James Nelson Gordon

Other Events:

• Race: White
• Reference Number: 6670
• Residence: 1900, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1910, Fairhaven, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: Between 1917 and 1918, Clare, Michigan, USA; Age: 36
• Residence: 1920, Greenwood, Clare, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1930, Greenwood, Clare, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1935, Clare, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1940, Greenwood, Clare, Michigan, USA; Age: 59; Marital Status: Divorced; Relation to Head of House: Head

Notes:

BIRTH: 20 Apr 1881 in Caseville, Michigan.

PARENTS: Stephen Gordon and Harriet Campbell

MARRIAGE: Cora Taylor 4 Aug 1908 in Essex, Ontario, Canada. They had one child, a daughter, Capitola. They divorced 30 Oct 1913.
second 3 Jan 1916 he married Virgina Caruthers in Boone, Missouri. They had 11 children. They divoced on 13 May 1940 in Clare, Michigan.

OCCUPATION: James listed his occupation as barber on his 1908 marriage record. Various census and other records list his occupation as farmer. On 11 Nov 1940 he was employed as a deck hand on the 420 foot Great Lakes freighter, SS William B. Davock. It was on this date that a major storm on Lake Michigan with winds of up to 80 mph (referred to as The Armistice Day blizzard) sunk the SS WIlliam B Davock off Pentwater, Michigan with the loss of all lives (either 32 or 33) on board.

DEATH: 11 Nov 1940

BURIAL: Died at sea. Body not recovered.

THE SS WILLIAM B DAVOCK:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The SS William B. Davock was a lake freighter that was constructed in 1907 by Great Lakes Engineering Works, at their St. Clair, MI facility for the Vulcan Steamship Co. (R.H. Pigott, Mgr.). She was operated by Vulcan Steamship from 1907 to 1915 in The Great Lakes coal, iron ore, grain and stone trades. In 1915 the ship came under the management of The Interlake Steamship Co. (Pickands Mather & Co., Mgrs.). While laid up for the winter (1922-23) in Fairport, Ohio, she was reconstructed and updated, this work lead to a tonnage change in the amount of 4220 gross - 2671 net. The Davock resumed its traditional trade pattern of coal carried to upper lakes ports from Lake Erie and iron ore from Lake Superior ports to the steel mills of Lake Erie and Lake Michigan.
This routine was permanently disrupted on November 11, 1940 as a ferocious storm swept the lakes late on that Monday afternoon. Considered to be the worst storm to that point on Lake Michigan it saw 75 mph winds and rain turning to snow. Several vessels transiting Lake Michigan were caught with little warning. The Davock making her way down the lake with coal for Chicago was presumably overwhelmed at the height of the storm succumbing to the intense wind and waves, and slipping to her final resting place ~200 feet below the surface five miles out from Little Sable Point between Ludington, Michigan and Pentwater, Michigan. None of the 32 (some sources cite 33) hands survived. In total the storm took two vessels and their entire crews (Davock, and Kinsman Steamer Anna C. Minch). Several other vessels were damaged, or ran aground trying to escape the storm's fury. Overall estimates state 59 sailors were lost in what would be the worst maritime disaster on the Great Lakes since the Great Storm of 1913.
Early in 2015, Michigan Shipwreck Research Association, a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Holland, MI announced the results of a 2014 survey of the wreck which revealed the cause of the William B. Davock's loss was a broken rudder, which jammed against the propeller breaking off one or more blades, rendering the vessel without steering or propulsion. This allowed the boat to fall into the trough of the waves, where it was swamped and perhaps capsized before sinking. It sank in more than 200 feet of water, taking all hands with it. Diver Jeff Vos captured the only video images of the wreck showing the damaged rudder and propeller.[1]
The Davock today
The sunken hull of the Davock was discovered in May 1972, capsized in over 200 feet (60m) of water, off Little Sable Point Light, not far from the wreck of the SS Anna C. Minch, which went down in the same storm. The light is located south of Pentwater, Michigan.[2]
References
1.Champion, Brandon (March 11, 2015). "Shipwreck explorers solve 75-year-old mystery surrounding William B. Davock freighter sunk in Lake Michigan". Muskegon Chronicle. Muskegon, Michigan. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
2.Dwight Boyer (1974). Strange Adventures of the Great Lakes. LOC #74-7771.

