Sunday, August 12, 2018
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Hanford Gordon & The First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Corporal Hanford Gordon
Company D
Picture below taken shortly after the Civil War, photo credit Minnesota Historical Society
Although this record states he was unwounded, the book Biographical History of the Northwest, by Alonzo Phelps, which seems to be the source for many biographical sketches of my great-great grandfather, states he was shot in the thumb, and also contains a colorful recounting of his capture and escape during his time as a soldier in the First Minnesota.
"At Bull Run he was taken prisoner and put under the guard of two rebel soldiers, one of whom he managed to dispose of by means of his musket, which his captors had taken away from him but had been laid down near a log upon which he was sitting. He then took flight, ran the gauntlet of bullets and made his escape. He received a shot in his haversack and the bullets whistled by him, but he managed to get away.
His health failed, however. His wife came east, perhaps to nurse him. He was diagnosed with lung disease and rheumatism. He was discharged for disability at Camp Stone, MD, on Dec 1, 1861."
Full article:
First Minnesota Net Soldier 407
Company D
Picture below taken shortly after the Civil War, photo credit Minnesota Historical Society
Although this record states he was unwounded, the book Biographical History of the Northwest, by Alonzo Phelps, which seems to be the source for many biographical sketches of my great-great grandfather, states he was shot in the thumb, and also contains a colorful recounting of his capture and escape during his time as a soldier in the First Minnesota.
"At Bull Run he was taken prisoner and put under the guard of two rebel soldiers, one of whom he managed to dispose of by means of his musket, which his captors had taken away from him but had been laid down near a log upon which he was sitting. He then took flight, ran the gauntlet of bullets and made his escape. He received a shot in his haversack and the bullets whistled by him, but he managed to get away.
His health failed, however. His wife came east, perhaps to nurse him. He was diagnosed with lung disease and rheumatism. He was discharged for disability at Camp Stone, MD, on Dec 1, 1861."
Full article:
First Minnesota Net Soldier 407
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Strangers to us all: Lawyers and Poetry
Interesting biographical notes with emphasis on Hanford Lennox Gordon as a lawyer and a poet. Just two important aspects of his life.
A few excerpts from this page:
"After the death of his mother, which event occurred when he was eighteen, he went to study law with an uncle, Hon. Samuel Gordon, at Delhi, Delaware County, N.Y., who was for two terms a member of Congress from his district."
"He was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-one, at Ithaca, N.Y., and began the practice of law at Scio, shortly after."
"In 1863 Mr. Gordon was elected County Attorney of Wright County, and removed to the County seat in the spring of 1864, where he is now practicing law."
"Hanford L. Gordon, was born in the town of Andover, Alleghany County, N.Y., of the 30th day of December, 1836. He is of Scotch descent, his people being descendants of the line of Gordons in Scotland. His father, William B. Gordon, removed to Wellsville, Alleghany County, when he was a very young boy, and at that place he received a very good common school education. His father carried on an extensive lumbering business . . read full article
A few excerpts from this page:
"After the death of his mother, which event occurred when he was eighteen, he went to study law with an uncle, Hon. Samuel Gordon, at Delhi, Delaware County, N.Y., who was for two terms a member of Congress from his district."
"He was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-one, at Ithaca, N.Y., and began the practice of law at Scio, shortly after."
"In 1863 Mr. Gordon was elected County Attorney of Wright County, and removed to the County seat in the spring of 1864, where he is now practicing law."
"Hanford L. Gordon, was born in the town of Andover, Alleghany County, N.Y., of the 30th day of December, 1836. He is of Scotch descent, his people being descendants of the line of Gordons in Scotland. His father, William B. Gordon, removed to Wellsville, Alleghany County, when he was a very young boy, and at that place he received a very good common school education. His father carried on an extensive lumbering business . . read full article
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Hanford L. Gordon and Black Suffrage in Minnesota
He made sure it got done using the legislative tools at his disposal. A very courageous and principled effort.
African American Suffrage in Minnesota, 1868
From their state's admission to the Union until the mid-1860s, a majority of Minnesotans advocated the abolition of slavery in the South. African American suffrage, however, did not enjoy the same support. Minnesota's African American citizens paid taxes, fought in wars, and fostered their communities. But they could not vote, hold political office, or serve on juries. This continued until 1868, when an amendment to the state's constitution approved suffrage for all non-white men...read more from MNopedia
African American Suffrage in Minnesota, 1868
From their state's admission to the Union until the mid-1860s, a majority of Minnesotans advocated the abolition of slavery in the South. African American suffrage, however, did not enjoy the same support. Minnesota's African American citizens paid taxes, fought in wars, and fostered their communities. But they could not vote, hold political office, or serve on juries. This continued until 1868, when an amendment to the state's constitution approved suffrage for all non-white men...read more from MNopedia
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
The Gordon House in San Jose Historic Park
From History/San José The house is currently occupied by the Rotary Club of San Jose.
Hanford Lennox Gordon was... an officer for the Union Army during the Civil War, he also worked as an attorney, farmer, and rancher.
(In particular, he was mustered into the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry when the regiment was organized at Fort Snelling on April 29, 1861.)
Hanford and his wife, Mary, moved from Minnesota to San Jose in 1887, where they puchased this house, originally located at 5303 McKee Road in northeast San Jose. Hanford owned four ranches, including 100+ acres of olive groves on McKee Road — also known as Pala del Rancho . . .read more
Hanford Lennox Gordon was... an officer for the Union Army during the Civil War, he also worked as an attorney, farmer, and rancher.
(In particular, he was mustered into the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry when the regiment was organized at Fort Snelling on April 29, 1861.)
Hanford and his wife, Mary, moved from Minnesota to San Jose in 1887, where they puchased this house, originally located at 5303 McKee Road in northeast San Jose. Hanford owned four ranches, including 100+ acres of olive groves on McKee Road — also known as Pala del Rancho . . .read more
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Friday, March 23, 2018
The Motherlode of Hanford Lennox Gordon archives
I believe that my great-great grandfather considered Minnesota to be his home state, even though he was born and raised in New York state and lived in California for over 30 years.
He donated all he had collected over the years to the Minnesota Historical Society, who has done an inventory of these items.
HANFORD LENNOX GORDON:
An Inventory of His Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society
He donated all he had collected over the years to the Minnesota Historical Society, who has done an inventory of these items.
HANFORD LENNOX GORDON:
An Inventory of His Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society
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