Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
David S. Gordon Biography

DAVID S. GORDON, a native of the middle west, manifests in his life the spirit of activity and energy so typical of this section of the country. He was born in Lanawee county, Michigan, July 20, 1863, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage, the family originating in Scotland, although Robert and Jane (Barnes) Gordon, the parents of the subject, came to America from the north of Ireland. It was in the year 1857 that the father crossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in Rhode Island, where he remained for four years, removing then to Michigan in 1861. Purchasing a farm in Lenawee county he continued its cultivation for two years and then he sold his property and went to Wisconsin. After a short time, however, he removed to Indiana in 1865 and bought a farm in Porter county, making it his home for a few years. For four years he lived in Lake county, that state, where he also carried on agricultural pursuits and in 1878 he brought his family to South Dakota, establishing his home in Yankton county. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of government land, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. He built a shanty and also a dugout and four years later he erected a nice residence. He has also built large barns upon his place and still occupies the old homestead, which he has developed into a splendid farming property, its rich fields and excellent improvements giving evidence of his careful supervision and enterprising spirit. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church and in its work he takes an active and helpful part. His political faith is that of the Republican party. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have been born seven children: Hannah, who died in infancy, as did the second child; R. J., who married Miss Dunlap and after her death wedded Lucy Robinson, his home being now in Viborg, South Dakota. He has a family of four children and he owns eleven hundred and twenty acres of land, but is living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Mary J., born November 3, 1861, became the wife of M. J. Mann. who has 
resided in South Dakota since 1886 and is now a farmer of Yankton county. They had four children and on the 15th of May, 1902, Mrs. Mann departed this life. David is the next younger. James B. wedded Mrs. Mallons and is a farmer of Edwards county, South Dakota. He had three children, of whom two are now deceased. Williarm C. married Mary Christoperson and has three children, their home being on the old homestead. All of the children were provided with good educational privileges and three of the number have been successful teachers. Mrs. Gordon died November 2, 1903. 

Like the others of the family, David S. Gordon attended the public schools and in his youth he was also trained to the work of the home farm, remaining with his father until nineteen years of age, when he began teaching school. When twenty years of age he rented a farm and thus continued to operate land for several years. In the spring of 1884 he bought one hundred and sixty acres on Clay creek, Yankton county, all of which was wild, but he has placed many improvements upon the land, has built a fine residence, a large and substantial barn, has planted trees and now has a very desirable property, attractive in appearance. His farm comprises altogether two hundred acres and in connection with the cultivation of the fields he raises high grades of cattle and hogs. 

On the 20th of April, 1899, Mr. Gordon was united in marriage to Miss Bertha, a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Hormel) Rinker, both of whom were natives of Iowa and at an early day came to South Dakota. The father was identified with agricultural interests for many years and became a well-known farmer but is now living in Sioux Falls. His wife, however, has passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have been born three children: Ethel E., whose birth occurred January 15, 1901; Adaline M., who was born September 20, 1902, and Robert J., born July 10, 1903. Mr. Gordon endorses the principles of the Republican party by casting his ballot for its candidates.