James was one of twelve known children of James Gordon and Agnes Glenn. In 1866 his father James, his mother Agnes, and eleven of their children emigrated to Queensland, Australia from County Antrim in Northern Ireland on the "Maryborough". After disembarking in Brisbane, they went north to settle in the Bowen District on a property they called "Gordon Glen".
The eldest of Margaret's brothers, George Gordon, had emigrated to the United States in about 1856 and eventually settled in Fairgrove, Tuscola County, Michigan. All of Margaret's other known siblings settled in Australia.
(Information on James Gordon and Agnes Glenn courtesy of Bill Townsend.)
Note: James Gordon's 1890 death certificate provides the given names and ages of ten of his living children. There is also a note to the effect that he also was the father of two deceased males and three deceased females. Their names are not given.
Obituary:
DEATH OF JAMES GORDON SNR., BOWEN’S OLDEST RESIDENT.
Bowen’s oldest inhabitant, Mr. James Gordon, passed away on Tuesday at the Kennedy Hospital at the advanced age of 94 years. One of the best type of pioneer settler, the late James Gordon was born at Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1846, and spent his adolescent years there. When Mr. Gordon was aged nineteen his parents decided to emigrate with their family to Australia, and sailed in the emigrant ship “Maryborough,” which carried five hundred settlers for the newly established state of Queensland.
After disembarking at Brisbane, the Gordon family came to Bowen on a timber schooner in 1865, and James was offered work by the late Mr. Hall-Scott Snr. at £lO. per year. He refused the offer, however, and went to work for a Mr. Muller father of the well-known family of that name, at Bell's Gully, for several months. Leaving this employer, he travelled to Leichhardt Downs, and worked there for J. G. McDonnell as a shepherd for six months. An engagement as shepherd for Andrew Ross at Jarvisfield followed. Sugar growing was then not thought of in the Burdekin area. The blacks were then very numerous and the young emigrant was not very happy in his lonely task. As they were becoming bold, he asked that another man be sent out to help him, and he was given a Chinese as assistant. That unfortunate individual was doomed to a sudden end, for on the first morning after his arrival, as he emerged from the shepherd’s hut, he was fatally speared by several blacks who had been crouched outside the door in ambush.
After two years, Mr. Gordon returned to Bowen and took up land on the Don, where he resided until his retirement a few years ago. With farming as a sideline, he took up carrying, and loaded wagons for all stations on the Bowen side of Buli-wallah Creek, these including St. Anne’s, Havailah, Eungella, Mt. Douglas, Nettle Downs, Harvest Home and Lornsleigh and he also carried to the Mt. Wyatt silver mine. Other carrying at the time included John Gordon, Fischer (father of H. Fischer, Rosebank), Jack Guild and the Nicols, Jim and Charlie. The carrying work was not without incident and on one occasion a big flood caused him to camp for six weeks on the banks of the Suttor River. Hearing that a further fresh was on its way, he had to take his team across the submerged bridge rather than spend a further six weeks there. The flood waters were level with the floor of the wagon, and Mr. Gordon had to wade ahead and lead the horses. He carried goods to Normanby in 1889, taking the first machinery to the field. This included a boiler weighing seven tons, which was the biggest load ever taken into Normanby. To get this load over the range demanded many horse-power, so Mr. Gordon and his associates harnessed up thirty-one horses to one dray, seven abreast. With this team, the load was taken up the worst pinch without a falter.
The late Mr. Gordon had spent the last few years in retirement in Bowen. Typical of the pioneers, he was a quiet and straight-forward man, who earned the respect of all who knew him. Retaining his full faculties almost to the last, he was a splendid example of the fine type of Britisher who conquered this country in its raw state. He a leaves a sister, Mrs. M. McDonald, and four sons, Messrs. George, Edward, James and Robert Gordon, and a daughter, Mrs. M. H. Thormahlen to mourn their loss.
The funeral left Mrs. McDonald’s residence at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Rev. Robinson (Presbyterian Church) performing the last sad rites at the graveside. Among the wreaths received were the following: Cheffins Bros., Ted, Pearl and family; May Gunning; Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Swiss-Davies and family : Les, Ron and Maggie; George, Joan and family: Mackey & Hathaway; Michael family; Mr. and Mrs. R. Hughes and family; Mr. A. C. Jensen; Mr. and Mrs. Sellars and family; Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney and Celia; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Massy; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Massy, Mr. and Mrs. B. McBain and Joan; Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Kent and family; Members of the Presbyterian Church; Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Miller and Bob; Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Miller and family; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schilling and family; Gough family; Mr. B. J. Magee, Mr. and Mrs. McLean and family; Robert Miller & Cos.; All at Moss Yale; Gladys, Mildred, Beck and Val; E. and M. C. Mackenzie; William and Irene Harris; Betzel Bros: Mr. and Mrs. A. Smith and family; Sister Mary, Bob, Grace, Alex and boys; Ted, Aggie and family, Grace.