The wreckage of the Davock was found in May of 1972 by John Steele, Kent Bellrichard and Bill Cohrs. She lies upside-down with coal strewn about and her rudder hard to port.
The following is the text from a Michigan Historical marker in Pentwater:
“The most disastrous day in the history of Lake Michigan shipping was Armistice (now Veterans) Day, November 11, 1940. With seventy-five-mile-per-hour winds and twenty-foot waves, a raging storm destroyed three ships and claimed the lives of fifty-nine seamen. Two freighters sank with all hands lost, and a third, the Novadoc, ran aground with the loss of two crew members. Bodies washed ashore throughout the day. As night fell, a heavy snow storm arrived. Rescue efforts by the Coast Guard and local citizens continued for three days after the storm. Three Pentwater fishermen were later recognized by the local community and the Canadian government for their bravery in rescuing seventeen sailors from the Novadoc.” These fishermen, aboard the Three Brothers, ventured out to rescue the men when even the official search and rescue agencies would not.
Early in 2015, Michigan Shipwreck Research Association announced the results of a 2014 survey of the wreck which revealed the cause of the Davock loss was a broken rudder, which jammed against the propeller breaking off one or more blades, rendering the vessel without steering or propulsion. This allowed the boat to fall into the rough of the waves, where it was swamped and perhaps capsized before sinking. It sank in more than 200 feet of water, taking all hands with it. Diver Jeff Vos captured the only video images of the wreck showing the damaged rudder and propeller.


Died:
Died at sea

James married Virginia Franklin Caruthers on 3 Jan 1916 in Boone, Missouri, USA. Virginia (daughter of Leander {Lee} Caruthers and Ella Price Hutchison) was born in Aug 1895 in Missouri, USA; died about 1957 in Clare, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Lucille Ester Gordon was born on 6 Nov 1916 in Greenwood, Clare, Michigan, USA; died before 2005.
2. Onnalee Ruth Gordon was born on 21 Oct 1917 in Greenwood, Clare, Michigan, USA; died on 19 Apr 2005 in Deford, Tuscola, Michigan, USA.
3. Byron Allen Gordon was born on 5 Oct 1918 in Greenwood, Clare, Michigan, USA; died on 29 Jan 2009 in Midland, Michigan, USA.
4. James Nelson Gordon, Jr. was born on 13 Jul 1920 in Clare, Michigan, USA; died on 13 Mar 2007 in Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan, United States of America; was buried in Delta Township, Eaton County, Michigan, United States of America.
5. Ace Durwin Gordon was born on 4 Apr 1922 in Harrison, Clare, Michigan, USA; died on 3 Dec 1992 in Temple, Bell, Texas, USA.
6. Edward Grant Gordon was born on 20 Feb 1924 in Harrison, Clare, Michigan, USA; died on 14 Jun 1977 in Flint, Genesee, Michigan, USA.
7. Royal Carl Gordon was born on 9 Jun 1925 in Harrison, Clare, Michigan, USA; died on 13 Aug 1983 in Flint, Genesee, Michigan, USA.
8. Mildred Ethel Gordon was born on 4 May 1929 in Harrison, Clare, Michigan, USA; died on 5 Aug 1993 in Pontiac, Oakland, Michigan, USA.
9. Robert Earl Gordon was born on 2 Apr 1931 in Harrison, Clare, Michigan, USA; died on 14 Dec 1992.
10. Marshall D. Gordon was born on 15 Nov 1933; died before 2005.
11. Melvin Dale Gordon was born on 15 Nov 1933 in Harrison, Clare, Michigan, USA; died on 21 Jun 1975 in Flint, Genesee, Michigan, USA.

James married Cora Taylor on 4 Aug 1908 in Essex, Ontario, Canada, and was divorced on 30 Oct 1913 in Huron, Michigan, USA. Cora (daughter of Delmore Taylor and Martha Campbell) was born on 21 Sep 1889 in Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Capitola E Gordon was born on 18 Jun 1909 in Michigan, USA; died on 8 Jul 1977 in San Diego, California, USA.

