Born in Belmont County, Ohio, August 1, 1816. His parents, William and Margaret (Nixon) Gamble, were of Irish birth, and emigrated from their native country to America in their youth. At the early age of thirteen years our subject was obliged to earn his own livelihood, and worked as a farm hand until the age of eighteen. As he had received no educational advantages, he then attended the public schools during the winter, working upon a farm in the summer months, and made such good use of his opportunities that at the age of twenty-four he was employed as teacher. Later he attended school in Union County, Ind., and in 1845 was elected sheriff of that county serving until 1847. At the expiration of his term of office, he came to Louisa County, Iowa, and engaged in farming in Union Township. In the fall of 1849, he was elected to the Third General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature, and served on several important committees. Mr. Gamble and Miss Ellen Colton were united in marriage in Union township on January 17, 1564. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. Socially, he was a Mason, belonging to Columbus City Lodge No. 107. A. F. & A. M., and in politics affiliates with the Republicans, being a man of much influence in the local political circles.