Biographical Sketch of George P. Gordon, Lafayette County, Missouri

>From "History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled
from the most authentic official and private sources" St. Louis, Mo.
Historical Company, 1881.
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Lieut. Col. George P. Gordon, farmer, P. O. Concordia, the seventh child
of Judge Thomas Gordon, was born in Henry county, Tenn., August 8, 1828.
In May, 1831, the judge brought his family to Lafayette county, and 
entered some land near Lexington, which is now owned by Evan young.  Here
the subject of this sketch was reared and educated, attending the high
school at Lexington, which at that time was under the supervision of 
William Van Doran.  In 1849 he went to California and traveled through 
the northern part, prospecting along the American and Nubia rivers and
their tributaries.  In January, 1852, he returned, reaching home about
ten days before the death of his father.  He was married February 12,
1857, to Miss susan A. Corder, a daughter of Nathan Corder.  She died 
April 15, 1873, leaving a bereaved husband with four children to mourn 
her loss.  The children are named as follows: Nathan, John, Bird and
Frank.  In 1861 he enlisted in the state guards and afterwards in the
regular confederate service, in which he remained until the close of the
war.  While in the state guards he held the rank of captain; was dis-
charged from this service in December, 1861, and in the August following
enlisted in the regular service.  In 1863 he was promoted to the rank of
Major, by Gen. Hindman, at the suggestion of Gen. Shelby, and in 1865 was
again promoted to the rank of Lieut. Colonel, by Gen. Shelby, as division
commandant; was engaged in the following battles: Carthage, Wilson's 
Creek, Prairie Grove, Springfield, Hartsville, Cape Girardeau, Helena,
of Shelby's raid through southern Missouri, of Price's raid, and of 
several minor engagements too numerous to mention in this brief sketch.
He surrendered in June, 1865, with Shelby's division, to Gen. Frank
Herron.  Returning to his home he again resumed his occupation of farm-
ing.  He was again married, March 31, 1874, to Mrs. Nancy Corder, widow
of Addison Corder.  The fruit of this marriage is one child, Lulu.
Colonel, or Major Gordon as he is better known, is a member of the 
Masonic lodge at Aullville, also an honored member of the O. S. Presby-
terian Church.

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