Monterey-Yuba-San Mateo County CA Archives Biographies.....Gordon, Samuel B. 1828 - 
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Author: Luther A. Ingersoll, Editor (1893)

HON. SAMUEL B. GORDON.—There are few pioneers of California more widely or
favorably known than the subject of this sketch.

  He was born in Pendleton, South Carolina, January 17, 1828, and while an
infant moved with his parents, Thomas F. and Lovina (Powell) Gordon, to Georgia,
locating near Clarksville. Later they moved to Walker county, same State. His
father was a planter and slaveholder, and on the farm Samuel B. was reared. At
the age of twenty-one years he left home and came to California, making the
journey hither via Cape Horn, and arriving in San Francisco in 1850. While in
Habersham county, Georgia, a mining district, his father had giving some
attention to gold mining, and with him the son had gained some experience in
that line. He accordingly, upon coming to California, proceeded to the mining
districts with machinery, which he had brought with him. He found it of no
practical use, however, in California mining, and never utilized it. He worked
in the mines of Yuba with pick and shovel, owned claims, and pursued the
business according to the customs of early mining days, remaining thus engaged
only about one year. He then turned his attention to farming about five miles
north of San Jose, where he remained two years, after which he removed to
Redwood City, San Mateo county. At the latter place he did a lumbering business.

  In 1857 Mr. Gordon was elected to the California State Legislature from San
Mateo county, and served his constituents with marked ability and discretion,
doing important committee work. He was the first Representative sent from the
San Mateo district to the Legislature. He is a Democrat. He subsequently served
as ex-officio Superintendent of Public Schools of his county, and still later as
County Assessor.

  He came to Monterey county in 1859 and located the Tularcitos and Little
Tularcitos ranchos, one and a half leagues, and engaged in raising horses,
mules, cattle and sheep. There he remained until 1888, acquiring ownership to
about 5,000 acres of land, and doing an eminently successful business. In 1888
he disposed of his landed interests, came to Monterey and later to Pacific
Grove. At the latter place he built a fine residence and is now living, retired
from active business.

  Mr. Gordon was married December 11, 1859, to Miss Nancy J. Whisman, daughter
of John Whisman, deceased. Her father, a native of Virginia, emigrated to
Missouri, and hence crossed the plains in 1847, locating in Santa Clara county.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have had eight children, six of whom are now living.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California.

Illustrated.

Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent
Citizens of To-day.



HENRY D. BARROWS,
Editor of the Historical Department.

LUTHER A. INGERSOLL,
Editor of the Biographical Department.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."-Macaulay.


CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1893.


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