Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Thursday, September 21, 2006 at 05:53:12 :
Marin Journal
Thursday, February 18, 1897
Goodbye Uncle Joe
Death of a notable octogenarian pioneer, Mr. Joseph Gordon whom everyone knew as Uncle Joe, passed on to the future life on Thursday last. He was a remarkable character. Though a native of Scotland, he was an intense American and he used remarkably terse and rugged English. He was an early pioneer, a 49er. In those days he ran a large teaming business and by judicious investments realized a fortune. He made his home with his niece, Mrs. John Sims.
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Society of California Pioneers Obituaries
Vol. 5, pg 161-163
Joseph Gordon immigrated with his parents from Scotland to Nova Scotia when he was only six months old. Mr. Gordon went to St. Louis as a young man. There he joined the U.S. Army serving in the Mexican War. He was employed in the commissary department. After his service, he went to New Orleans where he stayed until he heard of the gold discoveries in California. He arrived in San Francisco on November 22, 1849 aboard the brig, “Wasson.” He began work hauling lumber from Mission Dolores to San Francisco.
In 1852, he went to the mines in Tuolumne County and then moved to Calaveras County. In 1856, he purchased a stage line which ran from Mokelumne Hill to Sonora. In 1868, he sold the stage line and moved to San Francisco.
He died in San Rafael February 11, 1897. His funeral was held at the First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco and he was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery.
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