The man whose name initiates this brief sketch, Pearley J. Gordon, belongs to that class of representative citizens who promote the general prosperity of the community where he resides, for he is known as a man of prompt and honorable dealings and enjoys the confidence of those whom he meets in his business relations, both as merchant and postmaster. He was born in Charleston, Montgomery county, New York, on November 26, 1874, and his parents were David C. and Josephine (Davis) Gordon. David C. Gordon was born on April 17, 1840, in the town of Charleston, and died in Tribes Hill, on the 18th of April, 1920, having been a farmer by occupation. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Coombes Gordon. Josephine (Davis) Gordon, mother of Pearley J. Gordon, was born in the town of Charleston, Montgomery county, New York, on September 1, 1844, and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. John S. Dorn, in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the daughter of Henry Davis.
Pearley J. Gordon received his early education in the district schools in that portion of the town of Charleston known as Oak Ridge. At the age of fifteen he began as a grocery clerk for J. H. Gordon & Son of Sloansville, New York, and worked for this firm for five years. He then became connected with the grocery firm of Van Dever & Hamilton in Madison, New Jersey, and remained one year, and then returned to Glen, New York, and clerked in the general store at Devenpeck Brothers for six years, after which he went to Atlanta, Georgia, where he clerked for his brother-in-law, John S. Dorn, in the dairy business. Here he remained for two years, and then came to Tribes Hill, New York, where he and his brother, Judson C. Gordon, bought out the general merchandise store of Van Wie & Hanson, and are still conducting the business at the same place.
On May 27, 1902, in Amsterdam, New York, Mr. Gordon was united in marriage to Miss Grace Ellen Baird, who was born in the town of Charleston on December 21, 1880, and is the daughter of Lewis L. and Sarah E. (Hoag) Baird. She was educated in the district school in the town of Charleston. Her father, Lewis L. Baird, was born in the town of Charleston, New York, and died in the same place. He followed agricultural pursuits. Sarah E. (Hoag) Baird, mother of Mrs. Gordon, was born in the town of Charleston, and is now living with her daughter at Tribes Hill. Mrs. Gordon is a member of the Presbyterian church of Tribes Hill and of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the church. She is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her political preferences are for the democratic party.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pearley J. Gordon: La Verne David was born on September 29, 1903, at Tribes Hill, and died in 1906; Sylvia Baird Gordon was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 29, 1903, and graduated from the Tribes Hill public school in 1916 and from the Amsterdam high school in 1922. She is now associated with her father's firm in the capacity of bookkeeper; Leah Mae Gordon was born in Tribes Hill, on November 20, 1908, and graduated from the Tribes Hill public school in 1920. She is now a student at the high school in Amsterdam; Ethlyn Marie Gordon was born in Tribes Hill, on January 16, 1911, and graduated from the Tribes Hill public school in 1924.
Mr. Pearley J. Gordon has been postmaster at Tribes Hill since April 1, 1905, and during the World war was actively engaged in the selling of war savings stamps for the government. He is a Mason and a member of Artson Lodge, No. 84, of Amsterdam. His church associations are in the Tribes Hill Presbyterian church, where he is a trustee. He is affiliated with the democratic party but is an independent voter. For diversion he enjoys automobiling. Mr. Gordon has been fortunate in possessing both ability and character, and when favoring opportunity has been presented he has never hesitated to take the step forward.