William D. Gordon (politician) explained

William D. Gordon
Office:United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan
Term Start:1898
Term End:1906
Appointer:William McKinley
Predecessor:Alfred P. Lyon
Successor:Frank H. Watson
Order2:34th
Office2:Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives
Term Start2:1895
Term End2:1898
Predecessor2:William A. Tateum
Successor2:Edgar J. Adams
State House3:Michigan
District3:Midland
Term Start3:1893
Term End3:1898
Predecessor3:Abram D. Salisbury
Successor3:Duncan A. Wayne
Birth Date:7 June 1858
Birth Place:Bayfield, Canada West
Death Place:Bay City, Michigan
Alma Mater:University of Michigan Law School

William D. Gordon (1858–1917) was a politician and attorney from Michigan who served as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan from 1898 to 1906, and who had previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives, and as Speaker of the House during the 38th and 39th Legislatures.[1]

Born in Canada in 1858, Gordon's family moved to Michigan when he was 17, and Gordon attended school in Bay City. Graduating from the University of Michigan Law School at age 21, Gordon established a practice in Midland and became active in the local Republican Party. Gordon would go on to serve as the circuit court commissioner, county prosecuting attorney, probate judge, and later city attorney. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1893 and served three terms, his final two as Speaker. Gordon was appointed U.S. Attorney in 1898 by President William McKinley and he served in that office for eight years. Gordon died in Bay City in 1917, aged 59.[2]

Notes and References

  1. http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/gordon.html#433.53.65 The Political Graveyard: Gordon, William D.
  2. Book: Parker, Ross. Carving Out the Rule of Law: The History of the United States Attorney's Office in Eastern Michigan, 1815-2008. 2009. AuthorHouse. 978-1438937366. 107–110.