William F. Gordon

William Fitzhugh Gordon was born at "Germanna", a plantation near Fredericksburg, Virginia. He attended Spring Hill Academy and later studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1808.[1]

Gordon commenced practicing law at Orange Court House, Virginia. He moved to Charlottesville, Virginia in 1809 to continue his practice and eventually became the city's commonwealth attorney in 1812. He served in the War of 1812, attaining the rank of major general in the Virginia Militia. Gordon later became a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, serving from 1818 to 1829 and a member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829-1830. He was elected a Jacksonian to the United States House of Representatives to fill a vacancy in 1830, serving until 1835.[1] He earned the nickname "Sub-Treasury Gordon" for helping to devise the Sub-Treasury Act in 1844, an act that separated the federal government from banks.[2]

After being unsuccessful for reelection, Gordon engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a delegate to the Southern Convention in Nashville, Tennessee in 1850.[1] He served as a Democrat.[3]

Armistead C. Gordon, lawyer and writer, was a grandson of Gordon.[2]

Gordon died at his plantation called "Edgeworth" in Albemarle County, Virginia on July 21, 1858. He was interred at the family cemetery in Springfield, Virginia.[1][3]

• United States Congress. "William F. Gordon (id: G000319)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

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