JOSEPH N. GAMBLE.

Nothing can be more gratifying to any man, however young or old, than the knowledge that his abilities and capacities are appreciated by his employers and that in recognition of them he is ever eligible to promotion when opportunity is afforded. A continuous advancement has been the career of Joseph N. Gamble since he became connected with the rolling mill of Kewanee. He was born in this city, March 2, 1863, a son of J. R. and Maria P. (Woolley) Gamble, and is a descendant of English ancestors on the paternal side. His mother is a great granddaughter of Peter Probasco, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who be­longed to an old Holland Dutch family. His paternal grandfather, George N. Gamble, was reared in England, where he married Miss Susanna G. Guthridge. He first came to America in 1831, but after spending nine months in the east returned to his old home, only to come to America after less than a year. He located then permanently in Philadelphia. which remained his home until his death.

In that city J. R. Gamble, the father of our subject. was reared and educated. starting upon his career as a boy in the ship-chandler's or naval supply store. After two years he began learning the carpenter's trade and, having gained pro­ ficiency in it, came to Henry county. Illinois, in 1855. He settled in Kewanee, but the village at that time contained only about one thousand inhabitants. In its growth and progress Mr. Gamble has taken an active part, for as contractor and carpenter he has erected many of the buildings here and in the surrounding territory, including the factory belonging to Pierce & Hatton.

While still living in Philadelphia, October 30, 1855, Mr. Gamble married Miss Maria P. Woolley, and they have become the parents of the following children: Florence M., who is the wife of Charles Payne, of Kewanee ; Kate B., who is the widow of A. 0. Warner and has one child, Louise; George H., who is the pastor of the Tab­ernacle Baptist church of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and, having married Mar­ guerite Hawthorne, is the father of four sons, George, William, Ross and Paul. Joseph N., the subject of this sketch ; Susanna. who is the wife of Rev. Ellis M. Jones, a Baptist minister of Carbondale, Illinois, and the mother of three daughters and one son Miriam, Esther, Ellis, Jr., and Ruth; Fred B., of Kewanee, who married Eleanor Cramb and is the father of three children, Frederick, Florence and Gertrude and Ross W.. who married Velma Cramb and has three children, John, Elizabeth and Margaret; and Louise M., who died in 1908. Mr. Gamble is a member of the Baptist church and a republican in his political affiliations.

Upon completing the course of study prescribed by the public schools of Kewanee Joseph N. Gamble entered upon his business career. He engaged first with Lyman, Lay & Lyman in the minor capacity of cash boy. Later as he evinced the strong qualities of devotion to duty and alertness he was advanced to a clerkship. While in that position, having given perfect satisfaction to the firm for six years, he joined H. R. Clears as a partner in a book store. Six years later he sold his interest to Mr. Clears and on the 1st of August, 1892, entered the employ of the rolling mill, and in about ten years he advanced from a subordinate position to that of a superintendent, which he holds at present. For the first five months he was a clerk and then he was promoted to the position of night foreman of the rolling and scrap mill. Two years later he was made cost clerk for all of the mill departments, from which office, after having proved his ability and efficiency during a period of four years, he was made chief cost clerk of the whole plant. In that capacity he served until 1902, when he was appointed superintendent of all of the foundry departments. This is the position he holds at the present. Trying as it sometimes is, be has proved that he has the power to control men as well as to obtain from them the best work of which they are capable.

On the loth of June, 1886, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gamble and Miss Fannie Tunnicliffe, of Kewanee. Five children have been born to them, Ruth L., Marjorie A., Donald T., Katharine and Joseph George. The oldest married Lawrence McFall, of Kewanee, a clerk in the employ of the National Tube Company, and the youngest died at the age of six. Mr. Gamble is a member of the First Baptist church, in whose support he is most liberal. He is also a trustee and deacon of the church and prominent in all its work. He belongs to the Young Men's Christian Association an organization prominent in promoting the moral and social welfare of the city and its financial prosperity.

History of Henry County

Submitted by the Webmaster

©Wini Caudell and Contributors

All Rights Reserved

Illinois Ancestors