a Congregational church. Miss Gordon has made her experience in the thick of the fight and has become one of the acceptable speakers, writers, organizers and managers of the white-ribbon work. She has especial generalistic qualities which will be likely to carry her into that held ultimately, and a hopefulness of spirit that is a benediction to every one she meets.
LAURA DE FORCE GORDON.
GORDON, Mrs. Laura De Force, lawyer and journalist, was born in 1840. Her first ambition was in the line of journalism, and in that she soon succeeded, becoming, in 1873, the editor and publisher of the "Daily Leader" of Stockton, Cal., which she afterward continued as the "Daily Democrat" in Oakland, Cal. While attending the session of the California legislature, in 1877, for the purpose of reporting its proceedings for her paper, Mrs. Gordon, together with Mrs. Knox Goodrich, Laura Watkins and Mrs. Wall is, assisted in the preparation of a bill asking the legislature to allow the admission of women to the bar. That bill was known as "The Woman Lawyer's Bill." When it was presented to the legislature, a long and acrimonious debate took place, in which Mrs. Gordon bore a spirited and brilliant part, and the bill was finally passed. At the same session the legislature founded the Hastings College of Law. Mrs. Gordon decided to become a lawyer, and, when that institution was opened, she applied for admission, but was excluded. Together with Mrs. Foltz, another law student, she brought a writ of mandamus, which was successful, and a year later both women were admitted. Mrs. Gordon was a diligent student and, in 1879, was admitted to the bar. She immediately began the practice of her profession in San Francisco, where she remained for five years. She was admittted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court, 3rd February, 1887, being the second woman allowed to plead before that high court. She is now located in Stockton, Cal.
GORDON, Mrs. S. Anna, physician and author, born in Charlemont, Mass., 9th January, 1832. On her father's side she is a descendant of John Steele, who founded the colony of Connecticut
S. ANNA GORDON.
and established the town, now city, of Hartford. Among the distinguished persons in her family lineage was Noah Webster. On her mother's side she is a descendant of William Ward, of Sudbury, many of whose descendants won historic distinction as military men and statesmen. She early removed with her parents to New York, where she was reared and took the first year of a college course of study, which was afterwards completed in Illinois. She was married in Wisconsin, in 1858, to W. A. Gordon, M. D., of Wausau. Some years previous she had charge of the ladies' department in Rock River Seminary, and subsequently the same position was twice tendered her in Ripon College. The principalship of the State Normal School of Wisconsin, which was soon to be opened, had been tendered her through the governor of the State, and was awaiting her acceptance. She attended teachers' institutes, wherever held throughout the State, for the purpose of agitating the subject of a normal school, until the desire became an object accomplished. After her marriage she immediately commenced the study of medicine with her husband, attended a partial course of lectures, and was called upon by the people to assist him in an overburdening practice. In 1859 and 1860 they were connected with the Smithsonian Institution, taking meteorological notes and making collections for the same. She filled an engagement of one year as associate editor on the "Central Wisconsin," and then joined her husband in Louisville, Ky., where he was stationed most of the time during the Civil War. There she gave considerable time to the study of art, the remaining time being devoted to the relief of the suffering soldiers around her. Situated near her husband's headquarters at
