Lafeyette County, Missouri Genealogy Trails

Lafayette County, Missouri Genealogy Trails

Biographies

COL. JAMES A. GORDON, one of the most able, energetic and prominent bank officials in Missouri, and familiarly known throughout the length and breadth of the State as Col. Gordon, is the President of the Farmers' Savings Bank of Marshall, and has been in the banking business in La Fayette and Saline Counties since 1870. Devoting himself unweariedly to the duties demanded of his responsible position, he yet finds time to engage in the religious, benevolent and local enterprises of Marshall, and to aid in the progress and advancement of all good work. Refined and courteous and of commanding presence, he exerts an influence in business, church and social circles, and possesses the esteem and confidence of the general public.

A native of Missouri, Col. Gordon was born in La Fayette County, near Lexington, August 26, 1841. James Gordon, his paternal grandfather, was a farmer of Scotch descent, who about 1830 came to Jefferson City, entered land and farmed a short distance from that flourishing town. The father of our subject, Judge William L. Gordon, was a native of Kentucky, born near Lexington. He studied medicine in Jefferson City under Dr. Bolton, and then attended lectures in Transylvania University, at Lexington, Ky. Graduating as M.D., he practiced successfully for a time in Cedar County, Mo., and then deciding to try other fields, extended his practice to Jackson and La Fayette Counties, and finally located in Jackson County. One mile east of Oak Grove, near the La Fayette County line, be had four hundred acres of land, which he improved.

In 1853 Judge Gordon removed to Holt County, and there owned and operated two farms until the war broke out, when he devoted himself to the practice of medicine, continuing in the same profession until his death in 1884. He was Presiding Judge of the Holt County Court for six years, and was well known all over the Missouri Valley as a man of uncommon character, firm in decision and wise in judgment. The mother of our subject, Sarah (Smith) Gordon, was a native of Tennessee, and came to La Fayette County, Mo., in a very early day, was married there, and died in 1847. She was the mother of three sons and one daughter, all living. By a second marriage Judge Gordon had eight children, all of whom still survive. James Gordon, the eldest member of this large family, was reared upon his father's farm, and went to the primitive schoolhouse, whose furnishings were of slabs rudely fashioned into desks and seats. After a time he attended the High School at St. Joseph, and later entered the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he spent two profitable years. In June, 1861, he returned home and taught school in La Fayette County.

In 1862 our subject enlisted as a volunteer in Shelby’s Brigade, Gordon’s Regiment, of the Confederate army, and two days after enlisting was under fire in the battle of Coon Creek. He was also engaged in numerous skirmishes, and the battles of Newtonia, Cane Hill, Poison Springs, Prairie Grove, Hartsville, Helena, Cape Girardeau, Chalk Bluffs, Marks' Mill and Saline River. He
participated in Shelby's raid into Missouri, and in several battles and encounters not hero enumerated. He was in the thickest of the battle at Marshall, when eight hundred men, of whom only five hundred were armed, opposed eight or ten thousand, and fought desperately against fearful odds. At the battle of Clarendon, our subject's command captured the "Queen City" gunboat, and the next day, June 24, 1864, he was wounded on an open field, while, mounted upon a charger, he was fighting gallantly. The wound,
caused by a pistol-shot, although fortunately not fatal, has caused much suffering in the right side, where the ball lodged and has never been removed.

After being wounded, Col. Gordon was carried to the field-hospital, and while there was caplured and held three days, when the enemy abandoned the sick and wounded soldiers and went away. Our subject remained in the hospital six weeks, and before he was really able to endure the fatigue rejoined his command at Batesville. Soon after he returned to La Fayette and Saline Counties on recruiting service, and with the reinforcements thus obtained joined Gen. Price's command at Waverly. In the early part of October he started upon the now famous raid, and was an active participant in the battles of Westport, Ft Scott, Little Blue, and the skirmishes of almost daily occurrence. Col. Gordon spent the winter of 1864-65 in Texas, and in June of 1865, at Shrcveport, surrendered with his command. Later he went to Plattsmouth, Neb. where he stayed until early in 1866, when he returned to La Fayette County and engaged in teaching until 1870. He was an instructor in Shelby College, and had charge of the school from 1866 until 1869, and then taught one year near Lexington.

In 1870 Col. Gordon assisted in the organization of the Farmers' Savings Bank at Waverly, of which he became Cashier, and which was incorporated with a capital of $50,000. In 1879 the bank’s name and accounts were transferred to Marshall. George C. Fletcher was President of the bank from 1870 until 1883, when he died. He was succeeded by Nathan Corder, President two years, and after him John Haggin served as President until his death, when Col. Gordon was chosen for the office, June 1, 1889. The bank, which is a State institution, has a capital of $50,000 and a surplus of $60,000. In addition to the banking business, Col. Gordon superintends the management of his farm, which consists of three hundred and twenty acres of improved land, embellished
with excellent buildings. This valuable piece of property is in Middleton Township, La Payette County. He also owns a three hundred acre farm, finely improved, at Grand Pass, this county. In 1891 he built the finest mansion in the city, on the corner of North and Elm Streets, and here he makes his home.

