AUSTIN H. GORDON, deceased, was formerly a well-known and influential farmer and stock-raiser of Kickapoo Township. He was a member of a pioneer family of this county, and himself did much pioneer work in improving one of the finest farms in the township where he located. He was born in North Carolina, April 22, 1812, a son of Samuel and Nancy (Herring) Gordon. His parents came to this county in 1840, and were among the early settlers of Radford Township, where they died. Austin was one of the older members of the parental family. He was in the prime of a vigorous manhood when he accompanied his parents to this county, and here it was his good fortune to meet Miss Harriet Bouton, whom he persuaded to share his life and fortunes, and their marriage was duly solemnized in Jubilee township, March 20, 1851. 

Mrs. Gordon born in Wayne Township, Knox County, Ohio, February 17, 1825, a daughter of Hiel and Maria (Peet) Bouton. Her father was a native of New York, and her mother of Connecticut, and after their marriage they first settled in the former State. They subsequently became pioneers of Knox County, Ohio, and later of Peoria County, this State, whither they had come in 1837. They were among the original settlers of Jubilee Township, where the remainder of their lives were passed. They were the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. Mrs. Gordon being their  sixth child in order of birth. She was twelve years old when to this county with her parents, and was reared to a useful womanhood in Jubilee Township. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gordon began their wedded life in Radnor Township, and livd there until 1848, when they settled on section 2, Kickapoo Township. Here in the course of a busy life he developed a valuable farm, which is amply supplied with comfortable and well-appointed buildings, and its three hundred and seventy acres of land of exceeding fertility is under admirable tillage. Here in this pleasant home he passed from the scene of his usefulness January 17, 1876, leaving an honorable record behind him of good citizenship, of neighborly kindness, and of an upright private life, and the entire community mourned with his bereaved family, feeling that his death was a blow to the interests of the township. Mr. Gordon was a member of the Republican party, and took an active part in politics, and was always prominent in promoting the advancement of Kickapoo in various ways. 

Since the demise of her husband Mrs. Gordon, who is a woman of exceptional character, and of great energy and capability, is managing the farm very ably, and is keeping it up to the same high standard that it had attained during her husband’s lifetime. 

Mrs. Gordon is the mother of the following children: Mary, who died in infancy; Ann M., who is the wife of Christian Wiles; Samuel, who married Hattie B. Vanarsdale; Jennie, a graduate of the State Normal School and a school teacher; Charles; Jessie, who is the wife of Charles K. Slough; Henry C., who married Mary A. Frye; Mattie is the widow of Charles Atwood, who died in Dakota; and Austin.

(page 621)