1914 Biography - Minos T. Gordy

Gordy, Judge Minos T., district attorney, district judge, justice of the Court of Appeals, member constitutional convention, member criminal code commission, Abbeville, Vermilion parish. La., was born in St. Mary parish. La., Sept. 29, 1865; son of Minos T. and Betty Ann (Johnson) Gordy, the former of whom was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, and, in the year 1837, when 8 years old, came to Louisiana with his parents and located in St. Mary parish. He became an architect and builder, and, excepting a few years previous to his death, in Oct., 1911, made his home at Franklin. He died at Abbeville. Betty Ann (Johnson) Gordy, the mother, was born in Henderson county, Ky., and located in St. Mary parish, La., following her marriage, which took place in Texas. The paternal grandfather, John Collins Gordy, was a native of the state of Maryland. He was a practicing physician and a prominent Mason, and during many years occupied the office of state lecturer for the Masonic order. He was one of the earlier physicians of the vicinity of Franklin, and his practice was in and around that place. The paternal grandmother was a Miss Hern, and the maternal grandmother, Miss Young. Minos T. Gordy, the subject of this sketch, received his earlier education at the public schools of Franklin. Later he attended Rugby academy at Franklin and in 1880 entered Louisiana State university, from which he graduated with the degree of B. S. in the class of 1883. Following his graduation he was employed as a clerk in stores at Franklin and Abbeville, and while so employed at the latter place began the study of law, under the direction of the law firm of White & O'Bryan of Abbeville. In 1888 he entered the law school of Tulane university, from which he graduated with his legal degree in the class of 1889, shortly thereafter beginning practice at Abbeville, where he has since remained. In 1890 he was appointed district attorney by Gov. Nicholls, to succeed R. C. Smedes, who had died in office. In 1892 he was elected to that office to succeed himself, and in 1896 was reelected, serving until 1900. In 1898 he was elected and served as a member of the constitutional convention of that year. In 1900 he was elected district judge for a term of 4 years. By virtue of his office as district judge he also served on the bench as a judge of the Court of Appeals. Since 1904 he has been engaged in the private practice of law. By Gov. J. Y. Sanders Judge Gordy was appointed a member of the criminal code commission, charged with the work of codifying the criminal laws of the state of Louisiana. April 28, 1896, Judge Gordy was married to Miss Laura Cage Haynes of Wilkinson county, Miss., and 3 sons have been born to their union, namely: John Collins, Sept. 8, 1897; Walter Haynes, May 18, 1899; Minos T., Jr., Feb. 28, 1900. Judge Gordy has voted the Democratic ticket throughout the term of his political affiliation. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Episcopal church. Judge Gordy was leading assistant to the district attorney in the prosecution of Dora Murff and James Duval at Crowley, Acadia parish, recently. This case attracted very wide attention during its pendency, and able council was engaged on both sides. Both defendants were convicted.

Extracted 2020 Nov 01 by Norma Hass, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 181-182.

---