Biographies:  John C. GORES, Eau Claire, Eau Claire Co., WI 

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John C. Gores.  Born March 26, 1857, at Oshkosh, Wis., When thirteen 
years old left school to earn his living.  Admitted to the bar in his 
native city June 26, 1884, and thereupon removed to Eau Claire, where he 
has resided ever since.  For several years a member of the legal firm of 
Gores & Miner, afterwards Gores, Frawley & Miner.  In 1889 chosen by the 
Common Council alderman of the Eighth Ward to fill a vacancy, which choice 
was unanimously ratified by the people at the following election.  Twice 
thereafter elected alderman, the last time without opposition.  Served on 
the School Board and County Board.

Since 1890 practiced law alone, specializing in office work.  In 1897 acted 
as referee to try the case of Laycock vs Parker, which, up to that time, 
was the most lengthy case tried in Eau Claire county.  On appeal to the 
supreme court, the case was affirmed and the court in the opinion expressed 
its special approbation of the manner in which the trial was conducted by 
the referee.  In 1897 appointed as city attorney, to which office thereafter 
two different proffered appointments were declined.

In civic affairs and in politics has always taken a proper degree of 
interest.  At all times a thorough-going, independent and progressive, 
though not an extremist.  Believes that the spoils system tends to draw 
the worst instead of the better men into politics.  During the time of the 
greenback and free silver agitation in 1877 and 1878, contributed newspaper 
article in favor of the resumption of specie payment and against free silver.  
In the last battle for free silver in 1896 wrote a pamphlet entitled "Honest 
Money -- An Essential in the Prosperity of the Republic."  Was the first 
in the city to advocate publicly the adoption of the commission form of 
government for cities.  Thereafter visited Galveston, Tex., where the plan 
was first tried, to observe its practical workings.  In 1905, when it was 
proposed by the governor in his message to Wisconsin legislature to re-
establish the former method of taxing mortgages, Mr. Gores opposed the 
proposition in an exhaustive printed argument entitled "The Taxation of 
Mortgages with Reference to Northern Wisconsin." which was submitted to 
the legislature. The law was left unchanged notwithstanding a governor's 
attitude.

Throughout life has been a strong book lover, and acquired a reading 
knowledge of several foreign languages.  June 18, 1890, was married to Kate 
Schultze, who has resided in the city since her birth.        

--Taken from "The History of Eau Claire County, 1914, Past & Present",
page 289.