Joseph was born July 28, 1833 in Carroll County TN to Robert Boaz Gordon and Milly Pitts. His parents moved their family to Conway County AR about 1844 when he was 11 years old.
On Aug 4, 1859 at age 27 he married Una Elvira Pate, age 16. She was the daughter of William Pate & Lovica McAllister. The marriage was performed by Alexander Gordon, his brother, who was a Justice of Peace for Conway County. They began their life farming for awhile in Van Buren County AR and then in Conway County AR in Lick Mountain township.
At age 29 Joseph enlisted on Jan 8, 1862 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 31st Arkansas Infantry, Co C, C.S.A. The record shows he had black hair, blue eyes, fair complexion and 5' 10". After the reorganization of his company, he enlisted in the AR 17th Regiment, Co A, C.S.A.
On Sep 12, 1863 he was listed as "deserted on the retreat from Little Rock AR" and by Jan 5, 1865 he was paroled at Jacksonport AR. Between that time and Jul 1870 he had moved his family to Boone County AR & was farming in Jefferson township with real estate valued at $1400 & a personal estate valued at $500.
Prior to June 1880 he had moved his family to Collin Co TX & began farming there. They were charter members of the Crossroads Presbyterian Church. Joseph served as church elder between the years 1883-1896. Prior to his death he donated part of the cemetery land where he is buried. He also donated land for the church and school which have both been moved since his death.
Joseph and Una raised 7 children. They are:
1. Robert Bolden born Jul 16, 1860 Clinton, Van Buren Co AR, died Sep 6, 1954 Collin Co TX & buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Fannin Co TX. Married: Mary Frances LeFevre Nov 9, 1881. She is the daughter of Robert C. LeFevre & Elizabeth Ann Walker & was born Mar 9, 1866 Davis Co TX, died Dec 3, 1946 Collin Co TX.
Children: Stella Elizabeth, Robert Pitts, Emma, Horace, Luther, William LeFevre & Ethel B.
2. Joseph L. born 1862 AR. Joseph wanted to play professional baseball & there was a disagreement about this in the family & one day he left and he was never spoken of again. No one knows what happened to him.
3. David Alexander born 1866 AR, died before 1900 in Honey Grove, Fannin Co TX.
Married: Lucy Ellen Baker 1895 Fannin Co TX. She is the daughter of James D. Baker & Sarah McCleary & was born Sep 2, 1875 Honey Grove, Fannin Co TX, died Aug 22, 1962 Hunt Co TX & buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Fannin Co TX.
Children: Sarah Merta "Sallie"
4. Mary Magdalene "Maggie" born May 17, 1870 Boone Co AR, died Feb 3, 1955 Collin Co, TX & buried at Crossroads Cemetery (aka Desert Cem), Collin Co TX.
Married: (1) Jesse K. Pace 1891 TX. Jesse is the son of David Pace & Mahala Hampton & was born Mar 4, 1868 TX, died Mar 2, 1930 Dallas, Dallas Co TX & buried at Crossroads Cemetery (aka Desert Cem), Collin Co TX.
Children: Lester K., Joseph David & John Ray
Married: (2) W.A. Sirkel
Children: None
5. James Wilson "Jim" born Apr 25, 1877 Desert, Collin Co TX, died Sep 25, 1961 Whitewright, Grayson Co TX & buried at Crossroads Cemetery (aka Desert Cem), Collin Co TX.
Married: Pearl May Vernon "Pearlie" 1907 TX. She was born May 25, 1886 Weston, Collin Co TX, died Jan 25, 1975 Whitewright, Grayson Co TX & buried at Crossroads Cemetery, Collin Co TX.
Children: Vernon E. & Bill R.
6. Sarah Elizabeth "Bessie" born Jan 9, 1880 Collin Co TX, died Aug 2, 1972 Sherman, Grayson Co TX & buried at Willow Wild Cemetery, Fannin Co TX.
Married: William Allen Donaldson about 1896 TX. He is the son of J.R. Donaldson & was born May 25, 1877 Elora TN, died Dec 16, 1971 Sherman, Grayson Co TX & buried at Willow Wild Cemetery, Fannin Co TX. Children: Ray, Pierce, Eldan, Juanita & Goeta Mae.
7. Dixie Cleveland born June 28, 1884 Desert, Collin Co TX, died Apr 4, 1979 Denison, Grayson Co TX & buried at Cedarlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Grayson Co TX.
Married: Melissa Katherine Carmichael "Katie" Oct 12, 1902 Collin Co TX. She was born Apr 12, 1886 Desert, Collin Co TX, died Jul 3, 1973 Denison, Grayson Co TX & buried at Cedarlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Grayson Co TX. Children: Ancil Herbert, Oscar Austin, Minnie, Joseph Pitts "J.P." & Elizabeth.

Joseph Pitts Gordon died July 3, 1896 in Collin County TX and was buried at Crossroads Cemetery, aka Desert Cemetery.