John C. Gordon was born in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin on January 3, 1887, the first son of Reverend G. W. Gordon. Reverend Gordon earned his living as a photographer and as a Methodist preacher. John Gordon attended Albion College in Michigan, and later took a teaching position in Nebraska. On June 8, 1910, he married Mina Eleanor Schnackenberg and following their wedding reception, the couple moved to Campbell, California. Their first residence was in a prune orchard located on Budd Avenue, and within a few years they relocated to Mayellen Avenue near West San Carlos Street. Gordon earned his early living working at the local hardware store, while raising his young family.

In 1916 Gordon opened a commercial photography studio located at 97 South First Street in downtown San José, just above what was then known as Lean's Jewelry Store. He later moved to 395 South Street where he remained until his retirement in 1963. As a local commercial photographer, Gordon served the business community by creating glass slides for advertisements used to promote local theaters, sporting events, civic events, and weddings. In addition, Gordon photographed accidents and criminal trials for the San José Mercury News.

An active community member and businessman, Gordon belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, the San José Water Board, and was Master of the Campbell Grange. He also held membership in the Knights of the Round Table, served on the school board, the YMCA, and the First Methodist Church. Gordon was a noted singer, song leader, and musician, and loaned many of his musical instruments (piano, guitar, marimba, saxophone, and trombone) for use in Santa Clara Valley's annual Fiesta de las Rosas Parade, as well as the school band.

John C. Gordon died at the age of 80 in 1967, and was buried in Los Gatos Cemetery next to his wife, who died in 1950. His children, Ronald H. Gordon, Doris Herschbach, and Wilbur C. Gordon sold their father's photographic collection to San José State University in 1996.