D2 William Alexander Gordon, born October 22, 1846, died October 12, 1909 in Chicago, Illinois; married 1872 Helen Jackson, born March 24, 1850, died February 26, 1903.

The Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh,WI)
Tue 12 Oct 1909
page one

Dr. W. A. Gordon, superintendent of the Wisconsin Northern Hospital for the Insane, died at seven o'clock this morning, at the Chicago hospital. His death was due to cancer which assumed a malignant form seven weeks ago. Since that time, he has been under the treatment of Physicians. Two days ago, Dr. Gordon went to the Chicago hospital where efforts to prolong his life failed.

His father was a Presbyterian minister; his maternal grandfather was also a minister at Winneconne and Neenah. He changed the methods of treatment for the mentally ill very much during his work at the Northern State Hospital.

The Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, WI)
Fri 27 Feb 1903
page 3

Mrs. Helen Jackson Gordon, wife of Dr. W. A. Gordon, superintendent of the Northern state hospital for the insane, died suddenly Thursday afternoon about 4:45 o'clock. She passed away at her home in the hospital building at Winnebago from the effects of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Although Mrs. Gordon had been ill with diabetes for several years past this had not prevented her from visiting this city frequently and moving in social circles and her illness was probably known only to a very few intimate friends. About ten days ago she experienced an attack of the disease that prostrated her and it was feared she would not live. She rallied, however, and was able to move about her apartments. About five minutes previous to the cerebral hemorrhage she had been walking about her room and there was no intimation that death was near. Her condition due to diabetes had not been considered critical with the exception of the serious attack about ten days ago, hence her sudden death was a great shock to the family and friends. The many friends in this city will be surprised and deeply shocked to learn of her untimely death.

Mrs. W. A. Gordon was one of the most prominent residents of Oshkosh and she was a member of one of the pioneer families of this city. Up to the time Dr. Gordon was appointed superintending physician at the hospital he practiced medicine in this city and Mrs. Gordon lived in this city. At the time Dr. Gordon received his appointment the family lived at 61 Union street, near the corner of Church street. Mrs. Gordon was born in Oshkosh in the year 1850 and she would have been fifty-three years of age on March 24. Her father was the late Joseph Jackson, one of the first settlers of Oshkosh and the second mayor of this city from 1854 to 1855. Mr. Jackson moved to Oshkosh in 1838 and built a log house on the site of Kahler's Brewery which has since been torn down and the home of ex-Senator C. W. Davis now occupies the site. In 1844, Mr. Jackson built the first frame house in Oshkosh, occupying a portion of the present site of the Beckwith house. It is told of Mr. Jackson that he was in love with a daughter of George Wright who followed close after the Stanleys and Gallups in settling in Oshkosh. Mr. Jackson, it seems, had come from Detroit to Green Bay and had there met Emeline Wright previous to the removal of her family from Green Bay to Brothertown, and later to "Saukeer", the name given to the old Second ward, Oshkosh. Mr. Jackson was evidently unable to remain away from the object of his affections, and he put in an appearance at the home of his prospective father-in-law in March 1838. On the eighth day of that month, the nuptials were celebrated at the Stanley home, all of the pioneer families being present. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Stephen Peet of Green Bay who had inserted in The Democrat of that village a notice thereof and locating the marriage of the happy couple at "Athens" now Oshkosh. This was the first marriage which occurred in Winnebago County between two white persons.

Mr. Jackson was also the first chief of police of this city, having previously been village marshal. At one time he owned nearly all of the land that now forms the business section of the city.

Mrs. Gordon was married to Dr. Gordon in 1872. She was an accomplished woman and a musician of ability and for a number of years sang at church services here. She was born in the Jackson residence that stood on the site of the present First Congregational Church, corner of Algoma and Bond streets.

Mrs. Gordon is survived by her husband and two children. A son, William A. Gordon, is a graduate of the Oshkosh Normal school and is just finishing a course of study at Rush Medical college, following graduation from Chicago University. A daughter, Kate Gordon, graduated from the Oshkosh Normal school, and Chicago University and after taking post graduate work and receiving a number of honorary titles she became instructor of psychology at the Rockford, IL, seminary.

There are also surviving a brother, Robert Jackson of Shawano and two sisters, Miss Martha Jackson, formerly of this city now of Denver, and Mrs. Samuel Rhodes of Mountain Home, ID. The son and daughter arrived home this morning and Miss Martha Jackson leaves Denver today for this city. The funeral will occur Sunday and the services may be held in Trinity Episcopal Church of which the deceased was a member. Rev. John W. Greenwood will officiate.

Children of William Alexander Gordon and Helen Jackson:

E1 Dr. William Alexander Gordon, born November 20, 1876, died December 10, 1907.

E2 Kate Gordon, born February 18, 1878; married _______ Moore.