Gordon Frierson

James Gordon Frierson Jr. (November 18, 1872 – October 16, 1951), who went by Gordon Frierson, was an American lawyer and politician who served as the mayor of Jonesboro, Arkansas, from 1917 to 1921. He served in the U.S. Army, ranking as a sergeant in the Spanish–American War.

Early life and education

Around 1878, the family moved to Marion, Arkansas; in 1883, they moved to Jonesboro, the largest city in the region, where they built the Frierson House.

While studying at university, he worked as the executive clerk to Governor William Meade Fishback from 1893 to 1894. In 1896, he graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, receiving his Bachelor of Laws degree.

Law and politics Around the time of receiving his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, presumably afterward, in 1896, Frierson was admitted to the bar in the Circuit and Supreme courts of Arkansas. Moving back to Jonesboro after completing his education, he joined the call to arms to serve in the Spanish–American War.

In 1903 he was elected police judge of Jonesboro, and was reelected two years later.

He served four years, his second term ending in 1921, at which point he was succeeded by Herbert J. Bosler.

Beginning in 1934, he served as the chief deputy U.S. district attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas; he had been recommended to rule by Senator Hattie Caraway. He worked from Little Rock. He retired on May 1, 1947, at age 74. Pearl died on Christmas Day 1934 from coronary occlusion.

On August 23, 1941, at age 64, Frierson married Clara Belle McKinney, 20 years his junior, in Pulaski County, Arkansas. He was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the fraternity Kappa Sigma and the Knights of Pythias. He was buried in Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro on October 18. His nephew-in-law, Governor Francis Cherry, among other relatives, served as a pallbearer.