H. J. Gabel, superintendent of schools of Carroll County, is a native of Scott County, Iowa, born in Le Claire in 1859, a son of Joseph Gabel, who settled in that county in the year 1849. H. J. Gabel was educated in the schools of Le Claire, and in the fall of 1876 began teaching. In the spring of 1880 he entered the Iowa State Agricultural College, and graduated in the class of 1882, completing the full course in three years. In March, 1883, he took charge of the school of Arcadia as principal, and continued in that position until the summer of 1884, when he resigned and embarked in the mercantile business, becoming a member of the firm of Hoch & Gabel, one of the leading business firms of Arcadia. They keep a full general stock of goods, and also deal extensively in grain, owning two elevators. In the fall of 1885 Mr. Gabel was elected, on the Republican ticket, county superintendent of schools, defeating his opponent, M.J. Heires, by 499 votes. He is a thoroughly educated gentleman, and was a successful instructor, and now makes a valuable superintendent, serving his county faithfully. He married Miss H. Hainer, daughter of Ignace Hainer, a prominent Hungarian settler of New Buda Township, Decatur County, Iowa.

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