Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-04-09
J.BIpDLE GORDON, Esq, DECD.

Esq. on Monday evening April 1st, 1855, Jo-
sIAH W. SMITH, Esq, was called TO the chair, i
W. a. Wallace, John L. Cutie, Jno. F. Wea-
liam Porter, Esqs., were selected as Vice Pres
idents, and L. Jackson Grams and Thomas j.
Mccullough appointed Secretaries.
John L. CuttIs, ESQ. announced, in beaut
ful and very feeling manner, the death of JAMES
BIDDLE GORDON, Esq, member of the Clear
field Bar. He spoke of the sudden death; the
circumstances attending his short illness; and
of his full faith in his happy departure. He
spoke of his own intimacy with him, of his
many virtues, and of his irreparable loss. RI
.4lerander I5pin, Esq. followed him, andin
the most feeling manner alluded to his intina-
cy with the deceased said he had been an in
mate of his house for near three years and that
| as gentleman of high and honorable bearing,
and robleness of heart, he could bear ample
/ testimony. He spoke of the deceased, his
many virtues and social qualities, as long as
the emotions Of his own heart would allow
him to do so. fa
| L. Jackson CrGrs, Esq spoke at some length
| of the sudden shock the community had re-
! ceived, and of the high order of talent with
| which the deceased was endowed. He made
some very appropriate remarks in application
of the mournful event to those who were liv-
ing. - .-,t
J. b. McERaliy, Esq. rose and said:
| Mr.. President-Death, when it comes, al
| thOughwe may be admonished of its approach,
inspires terror. When the aged man, whose
| limbs tremble and whose feet totter, is called
from earth, even then we are filed with awe.
| But when one who stands by our side, in appa-
| rent health and with all the fond promises of
life before him, is suddenly struck down, we
are reminded with terrible emphasis Of the un-
certainty of our days and of our own frailty
| Seldom or never was / more powerfully i'm
pressed with this solemn truth, than upon the
announcement made this afternoon that our
professional brother, James Biddle Gordon,
was dead. Perhaps / have known him longer
than any ore here. Ny acquaintance with him
commenced over 12 years ago. 1t was in the
! fall OF 1913 that l entered Dickinson College
at Carlisle, and joined the Junior class. Mr..
Gordon was at that time member of that
| class We were classmates together for near
ly two years, and graduated together in 1915.
| Well do 1 remember those days. 1 recollect,
too, how differently the visions of life loomed
| up in our imaginations then from what they
have been realized since. As years steal on
US, change change comes over the spirit of
our dreams. The flncies of youth gradually
| depart, and new sentiments and new feelings
! occupy their place. There were Is in the
class, and perhaps all Of them expecting long
life. Yet how many have already fallen before
they had more than fairly started in their Ca
Feeri In about three years after we had sepa-
rated, four out of the small class were num-
bered with the dead. Since that time 1 have
ceased to trace them in their several steps.
They are scattered abroad and dwell know
not where; nor can say how many, now,
| have ceased to live.
About three years ago, it devolyed upon me,
as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the
Clearfeld Academy, to enter into some cor
respondence for the purpose of procuring
| teacher. a letter received from a friend high
! ly recommended a Mr.. ordon, of Virginia.
The result was partial engagement. The
person who had been recommended arrived
and. to my surprise, proved to be my former
| clasSmate. Since that time, his history is
knowntoyou all. After teaching a few months
he resumed the pgactice of the law in Clear
field. For more than two years he has been
one Of our number.
There was one trait in his character more
prominent, perhaps, than any other. lie was
frank and open. He despised trickery and de-
ceit. To his friends he was generous and free,
and towards all men without disguise.
! For n man So yorruu aud aunrIoyad -,
professional business, he certainly must rank
high as scholar. AS a student, he loved the
| languages, and his ability to learn them was Of
the highest order. Latin aud Greek he learn
ed with case. Besides his own native tongue.
he spoke French and German with fuency.
and, it is said, had acquired good knowledge
OF Italian. No man in this county, and but
fewin the State, were his equals in this respect.
lie had talent, too, that needed only appli-
cation to enable him to take high position in
his profession. He entered on practice here
as a stranger, with nothing to aid him but his
OWN native abilities. But lie succeeded well
at least as well as any man could have expected
| to do-under the same circumstances.
But time would fail to recount all. He is
dead. His earthly remains viii soon repose
in the tomb, whittier We must all, in due time,
follow him. Truly we may say, how quickly
We fall and how soon are forgotten!
Hon. g. r. Barrett, who was present, rose
and said
Mr.. President Though less acquainted and
less intimate with the deceased than many who
are present, esteem it a privilege to add an
humble tribute to his memory! This is sad
and nournful occasion to us all. No heart