA. Leroy died 20 February 1949 at age 65.

     Lester was born on 28 January 1891 at Saint Paul, Howard County, Nebraska, USA. He was the son of James Philander Gordon and Emily (Emma) Anthus Richards. Lester died 6 February 1891 at Saint Paul, Howard County, Nebraska, USA.

     Maggie was born at Knox County, Illinois, USA. She was the daughter of Alexander Gordon and Johanna (Hannah) Goodman. Maggie died an unknown date .

     Maggie was born on 27 January 1868 at Tondu, Llangynwyd Lower, Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales.¹ She was the daughter of James Gordon and Elizabeth McKean. She married George Dudley Napier circa 1890. Maggie died on 25 February 1961 of pneumonia at at Bethesda Hospital, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA, at age 93.¹ She was buried on 27 February 1961 at in Oakland Cemetery, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA.^2,1
     Maggie immigrated to at Minnesota, USA, circa 1888.¹ Maggie was employed as a homemaker at in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA, circa 1890.¹

     She was christened on 11 September 1820, at Kirkmabreck Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.¹ Margaret was born on 11 September 1820 at Claughreid, Kirkmabreck Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.² She was the daughter of James Gordon and Jean (Jane) Heron. She married John McDowell Jr. on 27 April 1843 at Claughreid, Kirkmabreck Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. A marriage announcement in the Wigtown Free Press on 11 May 1843 read:
At Claughread, parish of Kirkmabreck, on the 27th ult. by the Rev. Mr. Muir, Mr. John M'Dowall, to Margaret Gordon, only daughter of Mr. James Gordon, farmer there.



They were married in the Church of Scotland, Kirkmabreck Parish..¹ Margaret died 17 December 1881 at Knox County, Illinois, USA, at age 61.³ She was buried in December 1881 at in John Knox Cemetery (Old Scotch Cmty), Copley Township, Knox County, Illinois, USA.

     Margaret was born circa 1796 at Balhasie, Creetown, Kirkmabreck Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. She was the daughter of (Unknown Given Name) Gordon and Marrion (Unknown Surname). She married John Haugh circa 1814 at Balhasie, Creetown, Kirkmabreck Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Margaret died 24 April 1850 at Balhasie, Creetown, Kirkmabreck Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. She was buried in April 1850 at in Creetown Parish Cemetery, Creetown, Creetown Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.²

     Margaret was born on 14 March 1858 at Newsham, North Yorkshire, England.¹ She was the daughter of James Gordon and Elizabeth McKean. Margaret died after 1942 at Isle of Man.
     Warren M Gordon Jr., grand nephew of Margaret, stated that on his way to Europe during World War II, his troop carrier stopped in Ireland. He stated that he visted Margaret E. Gordon on the Isle of Man. The family story was that she was the only child of James Gordon and Elizabeth McKean who didn't come to the United States because "she was afraid of the Indians".

     Mark Gordon is the son of Donald James Gordon and Judith Rose Pfister. Mark Gordon married Kalen (Unknown Surname).

     Mary was born circa 1771.¹ She married James Muir circa 1795. Mary died 24 January 1824 at Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.¹ She was buried in January 1824 at in Anwoth Cemetery, Gatehouse of Fleet, Anwoth Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.²

     Mary was born on 4 March 1884 at Copley Township, Knox County, Illinois, USA. She was the daughter of Alexander Heron Gordon and Mary E. Olmsted. Mary died 23 August 1884 at Copley Township, Knox County, Illinois, USA. She was buried in August 1884 at in Victoria Cemetery, Victoria, Knox County, Illinois, USA.

     Mary was born on 7 November 1847 at Victoria, Knox County, Illinois, USA. She was the daughter of Peter Gordon and Mary Ann McDowell. She married William Robson in November 1871. Mary died 18 October 1919 at Wataga, Knox County, Illinois, USA, at age 71.

     Mary was born on 19 June 1906. She was the daughter of James Peter Gordon and Mae Isabel McCornack. She married Mauritz Kasparson on 14 April 1930.¹ Mary died December 1976 at age 70.

