Photo courtesy of Susan Isenbarger Jones, Isenbarger descendant.
AWTHS had written earlier history about the Gordon family in reference to the founding of Gordon. At that time, there was a question about Frank or Franklin Gordon and his family as well as Henry, his father, whether he was in the will or not.
Recent research from discovering his wife, Nancy Owen family, resulted in more research and discovering some records which answered some questions. Yes, Henry was listed as an heir in the will. Second, Franklin was confirmed as Henry and Nancy’s son and it was found that Nancy died a little over six months after Frank’s birth.
So back to the beginning. Nancy Owen Gordon was born in 1826. This was after her family moved to Twin Township in 1819 from Tennessee. She was the daughter of John Owen and Margaret Walker Owen, whose father was William Walker, the patriot. Nancy married Henry Gordon June 1853 per the marriage record (it was recorded as 1852 in Henry’s obit). Nancy passed at the young age of 34 years on December 27, 1861.
Henry was born in 1825 and passed away 1914 at 88 years old. We have searched for Henry’s whereabouts after Nancy’s death but have not found that information. It was recorded he left for the Civil War 1862 but still searching for the service record.
They had four children: Lucetta Jane Isenbarger 1853-1940; Sarah Gordon Long 1855-1941; Martha E Ann “Lizzie” Gordon Miller 1858-1943; and Frank or Franklin Gordon 1861-1954.
The children would have been quite young when their mother died: Lucetta 8 yrs, Sarah 6; Martha 3 and Frank 6 months. It was noted in several articles about Frank, that each of the children were raised by a different family. Noted was that Frank was raised by Amilia Temple and Hugh Vail and eventually went to Greenville, Ohio to be educated and raised. That’s another story!
Courtesy of Rich Emery
We haven’t found an obit for mother Nancy. But in the obits for the children, we read some of their life story. Lucetta lived around Potsdam and died from complications from a huge gate at her place knocking her down and causing injury. She passed away somewhat later possibly from the incident. Martha also lived in the Potsdam and West Milton area. Sarah lived Verona area and was buried in the Minnich Cemetery. Franklin lived in Greenville, moved to Wisconsin and later Connecticut where he was buried.
If you descend from these families or have additional information, photos or an obit for Nancy, please let us AWTHS know as well as where Henry lived after his wife’s death until 1900.
Thank you to many who have contributed to this story and findings: Caroline Petijean for research, will and marriage findings; Rich Emery for his great detective work finding the obits and school friend, Susan Isenbarger Jones, for the family photo. Some of the notes came from the Garst Genealogy Department.
Susan’s family is related through the Isenbarger and Gordan’s. Lucetta was her paternal great-aunt by marriage on the Isenbarger side and the Gordon’s, a distant cousin through Mary Gordon, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Gordon on the maternal side.
AWTHS archives has the Owen-Gordon file and documents. Open First Saturday’s to view or research. Appointments recommended. awthsresearch@gmail.com
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