James GORDON

1886 - 1972  (86 years)

• Name	James GORDON
  Born	11 Apr 1886	Dalkey, SA, Australia
  Gender	Male
  General event	Achievements : * Temperance work in the twenties and mid thirties - in halls, not tents * Evangelistic tent missions at Cowandilla and North Perth (with Jeff as song leader) * Maylands Church mission during the war. - "A quisling in our midst" * Orator rather than a preacher - forceful speaker with a commanding voice * Writing : Leaflets, poetry and temperance words to popular tunes. * Duets occasionally with Ruby (bass and contralto) - notably "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah" * Ruby played the organ at Brooklyn Park - also sang solos * Christmas in Angove Street
  Notes for biography	Family tradition has it that James gained some of his oratory skills and commitment to the temperance movement from Coningsby and Gifford. They were first cousins. They met, but there are no indications of extensive personal contact between them. Con was 10 years older than James, and Giff was 4 years older.
  Notes for biography	Health: Something happened in Fremantle about 1950 and his eye was removed at St John of God Hospital in Subiaco and he got a glass eye.
  Notes for biography	Owen Church of Christ: The members of the Young People's Berean Class held their meeting on Thursday evenings when Mr Jas. Gordon occupied toe chair. The evening was devoted to "Temperance", papers being given by Messrs. Fred. Pinkney, and L. M. Gordon, which were much appreciated. Mr. W. R. Ashman, who represented the Christian Endeavor Society, spoke on the subject, and he, with Messrs. W. Marshman and R. J. Finlayson spoke of the greater need for the young men of Owen to have some better means of spending and improving their time. Several suggestions were made, and the meeting was greatly in sympathy. Miss RJ and Mr. KJ Finlayson rendered a duet "For you I am praying." (Kapunda Herald, 9th July 1909, p2)
  Notes for biography	1922
  	Insolvency: In Adelaide 3rd March James Gordon, of Owen, storekeeper appeared before Mr. Commissioner Mitchell. Mr CH Powers appeared for the insolvent and Dr. TJ Browne for the petitioning creditor. The official receiver's report showed that the insolvent's liabilities totalled £3,246 and his assets £830. The creditors included relatives of the insolvent. An offer to pay compensation of 5/- in the pound was accepted. (Adelaide Register, 4th March 1922, p10)
  Notes for biography	1937	Northam   [1]
  	Pastor James Gordon performed the ceremony and Ruby played the organ for the wedding on March 6th 1937 in the Church of Christ, Northam. Mr Gordon also chaired the reception. The groom was Leighton Winston Lane of Wongan Hills, and the bride was Rosella Milward of Kellerberrin.
  Notes for biography	1941
  	James was the Conference President for the Churches of Christ throughout Western Australia in 1941.
  Notes for biography	1941	North Perth   [2]
  	Pastor James Gordon performed the ceremony for the marriage of Joyce Brigatti and James Rutherford - at the Church of Christ, Woodville St, North Perth.
  Notes for biography	1942	Northam   [3]
  	Six o'clock closing - Northam Resolutions: Under the auspices of the WA 6 O'Clock and Temperance Council citizens' rallies are being held in the larger country centres. On Friday a meeting was held in the Northam Town Hall, with the Rev H, H. Pennell, President of the Methodist Conference, in the chair. A motion was carried urging the Government to extend the operation of the 6 o'clock closing regulation to Northam and throughout the whole State, because it was in the interests of national efficiency and the cause for which the United Nations were fighting. It was decided to urge the Government to prohibit the sale of bottled liquor after 4 pin each day. Pastor James Gordon, of North Perth, was the guest speaker.
  Notes for biography	1944	York   [4]
  	Pastor James Gordon, of Northam, performed the burial obsequies at the funeral of Fennell Wildred Henry Lawrence (father of Ray & Eric) - in York.
  Occupation	Feb 1946	Fremantle   [5]
  	New Port Pastor: Mr James Gordon, pastor of the Church of Christ, Northam, for six years, has been appointed pastor of the Church of Christ, Fremantle. He succeeds Pastor C. H. Hunt, who recently took over the duties of chaplain-manager of the British Sailors' Society, Fremantle. Mr Gordon will visit the Eastern States before taking up his new appointment.
  Notes for biography	May 1946	Fremantle   [6]
  	Church news: Mr. James Gordon, formerly pastor of Northam Church of Christ, has returned from a brief visit to the Eastern States, and is entering upon a ministry with the Church of Christ, High-street, Fremantle.
  Occupation	Occupations : * He was a storekeeper at the time of his marriage in 1912. * James was declared insolvent in the Adelaide Supreme Court on 12th February 1922 (ref : p712 of the gazette of South Australia). At the time he was described as a storekeeper of Owen. * AMP sales representative in Georgetown in early 1920s * Baptist Minister at Georgetown in circuit with Clover Hill * Church of Christ minister at Owen, Brooklyn/Cowandilla, Northam, North Perth and Fremantle as well as an interim ministry in Bassendean * Retired at 65 yrs
  Residence	Residences : * Georgetown as a school boy * Owen at the time of wedding * Georgetown - back there as the Baptist minister and insurance salesman - the 3 children attended school there for 3 years * Brooklyn Park - the church did not provide a manse so they stayed in several different houses in the xxx years they were there - in 1934 they were at Underdale. (ref : Adelaide Chronicle, 7th June 1934, p 16) * New Mile End * Northam * North Perth * Palmyra * North Perth (again) * Shenton Park * Sandy Bay in 1966
  Died	28 May 1972	Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
  Buried	Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart
  Person ID	I10	Alexander & Jessie
  Last Modified	7 Sep 2022