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 6027
• Residence: 1852, Cayuga, Haldimand, Ontario, Canada; near Niagara---see notes for age question
• Residence: 1860, Lexington, Sanilac, Michigan, USA
• Arrival: 1863
• Residence: 1870, White Rock, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1880, Bloomfield, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1900, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1910, McKinley, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1920, Greenwood, Clare, Michigan, USA

Notes:

Stephen married Harriet Campbell on 29 Sep 1876 in Bloomfield, Huron, Michigan, USA. Harriet (daughter of Horatio E Campbell and Sarah Lounsbury) was born on 31 Dec 1851 in Huron County, Michigan, USA; died on 13 Jul 1916 in Greenwood, Clare, Michigan, USA; was buried in Clare, Clare County, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Race: White
• Name: Harriet Campbell
• Name: Harriette Campbell
• Reference Number: 6764
• Residence: Bay City, Bay, Michigan, USA
• Birth: 1850, Canada
• Birth: 1850, USA
• Birth: 31 Dec 1851, Michigan, USA
• Birth: Dec 1852, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1860, Marion, Sanilac, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1880, Bloomfield, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1900, Fairhaven, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1910, McKinley, Huron, Michigan, USA

Notes:

born Canada or U.S? All census entries after 1850 and death cert say Michigan. Only 1850 census says Canada.

Marriage record shows Hattie McDonald. Appears to be Harriet Campbell, time frame, township are all correct. Harriet had a prior marriage to John Sanfield McDonald.


Died:
Age: 64

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 6592
• Birth: 1825, Canada
• Residence: 1851, Cayuga, Haldimand, Ontario, Canada; near Niagara
• Residence: 1860, Lexington, Sanilac, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1 Jul 1863, Worth, Sanilac, Michigan, USA
• _MILT: 2 Dec 1863, St Clair, Michigan, USA; Age: 38
• Residence: 1870, White Rock, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Occupation: May 1870; Occupation listed as blacksmith on daughter Louisa's birth record

Notes:

James Gordon served in the 1st regiment of the Michigan Mechanics and Engineers during the Civil War. Per his widows's pension application, he died 8 Feb 1871 at or near Elm Creek in Huron County, Michigan. Per the same pension application the couple were married by Wm. Willoughby on 2 Aug 1847 in Trafalgar, Ontario.

James married Leah Furler on 2 Aug 1847 in Trafalgar, Halton, Ontario, Canada. Leah (daughter of Cornelius Furler and Mary Godfrey or Gallop) was born on 14 May 1831 in Ontario, Canada; died on 13 Jan 1903 in Port Huron, St Clair, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 6559
• Residence: 1852, Cayuga, Haldimand, Ontario, Canada
• Arrival: 1860
• Residence: 1860, Lexington, Sanilac, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1870, White Rock, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1880, Bloomfield, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1900, St Clair, Michigan, USA

Notes:

Death certificate shows parents are father/Furler mother/Godfrey.

I have found five documents with Leah's maiden name; two spell it Furlow (son Eli's marriage record, dau Louisa's first marriage record) and 3 spell it Furler (dau Louisa's second marriage, Leah's Death Certificate, dau Louisa's 3rd marriage). Canadian research seems to indicate the family name was actually Furler. A Civil War Widow's application filled out and signed by Leah Gordon, very clearly gives her maiden name as Furler. See http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rykbrown/furler.htm for information on the Furler family in Canada.

Leah may be a sister to Sarah Furler, daughter of Cornelius Furler and Mary Godfrey. Their ages are 4 years apart, they lived in the same general area and death certificates of each list Furler and Godfrey as parents. Other sources list Cornelius Furler being married to Mary Ann Gallop. Perhaps Gallop and Godfrey, due to spelling or transcription errors refer to the same person or perhaps Cornelius had multiple wives.

Sarah Furler married James Felker. Their son Walter married Mary Gordon, the daughter of James and Leah. In fact Walter and Mary are living next to James and Leah's son Stephen Gordon in the 1880 census. On the same census in the next household are James Felker and Sarah Furler. If Leah and Sarah are sisters, then that would mean that their children are in a first cousin marriage. Perhaps their relationship is something else.

Also of Interest; Judy G has an autosomal DNA match with a descendant of Sarah Furler with 1 segment of 29 cM's in common. If Leah and Sarah are sisters, this would be a relationship of 3rd cousin once removed. If, for example, Leah and Sarah were 1st cousins, this relationship would become 4th cousin once removed. Both of those relationships could be consistent with 29 cM's in common. In any case, I think that we can be certain the Leah and Sarah Furler are somehow related.

