Armistead C. Gordon

Armistead Churchill Gordon (December 20, 1855 – October 21, 1931) was a Virginia lawyer and a prolific writer of prose and poetry. He served as mayor of Staunton, Virginia.

Early life

Gordon was born on December 20, 1855, at his grandfather's Edgeworth plantation in Albemarle County, Virginia to George Loyall and Mary Long (Daniel) Gordon. His father had graduated from the University of Virginia and practiced law as well as edited the Alexandria Sentinel before his marriage, and would die fighting for the Confederacy with the 15th North Carolina (Edgecompe Guards) at the Battle of Malvern Hill in 1862. His grandfather, Congressman William F. Gordon, operated several plantations using enslaved labor and also served in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly and U.S. Congress. His maternal ancestors included William Randolph and John Stith, of the First Families of Virginia.

Gordon's parents lived at Longwood in Louisa County, Virginia. He had sisters and a younger brother James who would likewise become an attorney and serve in the state senate before moving to New York City. During the American Civil War, his mother moved the family to live on her family's cotton plantation in Halifax County, North Carolina. In 1868, he moved to Charlottesville, Virginia to live with his uncle, Mason Gordon. Gordon attended Charlottesville Institute. Gordon attended the University of Virginia for two years, beginning in 1873, and then taught at Charlottesville Institute and the high school. Gordon then studied law at the University of Virginia School of Law under John B. Minor. He was admitted to the bar in 1879.

Career Law career Gordon started practicing law in Staunton, Virginia in October 1879. From 1883 to 1891, he became associated with Meade F. White and started the firm White and Gordon. During this time, he served as Commonwealth's Attorney for Staunton and then as Commonwealth's Attorney for Augusta County, Virginia. In January 1891, he practiced law under the firm Patrick and Gordon. He continued practicing with the firm until the death of his law partner, William Patrick, in 1909. He continued practicing law independently afterward.

Personal life Gordon married Marie Breckinridge Catlett on October 18, 1883. His wife died in 1930. Together, they had five children: He also received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Washington and Lee University in 1923.

Death Gordon died at his office in Staunton on October 21, 1931. and Harper's Magazine, and other works including a biographical sketch of William J. Robertson