Transcribed by Anna Reynolds

James W. Gore, Police Magistrate at Vienna, is a fine respresentative of the native born sons of Johnson County, and belongs to one of its oldest and most widely known families. His birth occured at Goreville, February 1, 1851. The village was named in honor of his father, John Gore, who at the time of his death, in 1865, was one of the leading merchants of the county, and was prominent in the upbuilding of his namesake. He was also a native of the county, born near Vienna in 1827. His father, Walton Gore, is thought to have been born in Kentucky, and he was a son of one John Gore, who was one of the earliest settlers of this part of Illinois, locating near Vienna, where he engaged in farming and spent his last years. The grandfather of our subject was quite young when his parents came to this State. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and when he attained manhood he bought a tract of land in what is now Goreville Township, where he resided until his death. The maiden name of his was Finney.
The father of our subject was brought up on a farm, but he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits when it came time for him to settle his life. He opened a store on the present site of Goreville, and was the pioneer merchant of the flourishing village that grew up around him, and was given his name as a mark of the universal esteem in which he was held, the township also being named for him at a later period. He was a practical, wide-awake man of business, managing his affairs with discretion and foresight, and has a well-kept establishment, in which he carried a full line of general merchandise. He also delath extensively in tobacco, which was a staple product here at the time of the war. His untimely death in the midst of a useful and honorable career was a blow to the best interests of the village.

The mother of out subject bor the maiden name of Mary J. Bruff. She was born near Lick Creek, Union County, and her father was James Bruff. She was married a second time after the death of the father of our subject, becoming the wife of J.Q.A. Collins, and resides at Goreville. She reared six children by her first marriage, and has one child by her second marriage.

The subject of this biographical review was educated in the public schools of this county. After his father's deatrh he commenced to work on the farm, and was thys employed until he was twenty-two years old. He then accepted the position of Clerk in the office of the County Sheriff, and was engaged in the capacity until the fall of 1876, when he was elected Circuit Clerk. He held that office four years, and after that gave his attention to milling a year and to mercantile pursuits as clerk in a store another year, and he then entered public life again as Justice of the Peace for Vienna. He occupoed that position until the fall of 1881, at which time he was elected County Clerk. He received the honor of re-election to that office in 1886, and held it until 1890. In April 1891, he was elected Police Magistrate for a term of two years. His official career ha been sych as to inspire trust and respect in the hearts of his fellow-citizens. He brings a clear mind and will to the discharge of his duties; he shows a competent knowledge of the common law, and are given without gear or gavor. Our subject is known in social circles as a member of Vesta Lodge No. 310, I.O.O.F., and Vienna Encampment No 53. Judge Gore was married in 1876 to Miss Ellen F., a daughter to John M Rudenhower. Four children complete their pleasant home circle: Ollie, Stella, James W. and Dentie.

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