  
  

  Father	Donald Matheson GORDON,   b. 4 May 1856, Strathalbyn, SA, Australia ,   d. 18 Feb 1923, Jamestown, SA, Australia  (Age 66 years)
  Mother	Annie MCLACHLAN,   b. 9 Oct 1863, Bunbury, WA, Australia ,   d. 28 May 1934, Jamestown, SA, Australia  (Age 70 years)
  Married	13 Mar 1884	"Dalkieth", SA   [7]
  Wedding	Wedding : Annie and Donald were married on 13th March 1884. The wedding was held at her father's farm,where Donald was working. The celebrant was William Judd.
  Family ID	F3	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Ruby Jubiletta FINLAYSON,   b. 9 Jul 1887, Owen, SA, Australia ,   d. 29 May 1978, Calvary Hospital, Lenah Valley, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia  (Age 90 years)
  Married	20 Mar 1912	Christian Chapel, Grote St, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  Wedding	Wedding : 20th (or 8th???) March 1912 at Christian Chapel, Grote Street, Adelaide. Witnesses were Linley M Gordon and Annie CM Gordon. Officiator was James Edward Thomas.
  Children	+ 1. Jefferson Weyburn GORDON,   b. 15 Feb 1913, Balaklava, SA, Australia ,   d. 15 Mar 2005, Forest Lake, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia  (Age 92 years)  [Birth] + 2. Coralie Marie GORDON,   b. 12 Mar 1917, Adelaide, SA, Australia ,   d. 4 Sep 2009, Narma, Adelaide, SA  (Age 92 years)  [Birth]   3. Lionel Finlayson - 'Bill' GORDON,   b. 1 May 1918, Adelaide, SA, Australia ,   d. 6 Jul 2005, Perth, WA, Australia  (Age 87 years)  [Birth]
  Last Modified	16 Jun 2019
  Family ID	F4	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		James Gordon & Ruby (Finlayson) - golden wedding anniversary At 80 Angove St, North Perth on 20th March 1962 - James & Ruby together
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Gordons & McLachlans about 1896 * Annie & Donald Gordon (with children James, Ethel, Katherine & Linley) * Annie's parents (James & Catherine McLachlan) * Donald's nephew (Lav)
  		Gravestone of James Gordon 28th May 1972 and Ruby, nee Finlayson 29th May 1978 James Gordon, dearly beloved husband of Ruby, loved father of Jefferson, Coralie and Lionel, died 28th May 1972 aged 86 years, forever remembered. Also Ruby, dearly loved wife and mother of the above, died 29th May 1978, aged 90 years.
  		James & Ruby - with Judy's pram

  
  

  Headstones

  W - James Gordon, died 28th May 1972 & Ruby Gordon, died 29th May 1878 - gravestone in Hobart Section FG, plot 427 in Methodist section of Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart. "James Gordon, dearly beloved husband of Ruby, loved and loving father of Jefferson, Coralie and Lionel,died 28th May 1972, aged 86 years, forever remembered" "also Ruby dearly loved and wife and mother of the above, died 29th May 1978, aged 90 years"

  
  

  Documents » Slide Show		James Gordon - orbituary in 1972 - by Keith Robertson
  		WW - James Gordon - born 11th April 1886 in Dalkey Father: Donald Gordon Mother: Annie McLachlan
  		WW - James Gordon & Ruby Jubilletta - married 20th March 1912 in Adelaide Place of wedding: Christian Chapel in Adelaide Groom: aged 25 yrs, born c1887, single, son on Donald Gordon Bride: aged 24 yrs, born c1888, single, daughter of David Finlayson
  		Raymond Finlayson & James Gordon - advertisements for business together in Owen in 1909 & 1910 There were many advertisements: * Finlayson & Gordon, Owen, Always keep a well stock assorted stock of grocery, crockery, fancy goods, confectionery &c * Finlayson and Gordon, The house for Farmer's Requisites and Ironmongery

  
  

  Stories

  3.50 - James GORDON and Ruby, nee FINLAYSON James was born in 1886 in Dalkey. Ruby was born in 1887 in Owen. They grew up together in the small town of Owen in South Australia. They married in 1912 and had three children. Jefferson (‘Jeff’), then Coralie and Lionel (‘Bill’). James ran a shop in Owen for a decade and then was a church minister for 25 years. He was stationed at churches in Owen, Georgetown, Cowandilla-Brooklyn Park, Northam, North Perth and Fremantle. He was active in the temperance movement and also conducted tent missions. James died in Hobart in 1972, aged 86 years. Ruby died there in 1978, aged 90 years. (Biography by Don Gordon - updated in July 2019)

  
  

• Sources

  [S1] Trove newspapers, Western Mail, Perth, 22nd April 1937, page 36. [S1] Trove newspapers, Sunday Times, Perth, 29th June 1941, page 16. [S1] Trove newspapers, West Australian, Perth, 18 Juneth 1942, page 2. [S1] Trove newspapers, York Leader and Quairading and Dangin Herald, 5th May 1944, page 4. [S1] Trove newspapers, Daily News. Perth, 25th February 1946, page 6. [S1] Trove newspapers, West Australian, Perth, 18th May 1946, page 6. [S16] Colin Semmler - these notes can be seen with Documents on the left of the home page, Page 23.