'Nellie' Gordon: Savannah's Spark from Chicago

Eleanor Kinzie Gordon

Many times as you look at the stuff that makes a legend you find the apple did not fall far from the tree. This is the case with Juliette Gordon Low the founder of the Girl Scouts. To understand the woman Ms. Low was, one only has to look as far as her mother.

Eleanor Lytle "Nellie" Kinzie was born on June 18, 1835 in Chicago, Illinois. The Kinzies were one of the first families to reside on the area's frontiers. She would come to Savannah to live in December of 1857 when she married William Washington Gordon Jr. a native of Savannah. Gordon Jr. was the son of former mayor, West Point graduate, and founder of Savannah’s Railroad and Canal Company. There is a large monument to Gordon Sr. in Wright Square placed there by grateful railroad men.

While in Savannah she authored several books including "The Chicago Massacre", a book about the birthplace experiences of her father, a government agent who worked on the western frontier. She and William had six children; their most famous was Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the United Stated Girl Scouts in 1912.But her writing, painting, and piano skills, can be seen as an inspiration to Juliette Gordon low who explored her artistic side with blacksmithing, sculpting, and painting.

Nelly was known in Savannah for her charm, wit, and sharp tongue. She used all of these in her many efforts in Savannah and elsewhere. She showed her organizational genius during the Spanish-American War. When she saw the poor medical care her Brigadier General Husband’s troops received she stood in the gap and started a hospital.  Because of this she was acclaimed across the country as "the Angel of the Boys in Blue". Her efforts were heralded by the press across the country. All of this can be found in the journals she kept found today at the Georgia Historical Society. She would follow her husband and his brigade to Mobile, Alabama, then to Camp Miami, Florida, and finally to Puerto Rico. All the while working to afford the troops the best medical care possible.

These organizational skills could also be found in her daughter Juliette. In the summer of 1858. Nellie had earned her medical organizational skills while expecting her first child. Savannah faced a yellow fever epidemic. Nellie refused to leave as most of the elite did. Instead she remained behind with Willie, who for business reasons, was obliged to remain there. During this epidemic she gained valuable experience that would help her as she addressed the needs of Gordon Jr.s’ brigade.

 Nellie's son, Arthur, described his mother’s actions were "Like a flash." He added: "With her, action followed thought at once, and inevitably. Obstacles and difficulties merely stimulated her." She was always busy with bettering the worlds she found herself in. She was no wallflower. She would remain in Savannah during the civil War and help the blockaded suffering city. Some would even say her connections to several of the Union Officers from her Chicago connections would help deter Sherman from burning Savannah.

Her most consequential act was probably helping to preserve a little of Savannah’s soul. As previously mentioned Gordon SR. had a monument place in his honor in Wright Square. The problem with that was the grave of Tomochichi (a Native American) who some have called the co-founder of Savannah was in the center of the square. The monument to Gordon Sr. was placed on top of Tomochichi’s grave. Gordon Jr. and others in Savannah were in dismay over this sacrilegious act. Nellie who was the President of the Colonial Dames of Savannah at the time took action and organized a monument for Tomochichi. In keeping with the simple lifestyle of the Native Americans placed in the corner of the square is a huge granite boulder from Stone Mountain in honor of Tomochichi. This monument which could never make up for the dishonor done to Tomochichi’s grave at least salvaged some honor for the city of Savannah.

Nellie was also the host in November 1909 to the U.S. President William Howard Taft. During his political tour of the South he stayed with Nellie and Willie. As one sees the prolific tenacious organizer, artistic soul, active social conscience, and leader in the community of Nellie; we can hardly be surprised at the woman Juliette Gordon Low would become.
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Nellie died on February 22, 1917 at the age of 81. She is buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery in the Gordon family lot. Juliette Gordon Low is also buried there.
 

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Tomochichi Monument

Plaque on Tomochichi Monument