James Wright Gordon
James Wright Gordon (1809 – December 1853), usually referred to as J. Wright Gordon, was a Whig politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.
James Wright Gordon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 3rd Governor of Michigan | |
| In office February 23, 1841 – January 3, 1842 | |
| Lieutenant | Thomas J. Drake |
| Preceded by | William Woodbridge |
| Succeeded by | John S. Barry |
| 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Michigan | |
| In office January 7, 1840 – February 23, 1841 | |
| Governor | William Woodbridge |
| Preceded by | Edward Mundy |
| Succeeded by | Thomas J. Drake |
| Member of the Michigan Senate | |
| In office 1839 | |
| Succeeded by | Henry P. Bridge |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1809 Plainfield, Connecticut, US |
| Died | December 1853 (aged 43–44) Pernambuco, Brazil |
| Political party | Whig |
Life and politics in Michigan
Gordon was born in Plainfield, Connecticut and studied law at Harvard University.[1] He was a descendant of Edmond Gordon the immigrant, who arrived from England in 1635 as part of the Puritan migration to New England.
He later moved to Michigan, establishing a practice in Marshall, and also lived for a time in Battle Creek. He was a member of the Michigan State Senate (6th district) in 1839 and served as the second lieutenant governor of Michigan from 1840 to 1841.
Gordon became the third governor of Michigan ex officio, when William Woodbridge resigned on February 23, 1841, to become a U.S. Senator. He completed the remainder of Woodbridge's term, until January 3, 1842.
He ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Representative from Michigan's 2nd congressional district in 1846 and 1847, being defeated by John Smith Chipman.
Death in Brazil
Gordon was at the U.S. Consul in Pernambuco, Brazil from 1850 to 1853 and died at the age of 44, while in office, when he accidentally fell to his death from a second-story balcony. He is buried in Brazil.
References
- "James Wright Gordon". January 2011.