December 29, 1868, Col. Gordon was married in La Fayette County, southeast of Lexington, to Miss Margaret E. Catron, who was born in La Fayette County. Her father, John Catron, Sr., a native of Tennessee, came with his parents to La Fayette County and has become known as an extensive and prominent agriculturist. The mother of Mrs. Gordon, Mary (Fletcher) Catron, was born in Virginia in 1815, and when a child came with her father, James Fletcher, to La Fayette County. She is a member of the Christian Church, and a lady of intelligence and ability. Mrs. Gordon was one of eight children, and received an excellent education, graduating from the Christian College at Columbia, Mo. She is the mother of one child, "Willie C.

Col. Gordon is a Knight Templar, and has taken high degrees in Masonry, being one of the most prominent members of the order in the State. He is a member and Trustee of the Christian Church, and active in the promotion of its interests. Mrs. Gordon is a leader in the Ladies' Society ,and does much to extend the influence of the organization. Our subject is a Democrat in political affiliations. In 1889 he was one of the organizers of the Saline County ex-Confederate Soldiers' Association, and has since been its President. He was an important factor in securing the connections of the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Marshall, and was mainly instrumental in locating the Missouri Valley College in this city. Devoting himself with untiring fidelity to the management of Business interests, he has scarcely allowed himself a vacation from his duties; however, in 1883 he took an extended trip to the Pacific Coast, and upon his return met with the cordial reception and hearty handclasp which eloquently expressed the high estimation if which the general public hold their popular and representative citizen, Col. James A. Gordon.

Portrait and biographical record of Lafayette and Saline Counties, Missouri : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States. Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1893, (pages 117 – 119) Submitted by Lisa -2009

George Osborn, a prominent citizen of Fayette County, Mo., located upon section 18, range 25, township 49, is the subject of whom we write. He is essentially a self-made man, one who is well and favorably known in the county, where he has made his home and has worked for the advancement of all public matters since 1865. The birth of our subject took place in Boone County, Mo., May 28, 1828. He was a son of John and Rachel (Lcmmon) Osborn, who were well-known natives of Scott County, Ky. The family trees upon both sides tell of Scotch and Irish ancestors, and among the early forefathers in this country can be found patriots
off the Revolutionary War.

In 1818 the father of our subject removed into Boone County, Mo., and when George was sixteen years of age, Mr. Osborn took the family to Davis County, where they remained until our subject had grown to man's estate. Although the advantages for obtaining an education in those days were very limited, our subject attended the best schools, and received as much instruction as was given any youth of the time and place, He was a great reader and has so continued, being a very well-informed man, just in his judgments and
wise in administering the affairs entrusted to his charge.

September 20, 1855, our subject was united in marriage with an estimable lady, Miss Susan O. Rose, a native of Fleming County, Ky., who was born March 2, 1839, a daughter of Charles and Martha A. (Norman) Rose, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Kentucky. She was reared in Buchanan County, Mo., and resided there at the time she became the wife of Mr. Osborn. To this worthy couple twelve children have been born, and many of them have formed connections of their own, showing to the world the virtues they learned in the home circle. The names of the excellent family in whom our subject and wife have found reason to rejoice are as we give below: John F.; Charles E.; Luebcll, the wife of L. D. Coupland; Sanford, deceased; Minnie R. L., the wife of Jasper Anson; Forest M., the wife of Richard Jennings; Ruth, the wife of Henry Lowrey; Ida A., the wife of Edward Jennings; George, Alvin K., Floyd and Susan. In 1865 our subject came with his family to this part of the grand old State of Missouri and located in La Fayette County, settling upon the present farm, and at this place the family has resided ever
since. The farm consists of two hundred and forty acres of land under a good state of cultivation, with comfortable buildings.

Mr. Osborn is a man of prominence in his locality, having served for four years as Justice of the Peace, fulfilling the duties of the office to the satisfaction of all. Politically he is a Democrat, believing that the principles of Democracy are the ones which will best carry the country through any crisis that may be in store for her. In the Missionary Baptist Church is a prominent member and active worker. His position in the district is one to be desired, as his friends and well-wishers are among the best in the neighborhood.

Portrait and biographical record of Lafayette and Saline Counties, Missouri : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States. Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1893, (pages 120-121) Submitted by Lisa -2009