Franklin or “Frank” was the son of Henry Gordon and Nancy Owen Gordon. He was born in the Gordon area March 5, 1861. His mother died a little over six months later leaving members of the community to care for him. He was brought up for several years in or near Gordon then moved to Greenville, Ohio according to his life story which is in several articles.
His grandparent was Philip Gordon, who the town of Gordon was named after.
His care keepers were Amelia Temple and Hugh Vail as Mr. Vail also lost a wife and had children so Amelia took care of several as the housekeeper.
Franklin’s siblings were: Lucetta June Isenbarger, Sarah Gordon Long, and Martha Ann “Lizzie” Gordon Miller.
Frank attended Greenville Schools and made application for a position in the store of Nathaniel Webb. He also was farming for W. H. Morningstar. He began his clerking experience for Mr. Webb when he was 15 years old. Afterward, he was with Wilson and Hart until 1887. He had saved enough to start a partnership in the dry goods store with John H. Martin (firm name Martin and Gordon) for 3 years.
Thereafter, the name changed to Gordon & Grant and then Gordon and Alter. The store was located on the corner of Broadway and Fourth in Greenville and Franklin was the Vice-President and general manager. The store was 3 floors, 40 X 85’. They employed 15-25 people.
Gordon was quite the businessman and engaged in numerous business projects including overseeing the Hollinger Fence Company.
In 1884 he married Etta McCaughey, daughter of the Reverend William McCaughey. The wedding was held at the McCaughey homestead, corner of Third and Sycamore Streets in Greenville, Ohio.
Frank retired from business in Greenville in 1913 and moved to Racine, Wisconsin where he was treasurer of an auto manufacturing company and in the insurance fields.
In 1926 they moved to Connecticut. He died 1954 and is buried at Lake View Cemetery, New Canaan, CT, with his wife.
His children were son Ralph and daughter Winthrop Gordon Clark.
During his life, Frank was quite involved also in social and community pursuits including membership in the Greenville Lodge #146, F&AM Knights of Pythias Fraternity as well as St Paul’s Episcopal Church.
At 23 years of age, Franklin was elected town clerk of Greenville. Two times he was jury commissioner of Darke County and vestryman at St Paul’s Church where he also held the position of treasurer.
According to some newspaper accounts found by Rich Emery, in 1908 and 1909, Frank served as president of the John Owens family reunion association and the reunions were held at his sister’s house, Sarah Gordon Long.
Materials for his life story were taken from various sources including the Gordon file at Garst Genealogy Department. There were some discrepancies in dates and so forth between 4 articles but publications included: Early Advocate (accounts of living and working in Greenville and his neighbors) along with his photo; another article with photo, Genealogical and Biographical Record by Beers, a scrapbook from Franklin titled “Newspaper clippings of Greenville”. Franklin also authored the book “The Gordons of Pitlurg and Descendants of Thomas Gordon who came to America in 1684 and settled in Perth Amboy, New Jersey” published by College Book Company, Columbus, Ohio, 1941.
If you are a descendant or have additional information to add, please contact Annette Stewart at awths. Documents and records are held in the AWTHS archives on Franklin, his family and the other Gordan’s and family descendants.
Please follow AWTHS blog guidelines and credit is to be given to the stated references on information therein.
This story is a continuation from William Walker, Revolutionary War Patriot, who was Franklin’s great grandfather through his mother, Nancy Owen Gordon.