Born was born at Darbey's Run, Piqua county Ohio on the 8th day of November, 1836. He was the oldest son of John Gamble and Rachel O'Neal. He was married May 10, 1864, to Cynthia Jane Wright. He travelled with his parents over land in a covered wagon from Bloomington, Illinois, settling on a farm near Knoxville. He attended college, taught school, and was admitted to the bar in September 1860 and engaged in the practice of his profession until July 1861 when he enlisted as a private in Company D., Fourth Iowa Infantry. He participated in a number of battles in the Civil War. Due to illness Mr. Gamble resigned from the infantry and headed homeward. Once home he recovered rapidly from his illness. He served as deputy United States Marshal in Poweshiek County and later resumed his practice of law. He served as county attorney, later going on the bench as judge. He represented Marion County in the Eleventh Iowa General Assembly, 1866. He was grand master of Iowa masons from 1889 to 1891. He was a member of the Methodist Church.