BIOGRAPHY: James Gordon, M.D.; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

JAMES GORDON, M. D., who is an old and prominent physician of Newburgh,
stands high in his profession, and has faith-fully served the city in the
capacity of Health Officer for the past seventeen years, during this period
accomplishing a great work by instituting the best sanitary measures. He was
born in the North of Ireland, within ten miles of Belfast, and crossed the
Atlantic prior to attaining his majority, making the journey in 1857. His
destination was Newburgh, where it was his purpose to visit friends. His
father departed this life when he was a boy, and as his mother died a short
time after he came to America, he concluded to remain here. He has one brother
and one sister, who now make their home in Australia.

For a time our subject attended Newburgh Academy, and subsequently pursued a
course of study at Ft. Edward Institute, in this state. After completing the
course laid down there, he taught in the public schools of New Jersey for two
years, and during the last year took up the study of medicine under Dr.
Chattles, of Long Branch.- Later he attended lectures at Jefferson Medical
College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor
of Medicine with the Class of '66. The following year we find him located in
Newburgh for the practice of his profession, and here he has lived ever since,
with the exception of six months during the winter of 1867 and the spring of
1868, when he made a tour of the Old World. He first visited his old home and
friends in Ireland, after which he went to Edinburgh and Glasgow, where he
took up advanced studies, and later went to London, and thence to Paris, where
he passed the greater part of the winter visiting the noted hospitals.

Dr. Gordon was married, in 1872, to Miss Nettie W. Johnston, the daughter of
Philip Johnston, a prominent business man of Washington, Warren County, N. J.,
where he is now living retired. His eldest daughter is the wife of ex-State
Senator J. B. Cornish, and their son, Hon. Johnston Cornish, is United States
Senator from New Jersey. Another daughter of Philip Johnston married Dr.
Servis, of Junction, N. J. His sons are all prominent business men of that
state. To Mr. and Mrs. Gordon there have been born four children. Bessie L., a
graduate of the Newburgh Academy and the Albany Normal School, is now engaged
in teaching in the public schools of this city; Edward J. is attending the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City; Adeline and Jennie L. are
at home.

Dr. Gordon was one of the organizers of the Knights of Honor and Knights of
Pythias of Newburgh, and is at present connected with Newburgh Lodge No. 309,
F. & A. M., of which he has been a member since 1872. He also belongs to
Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M., and Hudson River Commandery No. 35, K. T.
He was Pension Examiner for the United States Government from 1868 until 1892,
when he re-signed, and a board was appointed to transact the business which he
had carried on.

In the year 1872 Dr. Gordon was appointed Health Officer for Newburgh, serving
until 1877. In 1882 he was re-appointed and has filled the office ever since.
As Health Officer he has always been deeply interested in the suppression of
nuisances of every kind, and in every measure that would improve the sanitary
condition of the city. Particularly has he been actively interested in the
building of sewers and the introduction of sanitary closets in the houses.
This has taken a great deal of hard work and time on his part, but he has been
successful, and the city is now in a fair way to become one of the best in
this line in the county.

Dr. Gordon was reared in the Established Church of England and from childhood
has been associated with the work of the Sunday-school. After coming to this
city he was received into membership in St. George's Church by letter. He
worshiped with this congregation until St Paul's Parish was founded, when he
transferred his membership to that church. He has served continuously as a
member of the Vestry of this church since 1873.