(Bowen Independent (Qld. : 1911 - 1954), Friday 29 August 1941, page 5.)
Obituary courtesy of Richie Wright, FAG contributor # 48346415.
Obituary 2:
Bowen's oldest resident Mr. James Gordon passed away on Tuesday night last. Deceased was over 90 years of age at the time of his death and up to recently he enjoyed ferrule good health. He was a well-known carrier in the Bowen district and in the early days was known to many of the old hands of Proserpine who came here from Bowen. Mrs. Mary McDonald who at one time resided in Proserpine is now the only surviving member of the Gordon family and it was at her residence that her brother passed away on Tuesday night.
(The Proserpine Guardian (Qld. : 1935 - 1954) Saturday 30 August 1941 p 2.)
The eldest of Margaret's brothers, George Gordon, had emigrated to the United States in about 1856 and eventually settled in Fairgrove, Tuscola County, Michigan. All of Margaret's other known siblings settled in Australia.
(Information on James Gordon and Agnes Glenn courtesy of Bill Townsend.)
Note: James Gordon's 1890 death certificate provides the given names and ages of ten of his living children. There is also a note to the effect that he also was the father of two deceased males and three deceased females. Their names are not given.
Obituary:
DEATH OF JAMES GORDON SNR., BOWEN’S OLDEST RESIDENT.
Bowen’s oldest inhabitant, Mr. James Gordon, passed away on Tuesday at the Kennedy Hospital at the advanced age of 94 years. One of the best type of pioneer settler, the late James Gordon was born at Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1846, and spent his adolescent years there. When Mr. Gordon was aged nineteen his parents decided to emigrate with their family to Australia, and sailed in the emigrant ship “Maryborough,” which carried five hundred settlers for the newly established state of Queensland.
After disembarking at Brisbane, the Gordon family came to Bowen on a timber schooner in 1865, and James was offered work by the late Mr. Hall-Scott Snr. at £lO. per year. He refused the offer, however, and went to work for a Mr. Muller father of the well-known family of that name, at Bell's Gully, for several months. Leaving this employer, he travelled to Leichhardt Downs, and worked there for J. G. McDonnell as a shepherd for six months. An engagement as shepherd for Andrew Ross at Jarvisfield followed. Sugar growing was then not thought of in the Burdekin area. The blacks were then very numerous and the young emigrant was not very happy in his lonely task. As they were becoming bold, he asked that another man be sent out to help him, and he was given a Chinese as assistant. That unfortunate individual was doomed to a sudden end, for on the first morning after his arrival, as he emerged from the shepherd’s hut, he was fatally speared by several blacks who had been crouched outside the door in ambush.
After two years, Mr. Gordon returned to Bowen and took up land on the Don, where he resided until his retirement a few years ago. With farming as a sideline, he took up carrying, and loaded wagons for all stations on the Bowen side of Buli-wallah Creek, these including St. Anne’s, Havailah, Eungella, Mt. Douglas, Nettle Downs, Harvest Home and Lornsleigh and he also carried to the Mt. Wyatt silver mine. Other carrying at the time included John Gordon, Fischer (father of H. Fischer, Rosebank), Jack Guild and the Nicols, Jim and Charlie. The carrying work was not without incident and on one occasion a big flood caused him to camp for six weeks on the banks of the Suttor River. Hearing that a further fresh was on its way, he had to take his team across the submerged bridge rather than spend a further six weeks there. The flood waters were level with the floor of the wagon, and Mr. Gordon had to wade ahead and lead the horses. He carried goods to Normanby in 1889, taking the first machinery to the field. This included a boiler weighing seven tons, which was the biggest load ever taken into Normanby. To get this load over the range demanded many horse-power, so Mr. Gordon and his associates harnessed up thirty-one horses to one dray, seven abreast. With this team, the load was taken up the worst pinch without a falter.
The late Mr. Gordon had spent the last few years in retirement in Bowen. Typical of the pioneers, he was a quiet and straight-forward man, who earned the respect of all who knew him. Retaining his full faculties almost to the last, he was a splendid example of the fine type of Britisher who conquered this country in its raw state. He a leaves a sister, Mrs. M. McDonald, and four sons, Messrs. George, Edward, James and Robert Gordon, and a daughter, Mrs. M. H. Thormahlen to mourn their loss.
