Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Lewis Publishing Company, 1904,
pp 792-793 [Hopkins]

     W. L. GORDON, a leading and prominent attorney of his native
city of Madisonville, Kentucky, was born November 23, 1837.  The
Gordons were among the first settlers of the territory of Kentucky,
contemporaries of Daniel Boone and others.  William Gordon, the
great-great-grandfather of W. L. Gordon, was a Scot and was beheaded
after a battle in Scotland.  John Gordon, the great-grandfather, was
born in Scotland, was a captain of militia and was killed at the
battle ever memorable in Kentucky history of Licking River, August
17, 1782.  His son, John Gordon, was a native of Woodford county,
Kentucky, was a surveyor and assisted in laying out and organizing
Hopkins county.  Ambrose G. Gordon, the father of W. L. Gordon, was
born in Hopkins county, in 1803.  He served as justice of the peace,
and was a lawyer and prominent man.  His eldest son succeeded him in
practice, and was in turn succeeded by W. L. Gordon.  Ambrose G.
Gordon married Sarah Dobyns, who was a native of Webster county,
Kentucky, but which was then Hopkins county.  They were the parents
of nine children, and all but one grew to manhood and womanhood, but
only one lived to be over forty years of age.
     W. L. Gordon, the fifth child and the only survivor, was reared
and educated in Madisonville, attending the common schools.  He
began the study of law with his brother in 1858, and on April 13,
1859, was licensed to practice.  In 1860 his brother died, and, as
mentioned above, he succeeded to the business.  He has been in
constant practice for over forty years, and one of the best known as
well as one of the most learned lawyers in western Kentucky.   The
firm of which he is the senior member are attorneys for the Illinois
Central Railroad, for the Roanoke Coal Mining Company, the Fidelity
Insurance Company and a number of other concerns, and they handle
the largest amount of legal business of any firm in this part of the
state.  Mr. Gordon has been connected with some of the most
important litigation before county, district and state courts, and
his ability and record are conspicuous in a state noted for its
bright galaxy of legal lights.  During the Civil war he sided with
the Union, although all his people were slaveholders [sic] and
supporters of the "peculiar institution."
     In February, 1860, Mr. Gordon was married to Miss Cordelia
Arnold, who was born in Hopkins county and died in 1897.  Her father
was W. K. Arnold, and her people were early settlers of Hopkins
county, coming here from Tennessee.  Mr. Gordon's eldest son,
William L., Jr., is a civil engineer, and is connected in a
professional and business capacity with some of the leading mining
companies of Hopkins county.  Judge J. F. Gordon, the second son, is
mentioned below.  Morris C., the youngest son, is in partnership
with his father.  The daughter Ora is deceased.  Effie is the wife
of Abner Johnson; and the other daughter is the wife of Ed Thompson. 
Mr. Gordon was formerly a Republican in politics, but is now a
self-styled Mugwump, casting his vote for the best man.  He is a member
of no church, but gives his influence and means for their support. 
He is a public-spirited and upright citizen, his many years filled
with honor and esteem, and is an ornament to the county and state
which gave him birth.

Gordon Boone Dobyns Arnold Johnson Thompson
=
Scotland Woodford-KY Webster-KY TN

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/hopkins/gordon.wl.txt