Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-04-09
]. BIpDLE GORDON. ESQ nEc,n

j.. IL.
Esq. on Monday evening April 1st, 1856, Jo-
SLAB W. SMITH, Esq, was called to the chair,
". a. Wallace, John L. Cutie, Jno. f. Wea-
yer, Robert Wallace, Sr., Ellis Irwin and Will
liam Porter, Esqs., were selected as Vice Pres
ldents, and L. Jackson Grams and Thomas j.
Mccullough appointed Secretaries.
John l.. Cutie, Esq. announced, in beauti-
full and very feeling manner, the death of JAMES
BIDDLE GoRDox, Esq, a 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.
-4lera,,der Irin, Esq. followed him, and in
the most feeling manner alluded to his intima-
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.
L. Jackson Grams, 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 mournfal event to those who were liv-
ing.
J. B. McEnally, Esq. rose and said
Mr.. President-Death, when it comes, al
though we may be admonished of its approach,
inspires terror. When the aged man, whose
he III, x-I.o Faa lIoJ
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 fraity.
Seldom or never was 1 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. My acquaintance with him
commenced over l2 years ago. 1t was in the
fall Of 1S43 that 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 l remember those days. 1 recolect, |
too, how differently the visions of life doomed |
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 fancies of youth gradually |
depart, and new sentiments and new feelings |
occupy their place. There were lS 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 /
reer In about three years after we had sepa-
rated, four out of the small class were num-
bered with the dead. Since that time have |
ceased to trace them in their several steps |
They are scattered abroad and dwell know |
have ceased to live.
About three years ago, it devolved upon me,
as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the |
Ciearfield Academy, to enter into some cor
rcspondence for the purpose of procuring |
teacher. letter received from a friend high |
ly recommended Mr. Gordon, of Virginia. |
The result was partial engagement. The |
person who had been recommended arrived !
and. to my surprise, proved to be my former |
known to you all. After teaching few N onths |
he resumed the practice 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. He 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 man so young and employed in his |
professional business, he certainly must rank |
high as scholar. As student, he loved the |
languages, and his ability to learn them was cf |
the highest order. Latin and Greek he learn |
ed with ease. Besides his own native tongue, |
he spoke French and German with huency, |
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 stranger, with nothing to aid him but his |
own native abilities. But he succeeded we'll |
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 will 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 we 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 privilege to add an
humble tribute to his memory This is n sad |