The funeral left Mrs. McDonald’s residence at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Rev. Robinson (Presbyterian Church) performing the last sad rites at the graveside. Among the wreaths received were the following: Cheffins Bros., Ted, Pearl and family; May Gunning; Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Swiss-Davies and family : Les, Ron and Maggie; George, Joan and family: Mackey & Hathaway; Michael family; Mr. and Mrs. R. Hughes and family; Mr. A. C. Jensen; Mr. and Mrs. Sellars and family; Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney and Celia; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Massy; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Massy, Mr. and Mrs. B. McBain and Joan; Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Kent and family; Members of the Presbyterian Church; Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Miller and Bob; Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Miller and family; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schilling and family; Gough family; Mr. B. J. Magee, Mr. and Mrs. McLean and family; Robert Miller & Cos.; All at Moss Yale; Gladys, Mildred, Beck and Val; E. and M. C. Mackenzie; William and Irene Harris; Betzel Bros: Mr. and Mrs. A. Smith and family; Sister Mary, Bob, Grace, Alex and boys; Ted, Aggie and family, Grace.
(Bowen Independent (Qld. : 1911 - 1954), Friday 29 August 1941, page 5.)
Obituary courtesy of Richie Wright, FAG contributor # 48346415.
Obituary 2:
Bowen's oldest resident Mr. James Gordon passed away on Tuesday night last. Deceased was over 90 years of age at the time of his death and up to recently he enjoyed ferrule good health. He was a well-known carrier in the Bowen district and in the early days was known to many of the old hands of Proserpine who came here from Bowen. Mrs. Mary McDonald who at one time resided in Proserpine is now the only surviving member of the Gordon family and it was at her residence that her brother passed away on Tuesday night.
(The Proserpine Guardian (Qld. : 1935 - 1954) Saturday 30 August 1941 p 2.)
James was one of twelve known children of James Gordon and Agnes Glenn. In 1866 his father James, his mother Agnes, and eleven of their children emigrated to Queensland, Australia from County Antrim in Northern Ireland on the "Maryborough". After disembarking in Brisbane, they went north to settle in the Bowen District on a property they called "Gordon Glen".
The eldest of Margaret's brothers, George Gordon, had emigrated to the United States in about 1856 and eventually settled in Fairgrove, Tuscola County, Michigan. All of Margaret's other known siblings settled in Australia.
(Information on James Gordon and Agnes Glenn courtesy of Bill Townsend.)
Note: James Gordon's 1890 death certificate provides the given names and ages of ten of his living children. There is also a note to the effect that he also was the father of two deceased males and three deceased females. Their names are not given.
Obituary:
DEATH OF JAMES GORDON SNR., BOWEN’S OLDEST RESIDENT.
Bowen’s oldest inhabitant, Mr. James Gordon, passed away on Tuesday at the Kennedy Hospital at the advanced age of 94 years. One of the best type of pioneer settler, the late James Gordon was born at Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1846, and spent his adolescent years there. When Mr. Gordon was aged nineteen his parents decided to emigrate with their family to Australia, and sailed in the emigrant ship “Maryborough,” which carried five hundred settlers for the newly established state of Queensland.
After disembarking at Brisbane, the Gordon family came to Bowen on a timber schooner in 1865, and James was offered work by the late Mr. Hall-Scott Snr. at £lO. per year. He refused the offer, however, and went to work for a Mr. Muller father of the well-known family of that name, at Bell's Gully, for several months. Leaving this employer, he travelled to Leichhardt Downs, and worked there for J. G. McDonnell as a shepherd for six months. An engagement as shepherd for Andrew Ross at Jarvisfield followed. Sugar growing was then not thought of in the Burdekin area. The blacks were then very numerous and the young emigrant was not very happy in his lonely task. As they were becoming bold, he asked that another man be sent out to help him, and he was given a Chinese as assistant. That unfortunate individual was doomed to a sudden end, for on the first morning after his arrival, as he emerged from the shepherd’s hut, he was fatally speared by several blacks who had been crouched outside the door in ambush.
