From the Lodi Sentinel, 27 Aug 1903:
Departed This Life on Monday, August 24, 1903, With the Strange Request That His Body Be Cremated and His Ashes Cast on the Waters of the San Francisco Bar -- A Short Biographical Sketch.
In the death of Dr. Gordon Lodi loses one of its oldest and most notable citizens. As briefly noted in Tuesday's Sentinel, he passed away at 11:10 o'clock Monday night, attended by his loving wife who had so faithfully nursed him during his last illness. He had been in poor health for the past five years but was able to be out and attending to business the greater part of the time, and it was the devotion to his profession that hastened the end. The cause of death was kidney trouble.
Charles Howard Gordon was born on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, August 16, 1833, and was 70 years and 8 days old at the time of his death. He received a liberal educational training in his youth and was graduated from Christ's College, London.
At an early age he entered the Queen's Navy and was rapidly advanced to the rank of Lieutenant. For a number of months his vessel cruised about the ports lining the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. That portion of the world was then in a very turbulent state and the young officer experienced more thrilling adventures than fall to the lot of most travelers. He took an active part in the campaign against the slave traffic, receiving frequent commendation for personal bravery. He also saw service in India and was in the allied army of England and France.
Young Gordon came to this country at the outbreak of the Civil War and being skilled in military tactics and anxious for adventure he had no difficulty in securing a commission as an officer. His first work for the government was in the purchase of supplies and minitions of warfare.
At that time the government was being systematically robbed by a set of schemers and dealers who were disposing of worthless, worn-out horses and mules and inferior goods and articles at fancy prices. Officer Gordon was too much of a man to be bribed and too well trained in campaigning to be hoodwinked. He served well the interests of the country of his adoption to the end that many a dishonest deal was checkmated.
A number of recruits having been secured from the slums of New York City it was necessary that they be drilled by an officer of more than ordinary ability. They were a tough lot of ignorant bullies, being utterly regardless of the law, order or authority. Several officers had tried to handle them and had signally failed, and it looked like a hopeless case when Officer Gordon took them in hand. Emboldened through their success at having trampled the authority of older drillmasters they thought to put the new officer to flight in short order. The conflict was brief and decisive, resulting in the leader being carried out on a stretcher and the balance of the mob going through the manual of arms with the good grace of a lot of Sunday school lads. He turned them out eventually as the best drilled company in the regiment.
Captain of Company E, Third Rhode Island Cavalry was the next command held by Officer Gordon, and later he saw active service in the south throughout that memorable struggle. Whether it was leading his men in an attack, aiding a wounded comrade on the bloody field, preserving law, order and discipline, or defending a helpless woman against insult, he was always the brave and skillful officer, the kind and courteous gentleman and the true and loyal friend.
Soon after the close of the war he came to this State and engaged in business, devoting his spare tme to completing his medical studies, later securing a license to practice as a physician and surgeon. As a practitioner he met with more than ordinary success, securing a large clientele. Had he not devoted time and money to enterprises outside of his profession he would have amassed a fortune. As it was, only the sudden and unxpected failure of Barring Brothers, the great London bankers, prevented his becoming a millionaire.
In 1880 Dr. Gordon was united in marriage to Miss Emelie Stafford of San Francisco, who survives him. He leaves a small estate consisting of a life insurance policy for $2000, stock of unknown value and personal property.
Dr. Gordon took an active part in Democratic politics, being one of the party leaders and frequently serving as chairman of the conventions. He was firm in his convictions, a staunch friend and a bitter enemy. But in politics, as in everything else, he was fair, square and honest, and no one had to guess his position.
A notable man indeed was Dr. Gordon. He was well educated, informed on almost any topic that could be presented and always thoroughly abreast of the times, even up to his last fatal illness. But he possessed one trait for which his friends always loved him, and his enemies (for Dr. Gordon was too manly to be without enemies) always honored him. He was kind and generous to the poor. He would give his last penny to a needy one, and to many a disheartened individual the world has been made to appear brighter and life worth the living through the thoughtful kindness of this friend to humanity.
In compliance with the wishes of the deceased no funeral services were held. The body was prepared for cremation by Undertaker A. T. Rutledge and was taken to San Francisco on the 6:50 train yesterday morning. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Foresters of America and Ancient Order United Workmen. These lodges sent as an escort the following members: H. E. Welch, Dr. J. M. Blodgett, George Reasoner, A. Bauer, Greer MacDonald and Fred Cary.