The Free Baptist church has gained some of its most distinguished
clergymen and most earnest workers from the Gordon family of Jackson county,
members of which have won country-wide reputations in their chosen vocation,
and prominent among these may be mentioned the late Rev. Henry Smith Gordon
and his son, Rev. George Alexander Gordon, the latter of whom has also won
recognition as a business man, agriculturist and journalist. Probably there
is no better known family in Jackson county than that of Gordon, and it is
but fitting in respect for those who have passed away and in appreciation of
those who are still carrying on their labors that a history of its members
be presented in biographical form.
In looking for the founder of
this branch of the family the first of whom there is distinct trace is
Richard of Gordon, who was Lord of the Barony of Gordon in the Merse between
1150 and 1160. Alicia IV of the Gordon family married her cousin, Adam
Gordon. Their grandson. Sir Adam, was the ancestor of all the Gordons of
Scotland, according to Douglas. Robert 1st gave to him a charter to the
lands of Strathbogie (or Huntley). Sir Adam Gordon, in descent tenth of
Gordon and Huntley, was killed at the battle of Homildon in 1402, leaving
only a daughter, who married a Seton. Their eldest son, Alexander, assumed
the name of Gordon, and in 1449 was created Earl of Huntley. The line of
Huntleys and Gordon was noted for its warlike spirit. The fighting force of
the clan was estimated at one thousand claymores in 1715. The Earls of
Aberdeen, so created in 1682, are descended from Patrick Gordon of Methlic,
cousin of the Earl of Huntley. Prom Scotland the first Gordon, the
great-great-grandfather of Rev. George Alexander Gordon, came to American in
1697, he being connected with what is known as the Cumberland Valley
Gordons, very numerous and exceedingly well known in Pennsylvania and
Maryland. Rev. Henry Smith Gordon was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania,
June 19, 1816, the oldest child of George and Nancy Gordon, who brought him
west when he was but a child. The family crossed the Mississippi river at
St. Louis before the advent of ferry boats, but took the wheels off their
wagon, and thus safely carried their horses and wagon across the river in a
flat-boat, it taking a number of trips to get the whole outfit across with a
skiff and the flat-boat. The grandfather of Rev. Henry Smith Gordon, also
named George, had gone to Missouri about 1800, long before it was admitted
to the Union as a state, and because of some complicity in the rightful
ownership of a number of negroes in which his wife held first claim he was
foully murdered one morning on his own door-steps by someone in ambush
across the road from the house. The accused was the first person ever hanged
in Missouri and in St. Louis, under law, and that was territorial law, in
which the oldest son had the reprieving power. His son, however, George, a
lad of fourteen years of age, refused to commute the sentence, and the
village of St. Louis witnessed the first legal hanging. George then went
back to Pennsylvania, grew to manhood, married and had three children, the
oldest of whom was Henry Smith, and with his family wended his way back to
his early home in Missouri.
Locating back of St. Louis about sixteen
miles, on the Meramec river, the little family started its life in the new
territory, and there the father built and operated for many years a grist
mill and carding factory, the son growing to manhood and having instilled in
him lessons of integrity, industry and frugality which proved of inestimable
value to him in the years that followed. He became in time a practical
miller and engineer, and acquired some educational training. At the age of
nineteen years he was married to Miss Rebecca Young, and at that time, in
1835, his father gave him one hundred acres of land. He began to improve his
property, but finding this a slow and uphill business, he sold it for twelve
hundred dollars, and removed to Southern Illinois, locating on wild prairie
land in Short's Prairie, one and one-half miles east of Georgetown (now
Steeleville), Randolph county. At this early day there were a great many
difficulties to encounter and discouragements to face, and among other
things he lost his first born, a little two-year-old girl. A son, however,
took her place, and following this three boys gladdened the home, the oldest
of whom, George Alexander, was born while the father was attending Shurtleff
Theological College, at Upper Alton, Illinois. In 1848 Mr. Gordon's home was
visited by the Death Angel, the faithful wife passing into the Beyond, and
for a time it was necessary that his little ones be cared for by others. The
youngest was taken by a brother-in-law, Captain Senica Parker, and the
latter and his wife became so attached to him that they kept and reared him.
On November 6, 1849, Rev. Gordon was again married, this time to Mrs. Nancy
Hill, of Centerville, Illinois, who had a son, William S. Hill. Five sons
were born to Rev. and Mrs. Gordon: Abram G., Noel R., Charles S., Edward B.
and Ora C. The entire family of ten children were raised to man and
womanhood, all were married and had homes, and for fifty years there was not
a death in the family (except the second son, Henry, who died in 1893), from
the death of his wife in 1848 until his own death in 1898. He continued to
live on and improve his farm, but failing health compelled him, in 1852, to
make the long and tedious trip across the plains to California. That year
was one when so many people were afflicted with the gold fever, and crossed
the plains in all kinds of trains in search of wealth. Rev. Gordon chose the
somewhat unique method of a team of milk cows, which furnished him with both
transportation and sustenance, and thus safely made the long trip of six
months. After a few months, finding his health restored, Rev. Gordon
returned home, but was in almost as bad health as when he had started,
having suffered a relapse on reaching New Orleans on the return trip, via
the isthmus, and in 1855 gave up farming and moved to O'Fallon, St. Clair
county, to establish himself in a mercantile trade, the first business of
any kind at that point, now quite a city. After about one year he again
returned to the farm, but as he had rented it for a longer period the tenant
would not give it up, and he was compelled to build another house on another
piece of land, which he increased in the years that followed to almost four
hundred acres. There he continued to live, rearing his family, until all had
married and left the home fireside, when he and his wife moved to Campbell
Hill, and after about seven years to Percy, where the remainder of his life
was spent, his death occurring at the advanced age of almost eighty-two
years.
