BISHOP GORDON

In what is now the Orchard Lake area, the Gordon's were among the very first pioneers, settling around the 1850's. His grand-daughter, Idella McElrath Cook, recalls that he raised hogs and hauled feed from Minneapolis by hours-drawn wagons.

The Gordon place was later known as "Bishop's Gardens" because he raised beautiful flowers of all varieties, and even today traces of iris and tiger lilies are in evidence.

Mr. Gordon lived long enough to see the Dan Patch Railroad replace horses as a means of traveling to the cities. In trying to catch the train one day, he over-exerted himself and died of a heart attack in the Lakeville station. It was Leo Vanderschaegen who identified him.

The Gordon place was used as a home for the elderly people on welfare or pensions, then rented to people who only used it as a summer home, until the Herb Crossons bought it in 1940. It is now owned by Jack Horner and is now for sale.