     Maurice was born in 1907 at Knox County, Illinois, USA. He was the son of Arthur O. Gordon and Vivian Ericson. Maurice died an unknown date at Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, USA.

     Mercy was born on 20 October 1895 at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA.¹ She was the daughter of Thomas Campbell Gordon and Mary Alice (May) Stillwell. Mercy died on 17 September 1987 at Hopkins Health Care, Hopkins, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA, at age 91. She never married..^2,3 Her body was interred in September 1987 in in Oakland Cemetery, Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA.⁴
     Mercy was employed as a registered nurse at Wilder Day Care, Hopkins, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA, circa 1950. Mercy Whipple Gordon never married.

     Michael was born. He is the son of Dale Eugene Gordon and Nancy Fox.

     Michael Gordon is the son of Donald James Gordon and Judith Rose Pfister. Michael Gordon married Jane (Unknown Surname).

     Minnie was born on 28 November 1885 at Saint Paul, Howard County, Nebraska, USA. She was the daughter of James Philander Gordon and Emily (Emma) Anthus Richards. She married William Francis Greenlee on 21 June 1905 at Nebraska, USA. Minnie died 5 February 1992 at Oshkosh, Garden County, Nebraska, USA, at age 106.²

     Morley was born on 20 July 1909 at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA.¹ He was the son of James McKean Gordon and Minnie Helen Bahr. He married Louise B. Boyum. Morley died on 31 May 1967 of pneunomia-carcinoma of the lung at Saint Joseph's Hospital at Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA, at age 57.² His body was interred on 2 June 1967 at Oakland Cemetery at in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA.^3,2

Obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, June 4, 1967


[Gordon, Morley M., 475 Cedar Street, June 1. Services and interment were held at Oakland Cemetery, Saturday. Arrangements by Willwerscheid & Peters Mortuary.

     Morley was employed as a clerk for the State of Minnesota in 1930.² He became Raymond Donald (Schwartz) Gordon's adoptive father circa 1947 at in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA.

     Nancy was born on 20 August 1954 at Saint Gabriel's Hospital at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA.² She is the daughter of Warren McKean (Buzz) Gordon Jr and Patricia Mary Durrenberger. She was christened on 29 August 1954, at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA. She became engaged to Steven Robert Grams on 25 December 1971 at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA. Nancy applied for a marriage license to wed Steven Robert Grams on 22 November 1972 at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA.³ She married Steven Robert Grams on 2 December 1972 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA. Nancy was divorced from Steven Robert Grams circa 1992 at Appleton, Outagamie County, Wisconsin, USA. She married Joseph Carl Smith on 6 August 1995 at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church, Waupaca, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, USA. Nancy Ann Gordon and Joseph Carl Smith were divorced in July 2003 at Green Lake, Green Lake County, Wisconsin, USA. Nancy Ann Gordon married William Brennan on 30 April 2007 at Appleton, Outagamie County, Wisconsin, USA.
     She graduated from Saint Francis High School at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA, with a High School Diploma in June 1972.

     Nora was born on 24 January 1877 at Tondu, Llangynwyd Lower, Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales.¹ She was the daughter of James Gordon and Elizabeth McKean. She married Walter Swarbreck circa 1897 at Minnesota, USA. Nora died 23 November 1935 at in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA, at age 58.^2,1 She was buried on 26 November 1935 at in Hillside Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA.¹
     Nora immigrated to America in 1895.

     Patricia was born on 6 February 1929 at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA.² She is the daughter of Warren McKean (Blackie) Gordon Sr and Georgianna St. Martin. She was christened on 14 April 1929, at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA. Patricia applied for a marriage license to wed Cyriacus (Cyri) Henry Rausch on 25 August 1952 at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA.³ She married Cyriacus (Cyri) Henry Rausch on 2 September 1952 at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA.⁴ Patricia filed for divorce from Cyriacus (Cyri) Henry Rausch in 1969 at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA. She married Robert Harry Schroeder on 3 January 1997 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA.
     Patricia became Warren McKean (Sandy) Gordon III's godmother at Warren McKean (Sandy) Gordon IIIs christening on 29 June 1947 at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA. Patricia was employed as a medical assistant for the Little Falls Clinic at Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, USA, from 1953 to 1998.

