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Alberta, Past and Present, Historical and Biographical
Vol 3
George Gordon


There is no man in the province of Alberta more familiar with newspaper work in all of its phases than George Gordon, editor and publisher of the Ponoka Herald. He was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the 8th of October, 1868, a son of John and Jessie (Barker) Gordon, likewise natives of that country, both of whom have passed away.

In the acquirement of his education George Gordon attended the public schools of his birthplace and at the age of thirteen years started upon a seven-year apprenticeship in the printing business. He learned the trade on the Northern Chronicle, where he started feeding job presses. From that kind of work he went up through the various stages of the news- paper business, thence into book work and finally into general job work. By the time he was twenty years of age he was thoroughly versed in all phases of the printing business. He followed that line of work in the old country for some time, until his wife's ill health and his desire for a change caused him to come to Canada. Red Deer was the first place in which he located, arriving there in 1904. He accepted a position on the newspaper there but a week later resigned and came to Ponoka. At that time the Ponoka Herald was for sale. Mr. Gordon was not financially able to purchase the paper, but the business men of Ponoka came to his aid. The paper, which had heretofore been in a very bad condition, soon became a progressive and interesting sheet and today it has a substantial circulation and is accorded a place among the most representative papers in the province. Mr. Gordon has proven himself a man of keen discrimination and business ability and through the Ponoka Herald has assisted in the furtherance of many movements for the upbuilding of the community. He has won the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen and well merits the success he has achieved.

Mr. Gordon was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Fraser and to them two children have been born: John, a veteran of the Great war, who served overseas with the Canadian army; and Marjorie.

Although the greater part of Mr. Gordon's time is devoted to his newspaper work, he has been prominent in political circles both as a member of the town council and as mayor of the community. During his administration in the office of mayor he inaugurated and brought to completion many movements resulting in the development and improvement of Ponoka. For six years Mr. Gordon was secretary and treasurer of the local Board of Trade. He is a great believer in the future of western Canada and one of Ponoka's most active boosters. He finds his greatest recreation in outdoor sports and spends a great deal of his spare time in duck hunting.



 


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