After two years, Mr. Gordon returned to Bowen and took up land on the Don, where he resided until his retirement a few years ago. With farming as a sideline, he took up carrying, and loaded wagons for all stations on the Bowen side of Buli-wallah Creek, these including St. Anne’s, Havailah, Eungella, Mt. Douglas, Nettle Downs, Harvest Home and Lornsleigh and he also carried to the Mt. Wyatt silver mine. Other carrying at the time included John Gordon, Fischer (father of H. Fischer, Rosebank), Jack Guild and the Nicols, Jim and Charlie. The carrying work was not without incident and on one occasion a big flood caused him to camp for six weeks on the banks of the Suttor River. Hearing that a further fresh was on its way, he had to take his team across the submerged bridge rather than spend a further six weeks there. The flood waters were level with the floor of the wagon, and Mr. Gordon had to wade ahead and lead the horses. He carried goods to Normanby in 1889, taking the first machinery to the field. This included a boiler weighing seven tons, which was the biggest load ever taken into Normanby. To get this load over the range demanded many horse-power, so Mr. Gordon and his associates harnessed up thirty-one horses to one dray, seven abreast. With this team, the load was taken up the worst pinch without a falter.
The late Mr. Gordon had spent the last few years in retirement in Bowen. Typical of the pioneers, he was a quiet and straight-forward man, who earned the respect of all who knew him. Retaining his full faculties almost to the last, he was a splendid example of the fine type of Britisher who conquered this country in its raw state. He a leaves a sister, Mrs. M. McDonald, and four sons, Messrs. George, Edward, James and Robert Gordon, and a daughter, Mrs. M. H. Thormahlen to mourn their loss.
The funeral left Mrs. McDonald’s residence at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Rev. Robinson (Presbyterian Church) performing the last sad rites at the graveside. Among the wreaths received were the following: Cheffins Bros., Ted, Pearl and family; May Gunning; Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Swiss-Davies and family : Les, Ron and Maggie; George, Joan and family: Mackey & Hathaway; Michael family; Mr. and Mrs. R. Hughes and family; Mr. A. C. Jensen; Mr. and Mrs. Sellars and family; Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney and Celia; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Massy; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Massy, Mr. and Mrs. B. McBain and Joan; Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Kent and family; Members of the Presbyterian Church; Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Miller and Bob; Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Miller and family; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schilling and family; Gough family; Mr. B. J. Magee, Mr. and Mrs. McLean and family; Robert Miller & Cos.; All at Moss Yale; Gladys, Mildred, Beck and Val; E. and M. C. Mackenzie; William and Irene Harris; Betzel Bros: Mr. and Mrs. A. Smith and family; Sister Mary, Bob, Grace, Alex and boys; Ted, Aggie and family, Grace.
(Bowen Independent (Qld. : 1911 - 1954), Friday 29 August 1941, page 5.)
Obituary courtesy of Richie Wright, FAG contributor # 48346415.
Obituary 2:
Bowen's oldest resident Mr. James Gordon passed away on Tuesday night last. Deceased was over 90 years of age at the time of his death and up to recently he enjoyed ferrule good health. He was a well-known carrier in the Bowen district and in the early days was known to many of the old hands of Proserpine who came here from Bowen. Mrs. Mary McDonald who at one time resided in Proserpine is now the only surviving member of the Gordon family and it was at her residence that her brother passed away on Tuesday night.
(The Proserpine Guardian (Qld. : 1935 - 1954) Saturday 30 August 1941 p 2.)
The eldest of Margaret's brothers, George Gordon, had emigrated to the United States in about 1856 and eventually settled in Fairgrove, Tuscola County, Michigan. All of Margaret's other known siblings settled in Australia.
(Information on James Gordon and Agnes Glenn courtesy of Bill Townsend.)
Note: James Gordon's 1890 death certificate provides the given names and ages of ten of his living children. There is also a note to the effect that he also was the father of two deceased males and three deceased females. Their names are not given.
Obituary:
DEATH OF JAMES GORDON SNR., BOWEN’S OLDEST RESIDENT.
Bowen’s oldest inhabitant, Mr. James Gordon, passed away on Tuesday at the Kennedy Hospital at the advanced age of 94 years. One of the best type of pioneer settler, the late James Gordon was born at Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1846, and spent his adolescent years there. When Mr. Gordon was aged nineteen his parents decided to emigrate with their family to Australia, and sailed in the emigrant ship “Maryborough,” which carried five hundred settlers for the newly established state of Queensland.