     Peter was born on 19 May 1819 at Claughreid, Kirkmabreck Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.¹ He was christened on 19 May 1819, at Kirkmabreck Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.¹ He was the son of James Gordon and Jean (Jane) Heron. He married Mary Ann McDowell on 1 March 1845 at Copley Township, Knox County, Illinois, USA.² Peter was the executor of William Gordon's estate on 18 November 1872 at Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USA. Peter died 24 April 1900 at Victoria, Knox County, Illinois, USA, at age 80.² Peter Gordon passed peacefully away at his home in Victoria at 10 o’clock Tuesday morning, April 24th. April 3 Mr. Gordon sustained a stroke of paralysis from which he never rallied. The funeral services will be held at the Swedish Methodist church today at 10.30 o’clock.

Peter Gordon was the son of James and Jean Gordon and was born in Creetown, Scotland, May 19th 1819. He came to this county in 1840 and settled in Copley township, Knox county. HE engaged in service until later, when he purchased a farm and after a successful career, he is 1885 moved to Victoria, where he has since resided. Mr Gordon has for may years been an active member of the Presbyterian church in Victoria, and was always interested in the advancement of the welfare of the community. For twenty years he has been a school director and has devoted much time and effort in this work. His death will be a severe loss to the community.

Deceased leaves, besides the widow, four children, James, a farmer in Walnut Grove, township ; Alexander H. of Copley ; Albinus, who resides at home, and Elizabeth M. Robson of Wataga.

Mr. Gordon was the step-father of Dr. W. F. Tait of Galesburg.

From "The Galesburg Mail". He was buried in April 1900 at in Victoria Cemetery, Victoria, Knox County, Illinois, USA.
     PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF KNOX COUNTY, ILLINOIS, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1886, page 372.

Note: The 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, was a subscriber publication. That is, only those Knox County residents who paid a subscription fee had their biography, portrait and/or property view published in it.

Peter Gordon. Knox County is the abiding place of many citizens, for innate worth and native force of character, are a credit to her, and prominent among these may be found a gentleman of whom we write, a retired farmer, living on section 12, of Copley Township. He stands high in the community as a man of solid and substantial character, and holds different offices in his township, having been Road Commissioner for some length of time, and is a School Director, laboring faithfully in the interests of education.

Mr. Gordon was born in Creetown, Scotland, May 19, 1810. His parents were James and Jane (Heron) Gordon, both of Scotland. They were farmers by occupation, and their family consisted of four children – Peter, Margaret, Alex. and David. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon died in 1854 and 1857 respectively.

The subject of our narrative spent the years of his life up to his majority on the home farm, and attended school. In 1840 he emigrated to America with the high hopes and eager ambition of early youth, with the one idea of making himself a name and a home. Landing in New York, he came by way of the lakes to Chicago. From that city he came to Knox County and settled in section10, of Copley Township. Here he purchased 40 acres of prairie land, on which he built a log house 16 x 20 feet, and there he lived for six years. To his first purchase he added by degrees 560 acres, and continued to reside on this until 1885. He has at present time 890 acres of land, and has given to his four children 160 acres each. In 1885 he built a handsome residence in Victoria, where he now lives.

He was married March 1, 1845, to Mary Ann McDowell Tait, who was born Jan. 24, 1814. She is the daughter of John and Anna (Livingston) McDowell, natives of Scotland. Her father came to America in 1839, settled in Copley Township, on section 14. In 1867 he died, the mother having preceded him in 1824, taking her departure from this life in Scotland.

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have a family of six children, four of whom are living – James, Elizabeth M., Alexander H., and Albinus N. James married Margaret McQuarrie; Elizabeth M. is the wife of William Robson, and is the mother of one child, named Percy E; Alexander is the husband of Mary Olmstead, and they have four children as follows: Arthur, Lizzie E., John H., and James P; Albinus N. married Miss Emma Smith, who has borne him two children – Peter T. and Leroy S.

