James Wright Gordon

J. Wright Gordon
3rd Governor of Michigan
In office February 23, 1841 – January 3, 1842
Lieutenant	Thomas J. Drake
Preceded by	William Woodbridge
Succeeded by	John S. Barry
2nd Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
In office January 7, 1840 – February 23, 1841
Governor	William Woodbridge
Preceded by	Edward Mundy
Succeeded by	Thomas J. Drake
Member of the Michigan Senate
In office 1839
Personal details
Born	1809 Plainfield, Connecticut
Died	December 1853 (aged 43–44) Pernambuco, Brazil
Political party	Whig
Religion	?

James Wright Gordon (1809 – December 1853), usually referred to as J. Wright Gordon, was a Whig politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.

Gordon was born in Plainfield, Connecticut and studied law.

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.

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.

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