Lieutenant Thomas J. Drake Religion ? Succeeded by John S. Barry Political party Whig Party Whig Party | Preceded by Edward Mundy Education Harvard University Preceded by William Woodbridge Name James Gordon Resigned January 3, 1842 | |
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Role Former Governor of Michigan Died December 1853, Pernambuco, Brazil Previous office Governor of Michigan (1841–1842) | ||
James Wright Gordon (1809 – December 1853), usually referred to as J. Wright Gordon, was a Whig politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.
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Gordon was born in Plainfield, Connecticut and studied law.
Life and politics in Michigan
He later moved to Michigan, establishing a practice in Marshall, and also lived for a time in Battle Creek. He was a member of the Michigan State Senate (6th district) in 1839 and served as the second Lieutenant Governor from 1840 to 1841.
Gordon became the third Governor of Michigan ex officio, when William Woodbridge resigned on February 23, 1841, to become a U.S. Senator. He completed the remainder of Woodbridge's term, until January 3, 1842.
He ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Representative from Michigan's 2nd congressional district in 1846 and 1847, being defeated by John Smith Chipman.
Death in Brazil
Gordon was U.S. Consul in Pernambuco, Brazil from 1850 to 1853 and died at the age of 44, while in office, when he accidentally fell to his death from a second-story balcony.
J. Wright Gordon is interred in Brazil.