William Gordon

William Gordon was one of the oldest settlers in this county and one of the best known. He was one of the prominent men of the town of Brockway, and the earnest stand that he took on a number of public questions won for him wide commendation. He was born at El Creek, Pictau, Nova Scotia, Canada, September 27, 1828, son of Alexander and Margaret (Scott) Gordon, sturdy Scotch people who were married in Glasgow, and subsequently came to Nova Scotia. The father, like most of the residents of Pictau, divided his time between farming and fishing, the income derived from these sources meeting the modest needs of the family. William Gordon was reared in Pictau, and at the age of sixteen came alone to Bangor, Maine, where, as he grew to manhood, he engaged in lumbering. It was in 1854 that he arrived in St. Anthony Falls, in Minnesota. In September, 1855, he came to Stearns County, and settled in Brockway township, where he secured eighty acres in section 29. He cleared this tract, erected primitive buildings which he later replaced with modern structures, and improved and developed the place until it became one of the best known on Winnebago Prairie. Mr. Gordon took a deep interest in the affairs of his township. When the town -was organized Mr. Gordon was one of the first supervisors, and at the next election he was chosen town clerk, a position he filled for thirty-two years continuously until 1900, when on account of ill health he declined to serve further. The records of his office were regarded as among the various best that were sent to the courthouse, and were displayed as models of what such records should be. He was a school officer for twenty years, and postmaster for a long period. In fact it was said that it seemed as if Mr. Gordon had only to express his willingness to accept any office which was in the gift of the people of the town or under their influence, and it was his so long as he would keep it. While his early educational opportunities were limited, yet by virtue of natural aptitude and general reading he qualified himself for the satisfactory discharge of such business duties and affairs as came to him, and for the intelligent performance of his duties as a citizen. Mr. Gordon was known in Benton and Morrison counties as well as in Stearns. Aside from his farming operations he was employed for a time in carrying supplies to the forts of the Northwest, and during his later years he spent several winters in the lumber woods. In the early days when Brockway was included in the St. Cloud circuit, Mr. Gordon was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and while not active in membership during his later years he lived a consistent Christian life. At the time of the organization of the church in 1855, a Sunday school was organized, and of this he was chosen superintendent. This work he kept up until his last sickness, maintaining the school under circumstances which at times were very discouraging. For twelve or fifteen years before his death he had practically given up work on the farm, and for years before his death he was an invalid. When the end came the people felt that they had lost one of their best citizens. Few men in the county were so favorably known, and he died beloved by all who knew him.

Mr. Gordon was married in 1854, in Maine, to Phoebe E. Getchell, who died January 1, 1878, at Brockway. The children were: Adelbert W., Annabel (now Mrs. James W. Porter, of Crow Wing), Hanna May (now deceased, the first wife of James D. Boyd, formerly of St. Cloud), and Lora E. (who was drowned in the Mississippi river at the age of sixteen). On September 11, 1881, Mr. Gordon married Mrs. Caroline Hiscock, by whom he had one daughter, Alma M. Mrs. Gordon, who survived her husband, lived with her daughter on the old homestead.

History of Stearns County,Minnesota. William Bell Mitchell, 1915.
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William Gordon William Gordon of Brockway, whose death was announced in the Journal-Press of Saturday was one of the old residents of the county, and was a man honored by all his acquaintances.   He was born in Nova Scotia in 1828, and was 76 years of age, and has been a resident of Minnesota since 1854, the last 40 years of his life being spent on his farm at Brockway.  He was a man of public spirit, and was almost continuously one of the town officers since 1858, either supervisor or town clerk, the latter position which he held by unanimous approval of his fellow townsmen for over a quarter of a century.  He was a frequent caller at the Journal-Press office when he visited this city, and he was always welcome, as he ever brought with him a genial presence and words of good cheer. 

He was twice married, and is survived by five children; William Gordon, Jr. of Watab; Mrs. [Everett]Perry, Brockway; Mrs. Porter, Brainerd; Mrs. John Gazette, Rice; and the youngest daughter, Miss Alma who resides at the Gordon home.

The funeral services, held at the home Sunday afternoon at 3:30, Rev. C.W.Lawson of St. Cloud, officiating were largely attended by his friends in his home town, St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, and Rice. The internment was in the Brockway cemetery near his late residence, which now holds the remains of one of Stearns County's respected pioneers.

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