LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Pg 37

JOSPEH GAMBELL

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, submitted June 13, 2017

        Mr. Joseph Gambell was born on March 9, 1843, in Lenham, England. Mary Neal was born July 12, 1853, and became the wife of John Gladhill. To them one daughter was born, Ruth Galey. When Galey was only a year old, Mr. Gladhill passed away. Three years later Mrs. Gladhill became the wife of Mr. Joseph T. Gambell. For a time they made their home in Jacksonville, Illinois. In 1883, they moved to a farm near Fredonia, located south of the Faye Foster home. Later owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Crawford, and is a part of that home. In 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Gambell moved to Fredonia and later purchased the Van Dyke property and made that their home until they passed away, Mr Gambell July 21, 1922 and Mrs. Gambell June 18, 1928.

        During his life time here, Mr. Gambell was one of those well known and highly respected men, loved by young and old. Those who were young here, in his later years, speak of him with love and respect we all strive for, but few of us attain.

        Mr. Gambell was manager of the Fredonia Cooperative store for 27 years, and was an ardent worker for any enterprise that was for the good of the community.

        Mrs. Gambell was no less well known and loved. She was a quiet, highly respected lady, who loved the good neighbor policy. The patterns set by those wonderful people of earlier days, still influences our lives today.

        Besides Galey, another daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Gambell; Nellie, who was born April 20, 1888.

        Galey became the wife of William Toms of Cario. To this union three children were born: Harry Toms who is a farmer near Wapello; Albert Toms of Marengo, who is cashier in a bank; and Loucille, who became the wife of Willis Howell and make their home in Flint, Michigan.

        Nellie Gambell, became the wife of Harley Meeker, November 7, 1923, and made their home in Fredonia until 1931, when they ,moved to Columbus Junction. To this union one son, Robert Harley, was born in 1926. Although Robert now makes his home in Columbus Junction, we still feel he is one of our Fredonia boys. He is another of those fine young men that reflect the background of love and respectability. Robert went into the navy in 1944, and served over seas. He was on the Air craft Ticonderoga, in the Pacific, at Tokyo Bay, when the Armistice was signed. After he was released from service, he was united in marriage to Mary Johnson of Washington, Iowa, and have two lovely children, Steven Robert and Nita Sue.

        For the past nine years Robert has been employed at the post office.