A modest and unassuming man, Rev. Gordon never kept a diary
and was always averse to self-praise, and in this way it is hard for the
biographer to accurately trace his record of work accomplished. It was about
the year 1837, however, when he united with the Baptist church at
Georgetown, Illinois, sometimes called Steele's Mills, or Steeleville, in
honor of old Uncle George Steele, founder of the town. Shortly thereafter
Rev. Gordon was asked by resolution to exercise his gift in the way of
public speaking, and after he had complied with the request was ordained to
the Gospel ministry by the usual forms of the Missionary Baptist church.
Soon realizing, however, that his education was not adequate to this very
important undertaking, and there being no facilities or advantages
convenient at hand, he arranged to take his family, consisting of a wife and
one child at that time, with him to Upper Alton, Illinois, and in 1841 he
entered the theological department of Shurtleff College, in the meanwhile
earning his board and that of his wife in various ways, principally chopping
cord wood and splitting rails. When he had finished his schooling he went
back to take up his work where he had left off, and during the next eight
years preached all over Southern Illinois and became very popular. The only
college man in the association, and an able and efficient minister, he made
himself generally useful, established numerous churches, and was eventually
appointed by the association to preach throughout its limits as a missionary
and to organize various churches, the parent body at New York to pay
one-half of his salary, which was to be four hundred dollars per year. He
had entered upon this work, meeting with fair success, and was one of the
best-known members of the Nine Mile Association of the Missionary Baptist
church, when an event occurred that changed the whole religious complexion
of Southern Illinois.
On April 28, 1850, in the prosecution of his
work as missionary, he organized a church at Looney Springs (now Campbell
Hill), in Jackson county, with nine members, all of whom so far as they
understood endorsed the doctrines of the Missionary Baptist church. It was
announced at the next meeting the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper would be
administered, which in the meantime was discussed in the neighborhood by the
members of the new church as well as others, and there was quite a general
feeling among the members that their Methodist and Presbyterian neighbors,
of whom there were two or three in the vicinity, might commune with them.
This was said by some to be contrary to the usages of the Baptist church,
and it was agreed among themselves that they leave the whole matter to their
new pastor when he came, for their meetings were held monthly. When the
question was asked, Rev. Gordon gave his consent, although he, to use his
own words, "had never publicly advocated free communion," but their claim
was just and their cause scriptural, "so I yielded my acquired
denominational prejudices. ' ' He had hardly got back home from his
appointment when charges were preferred against him and he was called upon
to appear before his church and give an account for this departure from
Baptist usages, for which offense he was excluded from his church. The trial
and exclusion of the Rev. H. S. Gordon from the Baptist church at
Georgetown, Randolph county, has been set forth in various places, including
the report of the committee, which is included in the "Life and Labors of
the Rev. Henry S. Gordon," from which book several quotations have been
made.
The work of Rev. Gordon after his expulsion from the church in
which he had labored so long and faithfully continued as follows: "February
1, 1851, at one o'clock, the congregation assembled at the house of Deacon
John T. Short," officers were chosen, prayer said by H. S. Gordon, and, the
meeting being properly organized, proceeded to discuss the propriety of a
new church organization, the result being the organization of the Baptist
Church of Christ, under a firm constitution. Shortly thereafter, Rev. Gordon
organized a church at Pipestone, at what is now called Denmark; also another
near Rockwood, still called Pleasant Ridge. These four he organized into an
association in 1851 and named it the Southern Illinois Association of Free
Communion Baptists, and under his ministry they grew very rapidly. To quote
again from the work above mentioned: "Brother Gordon's ability as a
preacher, his remarkable vocabulary, fine use of language, native oratory,
great earnestness and natural adaptability to the work to which he had been
so unexpectedly called admirably fitted him to become the leader of a more
advanced and liberal view of Christianity" at that time. "But it was not
popularity that he was seeking. Although the people came by thousands to
hear him preach, and every service witnessed conversions, frequently by the
score, and every monthly meeting baptisms," it was but the fulfilling of
what he felt his bounden duty, and a labor of love and self-sacrifice. The
work broadened and enlarged until it reached over several counties, and
eventually, at a meeting in March, 1877, a convention was called to be held
at Looney Springs church, where the new church was fused with that of the
Free Will Baptists. During all this time Brother Gordon continued to lead
and direct the work, and it would be difficult to say how really great his
influence was or how far-reaching. Those who had come under his influence
here transferred it to other communities, and many branches of the church
today can trace their inception to him. He seldom missed a Sabbath, received
next to no salary (he was content to receive a pair of woolen mittens or
socks, a wagon-load of pumpkins, or, as on one occasion, a bushel of cotton
seed for his labors), and "was thoroughly disgusted with a minister who
worked so hard that his church would have to give him a vacation every
summer. The fact is that he had but little patience with such weaklings,"
although for sixty years he himself would continue to go constantly,
persistently, with no let-up or rest. He was a strict vegetarian. Always
accustomed to hard work on his farm, he was often heard to tell of a certain
crop which he once raised. It came to one hundred bushels of corn, which was
hauled seventeen miles by wagon to sell, and for which he received a
ten-dollar bill. The latter proved counterfeit and the donor would not take
it back. "It was hard to ever forgive that fellow," was Brother Gordon's
invariable remark when finishing this story. In finishing the sketch of the
work done by Brother Gordon, it may be well to quote from the writing of one
who knew and loved him.
