Born in Wallaceburg, Canada West, the son of Aaron Gordon (Scottish heritage), and Jane Steinchoff (German heritage), Gordon educated at the public schools in Wallaceburg.

His son Arthur Saint Clair Gordon (1894–1953) later served as an Ontario cabinet minister.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for the House of Commons of Canada for the electoral district of Bothwell at the general elections of 1900.

Although D. A. Gordon had a successful regional and national political career he is known locally as the "Father of Modern Wallaceburg".

He played various leadership roles in starting the aforementioned businesses, however, his ability to raise investment funds was invaluable.