Mrs. Gordon by her first marriage had a family of four sons, namely, John, William F., Peter G. and Houston P. These have all acted nobly in defense of their country, enlisting in the war of the Rebellion in 1862., and giving all they had to give in that noble cause. Peter G., who had become Lieutenant, was killed at the battle of Nashville; John was wounded at Dallas and died at Chattanooga, from the effects of his wounds; the other two returned home to their home when the war was over, with gratitude for the boon of their lives, but with sadness for the two who had perished in the great struggle which robbed so many households of husband or father, brother or son. The four brothers all enlisted in Co. G, 89th Ill. Vol. Inf; Col Hotchkiss was the commander.

Mr. William Tait, the deceased husband of Mrs. Gordon, died in 1843, at his home on section 16, in Copley Township. William Tait, Jr., is a physician at Galesburg, and was married to Miss Rhoda Sperry, a native of Oneida County, N.Y. To them have been born two children, both living – May J. and Margaret M. Houston P. unites in wedlock with Mary Levalley, a native of Knox County, and they are the parents of one child – Annie J.

Mr. Gordon is Republican in politics and an important factor in this community, and, with his wife, is a working member of the Presbyterian Church.



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS AND KNOX COUNTY, Munsell Publishing Company, 1899, page 834.

Note: The 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County was a subscriber publication. That is, in most cases, only those Knox County residents who paid a subscription fee had their portrait and/or biography published in it.

Peter Gordon

Peter Gordon, son of James and Jean (Heron) Gordon, was born in Creetown, Scotland, May 19, 1819. In 1840 he came to this country and finally settled in Copley Township, Knox County, Illinois. He began working by the month, but later bought a farm and was so successful in his chosen occupation, that, in 1885, when he moved to Victoria, he had greatly increased his possession.

In 1845 Mr. Gordon was married in Copley Township to Mrs. Mary Ann (McDowell) Tait, who was born in Scotland, January 24, 1814, and was the daughter of John and Anna (Livingston) McDowell. Her mother died in Scotland in 1824, and her father came to America in 1839 and settled in Copley Township. Mr. McDowell died in 1867. Mr. William Tait, Mrs. Gordon's first husband, died in 1843, leaving her with four sons: John, William F., Peter G. and Houston P. In 1862 these four sons enlisted in Company G, Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, Colonel Hotchkiss commanding. John died at Chattanooga from wounds received in the fighting at Dalton. Peter G. rose to the rank of lieutenant and fell at the battle of Nashville.
William and Houston P. survived the war. The former is a physician in Galesburg. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have four children: James, Elizabeth M., Alexander H. and Albinus N. James has a farm in Walnut Grove Township; Alexander H. has one in Copley Township; Albinus is on the home farm; Elizabeth M. married William Robson, of Wataga, Illinois.

From the humble beginning in 1840, Mr. Gordon's possessions grew to more than fifteen hundred acres, and he gave each of his four children one hundred and sixty acres of land. He has also a handsome residence in Victoria. For many years he has been an active member of the Presbyterian church, and is always interested in whatever contributes to the welfare of the community in which he lives. For twenty years he has been a School Director and he is looked up to by all as one of the most substantial men in his township. In politics, Mr. Gordon is a republican.

Peter came to America in 1840, travelling via the Great Lakes to Peoria, Illinois, where he worked for three years at the pay of $6.00 per month. He removed to Victoria in 1841, built a 16' x 20' log cabin on Section 10 and lived there for six years. The 1850 census for Copley Township shows Peter owning 2,500 acres.

     Peter was born on 29 July 1878 at Victoria, Knox County, Illinois, USA. He was the son of Albinus Nance Gordon and Emma Cecilia Smith. Peter Thomas Gordon married Iva (Unknown Surname) circa 1906. Peter died 21 October 1945 at Knox County, Illinois, USA, at age 67. He was buried in October 1945 at in Victoria Cemetery, Victoria, Knox County, Illinois, USA.

     Rachel was born on 26 April 1976 at Anchorage, Alaska, USA. She is the daughter of Warren McKean (Sandy) Gordon III and Margaret Corrine Bracken.
     She graduated from Issaquah High School at Issaquah High School, Issaquah, King County, Washington, USA, with a High School Diploma in June 1995. Rachel graduated as a Veterinary Assistant from PIMA Medical Institute at Seattle, King County, Washington, USA, on 14 November 1997.

