JAMES GORDON HERON was born in Erie, Penn., March 9, 1827, and is a son of Robert E. and Sarah (Bell) Heron. His father was born in Canada, his mother in Pennsylvania. Gordon moved with his parents to Louisville, Kentucky, when he was four years old. He remained with his parents until 1840, when he came to Macoupin county, Illinois, where he lived about ten years, working on a farm. He then moved to Greene county in 1850, and settled on Sec. 10, T. 9, R. 13. Mr. Heron served in the Mexican war, enlisting in Co. I, 1st Ill. Inft., May 13, 1846, at Alton, to serve under the command of Col. E. W. B. Newb y. He was mustered out Oct. 16, 1848, at Alton. On Sept. 25, 1849, Mr. Heron was married to Martha Clark, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Arnold) Clark, natives of Kentucky. They are the parents of nine children - James A., married Alice Medford, lives in this township; Sarah E., wife of W. P. Miller, living in White Hall; Martha G., wife of Oscar P. Reynolds, living at Carrollton; Ada I., John H., Gordon F., Julia R., Luella A. and Carl C. Mr. Heron has 80 acres of land on Sec. 24, T. 9, R. 13. He has served as school director, and has been justice of the peace for 15 years. He is a member of the Baptist church, and is a well respected, law abiding citizen.