William D. Gordon (politician)

This article is about the politician and attorney. For the actor, see William D. Gordon (actor).

William D. Gordon
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan
In office 1898–1906
Appointed by	William McKinley
Preceded by	Alfred P. Lyon
Succeeded by	Frank H. Watson
34th Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives
In office 1895–1898
Preceded by	William A. Tateum
Succeeded by	Edgar J. Adams
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the Midland district
In office 1893–1898
Preceded by	Abram D. Salisbury
Succeeded by	Duncan A. Wayne
Personal details
Born	(1858-06-07)June 7, 1858 Bayfield, Canada West
Died	June 20, 1917(1917-06-20) (aged 59) 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]

References

1. The Political Graveyard: Gordon, William D.
2. Parker, Ross (2009). Carving Out the Rule of Law: The History of the United States Attorney's Office in Eastern Michigan, 1815-2008. AuthorHouse. pp. 107–110. ISBN 978-1438937366.