     Rena was born on 7 July 1876 at Saint Paul, Howard County, Nebraska, USA. She was the daughter of James Philander Gordon and Emily (Emma) Anthus Richards. She married Winfield Scott Willard on 14 August 1904 at Arapahoe, Furnas County, Nebraska, USA. Rena died 4 December 1949 at Holbrook, Furnas County, Nebraska, USA, at age 73. She was buried on 13 December 1949 at Arapahoe, Furnas County, Nebraska, USA.

     Richard was born. He is the son of Richard Arthur Gordon and Rose Ann Raml. He married Debbie (Unknown Surname).

     Richard was born on 6 September 1928 at Sheboygan, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, USA. He was the son of Richard Marion Gordon and Gertrude Ann Maltzahn. He married Rose Ann Raml on 10 July 1948 at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, Sheboygan, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, USA.¹ Richard died 11 February 2007 at Sheboygan, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, USA, at age 78.²

The Sheboygan Press (WI) - February 13, 2007

Richard A. Gordon, age 78, of 2412 W. Mark Dr. passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2007 at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center following a courageous battle with cancer.

Rich was born on September 6, 1928 in Sheboygan, a son of the late Richard and Gertrude (Malzahn) Gordon. He attended Sheboygan Central High School. Following the early death of his father he went to work as a sheet metal worker at Aldag Sheet Metal where he remained employed for 46 years. On July 10, 1948 he was united in marriage to Rose Raml at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. Rich always enjoyed a visit from his great grandchildren and enjoyed the company of his 2 special pets, Sammy and Corky. In his younger years, as a member of the Stock Car Racing Association, he raced stock cars. A 1940 Ford Coupe was his favorite. Whenever possible he loved to tin-ker about in his workshop, with his woodworking projects lovingly given to his family. As a sports fan he enjoyed both North High and South High basketball games and softball games at Wildwood Park.

Rich was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church, a 50 year member of the Sheet Metal Work-ers Local 18 where he was president of the Retirees Club, Sheboy-gan Chapter. He was also a member of the Riverside Boat Club.

Rich is survived by his wife, Rose; two sons, Dick (Debbie) Gordon of Sheboygan, Jeff (Jack-ie) Gordon of Sheboygan Falls; five grandchildren, Melissa (Steve) Kuchinski, Jason (Christine) Gordon and Renee (Rob) Ecker, all of Sheboygan, Adam (Lily) Gordon of Sheboygan Falls and Melissa Van Grootheest (Joe Balistreri) of Muskego; five great grandchildren; two brothers, William (Judy) Gordon and David Gordon, all of Sheboygan; a sister in law, Judie Gordon of Green Bay and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, David and Mary Sperger of Mayville.

He is further survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives along with a special friend, Terry Wester of Grafton.

He was preceded in death by a brother Donald Gordon.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Richard will be celebrated 5 pm, Wednesday, February 14 at St. Dominic Catholic Church with Rev. John Radetski, pastor, as celebrant. Entombment will be in Gardens of Peace Mausoleum. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday afternoon at the church, N. 21st and Geele Ave., from 2 pm until the time of Mass at 5 pm.

In preferences to flowers memorials may be given to the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic.



Richard's family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to Dr. Kevin Johnson and Dr. Max Haid along with those at the Aurora Medical Group, 3rd floor staff at Memorial Hospital and for the special care given at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic.

The Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home is serving the family.
     Richard was employed as a tinsmith.

     Richard was born on 27 June 1907 at Victoria, Knox County, Illinois, USA. He was the son of John Heron Gordon and Effie Hull Cummings. He married Gertrude Ann Maltzahn on 14 February 1928.¹ Richard died 15 March 1944 at Sheboygan, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, USA, at age 36.

     Robert was born circa 1740 at Scotland. He married Isabella McConchie circa 1765 at Scotland. Robert died an unknown date at Scotland.
     Robert was a farmer, probably living in the Wigtownshire or Kircudbrightshire region of Galloway, Scotland.