Other Events:

• Name: Horatio Campbell
• Name: Horatio Campell
• Name: Huston Campbell
• Name: Robert Campbell
• Reference Number: 6044
• Birth: 1827
• Birth: Abt 1828, Canada
• Birth: Abt 1830, Canada
• Birth: Abt 1833, Canada
• Birth: Abt 1833, Canada
• Residence: 1850, Waterloo, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1860, Marion, Sanilac, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1870, Dwight, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1880, Dwight, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1900, Fairhaven, Huron, Michigan, USA

Notes:

on1900 census with stephen gordon and delmar taylor

Birth:
Canada

Buried:
Old Bay Port Cemetery per findagrave.com

Horatio married Sarah Lounsbury in 1848 in Brant, Ontario, Canada. Sarah (daughter of William Barker Lounsbury and Sarah Corey) was born in 1833 in Canada; died on 30 Jul 1910 in Huron, Michigan, USA; was buried in Jul 1910 in Huron, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Sarah Campell
• Reference Number: 6043
• Birth: 1833
• Residence: 1850, Waterloo, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1860, Marion, Sanilac, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1870, Dwight, Huron, Michigan, USA
• Arrival: 1886
• Residence: 1900, Fairhaven, Huron, Michigan, USA

Notes:

We have the Campbell and Lounsbury families moving from Brant, Ontario to Clare County, Michigan. The naming patterns are very similar between the Lounsbury's in Ontario and the Lounsbury and Campbell families in Clare County. It is very possible that two Campbell brothers (John Alexander and Horatio) married two Lounsbury sisters (Mary C and Sarah) and then both families moved to Clare County. Several on-line trees show these relationships, but I have not yet found explicit proof.

The name Sarah Lounsbury appears on George Campbell, Alexander Campbell and Major Campbell marriage record. The name Lounsburg appears on Harriet Campbell death record.

Some genealogies have her born nov 1828 in Brant County, Ontario.

The book "Some Descendants of Richard Lounsberry" by John Freund shows William B Lounsbury and Sarah Cory having a daughter Sarah in 1833, but no spouse is given.

"Cory's of America Ancestors and Descendants" compiled by Al Bertus Cory, 1991 edition. On p.25 Sarah dau of Thomas Cory married William Launsbury; Their child #6, Sarah married Horatio Campbell and they lived in Michigan.

Sarahs death certificate lists Edward Lounsbury as father, but the first name could be an error, or it could invalidate the hints in the previous paragraphs?

Birth:
per u.s. census

Birth:
calc from dod

Buried:
Old Bay Port Cemetery per findagrave.com

Notes:

Married:
per msg board

Other Events:

• Birth: Pennsylvania, USA
• Name: Furler
• Reference Number: 6227
• Birth: 1794
• Residence: 1852, Lincoln County, Ontario, Canada; Age: 59
• Residence: 1861, Lincoln, Ontario, Canada; Age: 67; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Head

Cornelius married Mary Godfrey or Gallop. Mary was born in 1806 in USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Birth: Pennsylvania, USA
• Reference Number: 5898
• Residence: 1852, Lincoln County, Ontario, Canada; Age: 59

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5479
• Residence: 1850, Waterloo, Jackson, Michigan, USA

Alexander married Sarah Koepler {Koessler?}. Sarah was born about 1789 in Canada; died in Jan 1850 in Jackson, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Birth: Massachusetts, USA
• Name: Sarah Campbell
• Reference Number: 5895

Notes:

Died:
Age: 61

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5877
• Residence: Canada; per dau Sarahs death record

Notes:

online trees list death in Michigan about 1870. I don't have any records that he was in Michigan.

Birth:
baptism date

William married Sarah Corey on 12 Apr 1817 in Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada. Sarah (daughter of Thomas Corey and Catherine Vail) was born in 1798 in New Brunswick, Canada; died in 1883 in Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 6176

Notes:

According to Genealogies at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Canada Sarah was married 1st to William Lounsbury and 2nd to Alexander Campbell and then moved to Ontario. However the Brant County, Ontario Gen web at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~onbrant/biosbran1.htm has a biography of her son Morris that shows that it was William and Sarah (not Alexander) who moved from New Brunswick and all children are Lounsburys. So it would seem that either Alexander Campbell was the first husband, who did not move to Ontario or it is simply in error and he was not a husband. See Morris Lounsbury (b. 1831) for full writeup.