[page 804] James Gamble, one of the prosperous farmers of Page County, settled on section 9, Colfax Township, in October, 1869. He was born in Scott County, Indiana, May 9, 1842, and is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Carlisle) Gamble. The father was born in Ireland and emigrated to America when a young man; he settled in Ohio, where he was married to Miss Carlisle, a native of that state. In March, 1842, they removed to Scott County, Indiana, and settled in a heavy timber section, where they cleared up a farm; for years they lived in a log cabin, and the father still resides near the same spot on which he first settled. Alexander Gamble's father lived to the advanced age of ninety eight years. The family were strong adherents to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
James Gamble is the second of a family of eight children; he was reared on a farm and early inured to hard labor; his education was obtained in the common schools of Indiana. August 9, 1862, when there was a call from Lincoln to the men of this country to come to the defense of the old flag, he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and saw much hard fighting in that struggle for the Union. He was in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, the Atlanta campaign, and was present when the gallant McPherson was killed. His gun was shot from his hand and he escaped many close calls to death. His company lost heavily in the several engagements in which they participated. He also marched to the coast through the Carolinas and was present at one of the greatest war scenes ever presented, the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia, May 22, 1865. He was discharged as Corporal, and returned to Scott County, Indiana, June 15, 1865.
Mr Gamble was united in marriage February 20, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth McCullough, a native of Scott County, Indiana, and a daughter of James Young and Rhoda Ann (Smith) McCullough, both of whom were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Mr Gamble remained in Indiana until September 21, 1869, when he came to his present place, which was then a wild waste of Prairie country without any improvements. He purchased eighty acres at first and began the task of making a home, no light one in a pioneer country. As his means increased he added to his first purchase, until he now owns 240 acres, which he has placed under good cultivation. He has five acres of grove and a good apple orchard. From his home, which was once solitary and alone, can be seen four sprightly villages and two lines of railraod. When he came to Iowa the trip was made overland with teams and wagons. He has been engaged in general farming but has realized the greatest [page 805] profits from stock feeding and growing. Mr and Mrs Gamble are the parents of eight children: Emma O., Robert Oliver, Lewis Byron, Edwin, Flora, Ella, Chester, George W. and Edith May. They have lost four by death. Politically Mr Gamble is a stanch Republican, and is perhaps the most radical one in Colfax Township. He has served as a member of the school board, and as trustee. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to Page Post, No. 65, G.A.R., and is quartermaster of the same. He is also a member of Rising Star Lodge, No 180, A.O.U.W., at Blanchard.
No man in Page County stands higher in point of integrity of character than does James Gamble. He is firm in his convictions of right and wrong, to which he gives fearless expression. |