"He was systematic and orderly in his
personal habits, was rather averse to fashionable dressing and finery; while
very unaffected and unassuming he always graced the pulpit with dignity, and
while extremely social with all with whom he came in contact, he was always
dignified and genteel. He held moral character in very high esteem; was
often heard to say that morality was a large half of Christianity. He
especially dislike untruth and deceit. He respected the opinions of those
who differed with him socially, politically or religiously, but tied himself
down to no man's theories, notions or opinions, carefully investigated for
himself all subjects and doctrines that presented themselves or came up for
solution or consideration, and in all those sixty years of public life was
not sidetracked but kept steadily on, right on. * * * He was quick to
discover truth, and equally quick to detect error. In argument he was
scholarly and logical, and above all intensely scriptural. He was a master
of his text book, the Bible, quoting whole chapters from memory. He moved
around among its promises, its parables and its miracles as familiarly as
friend with friend. Nor its history, law, poetry or prophecy were
perplexing. Truly a man of God, and learned in the deep things of His Word."
His death occurred January 10, 1898, and he was laid to rest in the Jones
graveyard, one mile west of Percy. His widow survived him four years and
passed away at Ava. Originally a Whig, Rev. Gordon became a Republican on
the organization of that party, later was a Democrat, and in 1880 began to
advocate the principles of the Prohibition party.
The early life of
the Rev. George Alexander Gordon was spent amid religious surroundings, and
his education was secured in the subscription schools and the public schools
of Percy and Georgetown. At the age of eighteen years he began to attend
Rev. 0. L. Barlor's Mathematical and Classical Institute, where he completed
his education, and after finishing his schooling followed farming until
1872. In that year he embarked in the mercantile business at Percy, and in
1875 came to Campbell Hill, continuing in the same line about eighteen
years. For some time he was editor of the Illinois Free Baptist, a religious
publication, later, for five years, published the Campbell Hill Eclipse, and
is still the owner of a small printing establishment. Various enterprises
have attracted his attention, and he is the owner of a large farm, although
for some years he has been living in practical retirement. He is a notary, a
justice of the peace, and handles real estate and insurance, and is a
general advisor to all his fellow townsmen on matters of business. Rev.
Gordon made profession of religion in 1860, and in 1868 was ordained by the
Free Baptist church. He has preached almost continuously ever since, and for
several years was an evangelist and preached every day. He has been state
agent for the Free Baptist church for twenty-one years, seventy -five
ministers and as many churches being under his care, and is the only member
of the general conference board of twenty-one members that has been elected
continuously to office since 1890. He was a delegate to the general
conference at Wiers, New Hampshire, in 1880; at Harper's Ferry, West
Virginia, in 1889; at Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1892; at Winnebago,
Minnesota, in 1895; in 1898 at Ocean Park. Maine; and all others to date.
Once a year he has gone East to Maine in the interests of his church.
Politically he was formerly a Democrat, but with his father in 1880
transferred his allegiance to the Prohibition party. He has been identified
with Free Masonry since 1868.
Rev. Gordon was born at Alton,
Illinois, April 14, 1842, and on December 25, 1866, was married to Harriet
Glore, who was born January 26, 1846, at Shiloh Hill, Illinois, daughter of
Jeptha and Margaret (Crisler) Glore. She was converted and joined the Free
Baptist church at Steeleville, Illinois, January 1, 1867. She has been an
active worker in the church, Sunday-school and Children's Band ever since,
and has rendered her husband invaluable assistance in his ministry. While
busied with the cares of a large household, she has always found time to
attend to her church work, and has proved herself a faithful and true
pastor's wife. Although they have had no children of their own, and have
legally adopted none, Rev. and Mrs. Gordon have reared eight children to man
and womanhood and given them the true love and affection of parents. Like
his reverend father, Rev. Gordon has great organizing ability, and has
founded more than thirty churches. During his long and faithful labor here
he has baptized more than fifteen hundred persons, and has married more
couples than anyone in this part of the state. The mantle of his father's
greatness has fallen upon his shoulders, shoulders that are worthy and able
to carry their burden.
Extracted 11 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, by George W. Smith, volume 3, pages 1497-1502.