Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/280

 254 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Hon. J. H. Gordon, Q.C., M.L.C., Attomcy-Gencral AMONG three or four brilliant men who entered the South Australian Parliament in the latter half of the decade ended with 1890, was the Hon. J. H. Gordon. There then emerged from comparative obscurity such talented orators and politicians as Mr. Gordon, Mr. Holder, and Dr. Cockburn, men who since that period have wielded an immense influence over public thought and local politics. John Hannah Gordon was born in Scotland in 1850, and is the eldest son of the respected Rev. James Gordon, Presbyterian minister, of Gawler. He came to the Province with his parents in 1859. It does not seem that at first he was intended for the law, for Mr. Gordon entered the count- ing-house of W. Duffield & Co., whence he went to the milling firm of John Dunn & Co. But no doubt showing a predisposition for legal technicalities, he was eventually articled to a firm of lawyers, and in 1876 was admitted to practice at the South Australian Bar. No sphere was better suited to his talents, and he entered upon a successful career. He practised for eleven years at Strathalbyn, where he was monopolised by the people of the countryside who had complaints to make and interests to defend. While in Strathalbyn he was a prominent member of the municipal council, and occupied the office of mayor. To this day Mr. Gordon takes a lively interest in the affairs of that pretty country town. When he left Strathalbyn, Mr. Gordon emigrated to Adelaide, where a wider field opened for his undoubted talents. He entered into partnership with Mr. T. R. Bright — also a successful lawyer from the country, Clare —and the two gentlemen soon secured a good practice. They were subsequently joined by Mr. J. R. Anderson. Kerry & Co., Photo In 1888, Mr. Gordon was elected to the Legislative Council for the Southern