Samuel B. Gordon

 

Hon. Samuel B. Gordon.  There are few pioneers of California more widely or favorably known than the subject of this sketch.

 

He was born in Pendleton, South Carolina, January 17, 1828, and while an infant moved with his parents, Thomas F. and Lovina (Powell) Gordon, to Georgia, locating near Clarksville.  Later they moved to Walker county, same State.  His father was a planter and slaveholder, and on the farm Samuel B. was reared.  At the age of twenty-one years he left home and came to California, making there journey hither via Cape Horn, and arriving in San Francisco in 1850.  While in Habersham county, Georgia, a mining district, his father had giving some attention to gold mining, and with him the son had gained some experience in that line.  He accordingly, upon coming to California, proceeded to the mining districts with machinery, which he had brought with him.  He found it of no practical use, however, in California mining, and never utilized it.  He worked in the mines of Yuba with pick and shovel, owned claims, and pursued the business according to the customs of early mining days, remaining thus engaged only about one year.  He then turned his attention to farming about five miles north of San Jose, where he remained two years, after which he removed to Redwood City, San Mateo county.  At the latter place he did a lumbering business.

 

In 1857 Mr. Gordon was elected to the California State Legislature from San Mateo county, and served his constituents with marked ability and discretion, doing important committee work.  He was the first Representative sent from the San Mateo district to the Legislature.  He is a Democrat.  He subsequently served as ex-officio Superintendent of Public Schools of his county, and still later as County Assessor.

 

He came to Monterey county in 1859 and located the Tularcitios and Little Tularcitos ranchos, one and a half leagues, and engaged in raising horses, mules, cattle and sheep.  There he remained until 1888, acquiring ownership to about 5,000 acres of land, and doing an eminently successful business. In 1888 he disposed of his landed interests, came to Monterey and later to Pacific Grove.  At the latter place he built a fine residence and is now living, retired from active business. 

 

Mr. Gordon was married December 11, 1859, to Miss Nancy J. Whisman, daughter on John Whisman, deceased.  Her father, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Missouri, and hence crossed the plains in 1847, locating in Santa Clara county.  Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have had eight children, six of whom are now living.

HON. GEORGE H. BUCK

HON. GEORGE H. BUCK, an eminent jurist and popular citizen of Redwood City, California, where for many years he has acted as Judge of San Mateo county, was born in Harrison, Maine, in 1847.  He received a liberal education and for a time had charge of Gorham’s Seminary and Academy in that State.  His mind took a legal turn, and believing that the bar afforded him an opening, he entered the office of Woodbury & Ingalls, of Boston, Massachusetts, as a student of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1871.  Like most young attorneys, he found it necessary to turn his hand to something while studying for his profession, and accordingly he became a teacher in the Gorham Seminary, where he soon rose to be vice-principal.  After being in this position for some time he went West in search of a wider field for his ambition, taking with him a letter from the authorities of the seminary to the effect that he was “eminently well qualified as a teacher and disciplinarian.”  He next settled in Cincinnati, and soon became one of the attorneys for the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad, which position he held for three years, when his health compelled him to seek a milder climate.  Accordingly, in 1875, he came to California.  In the fall of 1882 he was elected District Attorney, succeeding himself in the years 1884, 1886 and 1888.  In the fall of 1890 he was elected Judge of San Mateo county, to fill an unexpired term, and also for the full term of six years, commencing January 1, 1891.  It is a significant fact that, although he has been a life-long Democrat in politics and his district is largely Republican when party lines are drawn, yet such are his sterling traits of character and professional ability that political preferences and prejudices are laid aside at a convention or election when the magnetism of his personality is exercised.

Judge Buck was married July 14, 1892, to Miss Elizabeth King, an accomplished lady of Redwood City, daughter of Henry King of that place.

The Judge belongs to a number of secret societies, being a member of Metamora Tribe, No. 24, of Redwood City, and was at the session of the Great Council held in 1889, elevated to the stump of Great Sachem, from which position he retired in August, 1890.  He has also held the fraternal office of Noble Grand Arch of the United Ancient Order of Druids, from which office he retired in June, 1892.

In the various walks of life Judge Buck has always been the same able, unpretentious and benevolent gentleman and deservedly enjoys the esteem of a large community.

E.W. Florence

Mr. E.W. Florence who holds a responsible position with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in the county, is one of its foremost men.

Mr. Florence is a native son, being educated in the public schools of Chico, and then graduating from Heald’s Business College in San Francisco.

On February 2, 1901, he entered the employ of the P.G. and E.  Company.  He represented this Company in Chico for eight and a half years; and was then transferred to Fresno as their representative where he remained for two years.  From there he came to Redwood City where he has been for the last four years and a half.