After disembarking at Brisbane, the Gordon family came to Bowen on a timber schooner in 1865, and James was offered work by the late Mr. Hall-Scott Snr. at £lO. per year. He refused the offer, however, and went to work for a Mr. Muller father of the well-known family of that name, at Bell's Gully, for several months. Leaving this employer, he travelled to Leichhardt Downs, and worked there for J. G. McDonnell as a shepherd for six months. An engagement as shepherd for Andrew Ross at Jarvisfield followed. Sugar growing was then not thought of in the Burdekin area. The blacks were then very numerous and the young emigrant was not very happy in his lonely task. As they were becoming bold, he asked that another man be sent out to help him, and he was given a Chinese as assistant. That unfortunate individual was doomed to a sudden end, for on the first morning after his arrival, as he emerged from the shepherd’s hut, he was fatally speared by several blacks who had been crouched outside the door in ambush.
After two years, Mr. Gordon returned to Bowen and took up land on the Don, where he resided until his retirement a few years ago. With farming as a sideline, he took up carrying, and loaded wagons for all stations on the Bowen side of Buli-wallah Creek, these including St. Anne’s, Havailah, Eungella, Mt. Douglas, Nettle Downs, Harvest Home and Lornsleigh and he also carried to the Mt. Wyatt silver mine. Other carrying at the time included John Gordon, Fischer (father of H. Fischer, Rosebank), Jack Guild and the Nicols, Jim and Charlie. The carrying work was not without incident and on one occasion a big flood caused him to camp for six weeks on the banks of the Suttor River. Hearing that a further fresh was on its way, he had to take his team across the submerged bridge rather than spend a further six weeks there. The flood waters were level with the floor of the wagon, and Mr. Gordon had to wade ahead and lead the horses. He carried goods to Normanby in 1889, taking the first machinery to the field. This included a boiler weighing seven tons, which was the biggest load ever taken into Normanby. To get this load over the range demanded many horse-power, so Mr. Gordon and his associates harnessed up thirty-one horses to one dray, seven abreast. With this team, the load was taken up the worst pinch without a falter.
The late Mr. Gordon had spent the last few years in retirement in Bowen. Typical of the pioneers, he was a quiet and straight-forward man, who earned the respect of all who knew him. Retaining his full faculties almost to the last, he was a splendid example of the fine type of Britisher who conquered this country in its raw state. He a leaves a sister, Mrs. M. McDonald, and four sons, Messrs. George, Edward, James and Robert Gordon, and a daughter, Mrs. M. H. Thormahlen to mourn their loss.
The funeral left Mrs. McDonald’s residence at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Rev. Robinson (Presbyterian Church) performing the last sad rites at the graveside. Among the wreaths received were the following: Cheffins Bros., Ted, Pearl and family; May Gunning; Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Swiss-Davies and family : Les, Ron and Maggie; George, Joan and family: Mackey & Hathaway; Michael family; Mr. and Mrs. R. Hughes and family; Mr. A. C. Jensen; Mr. and Mrs. Sellars and family; Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney and Celia; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Massy; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Massy, Mr. and Mrs. B. McBain and Joan; Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Kent and family; Members of the Presbyterian Church; Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Miller and Bob; Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Miller and family; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schilling and family; Gough family; Mr. B. J. Magee, Mr. and Mrs. McLean and family; Robert Miller & Cos.; All at Moss Yale; Gladys, Mildred, Beck and Val; E. and M. C. Mackenzie; William and Irene Harris; Betzel Bros: Mr. and Mrs. A. Smith and family; Sister Mary, Bob, Grace, Alex and boys; Ted, Aggie and family, Grace.
(Bowen Independent (Qld. : 1911 - 1954), Friday 29 August 1941, page 5.)
Obituary courtesy of Richie Wright, FAG contributor # 48346415.
Obituary 2:
Bowen's oldest resident Mr. James Gordon passed away on Tuesday night last. Deceased was over 90 years of age at the time of his death and up to recently he enjoyed ferrule good health. He was a well-known carrier in the Bowen district and in the early days was known to many of the old hands of Proserpine who came here from Bowen. Mrs. Mary McDonald who at one time resided in Proserpine is now the only surviving member of the Gordon family and it was at her residence that her brother passed away on Tuesday night.
(The Proserpine Guardian (Qld. : 1935 - 1954) Saturday 30 August 1941 p 2.)
Inscription
In Loving Memory
of
WILLIAM JOHN GORDON
SON OF
JAMES AND GRACE GORDON
WHO DIED
MARCH 11TH 1893
A LIGHT IS FROM OUR HOUSEHOLD GONE
THE VOICE WE LOVED IS STILL
A PLACE IS VACANT IN OUR HOME
THE WORLD CAN NEVER FILL.
ALSO GRACE GORDON
DIED 7 AUGUST 1895
AGED 39 YEARS
ALSO JAMES GORDON
DIED 6 AUGUST 1941
AGED 94 YEARS
Family Members
Siblings
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