James Gamble
James Gamble, junior member of the noted firm of Procter & Gamble, was a native of Ireland, born at the Graan, near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, in April, 1803. He was a son of George Gamble, a farmer who was obliged to sell his land on account of reverses in all lines of business following the Napoleonic wars and in 1819 came with his family to America with the hope of retrieving his fortune. The trip down the Ohio river was made by flatboat. The objective point of Mr. Gamble was Shawneetown, Illinois, but his son James was seized with illness on board the boat and was taken ashore at Cincinnati. the father decided that Cincinnati would be better for his purpose than Shawneetown and accordingly settling in this city. He started a nursery of Fifth street, near Central avenue, but on account of the encroachments of population later moved to Vine and Fifteenth streets and finally to York street and Central avenue, where he continued in the same line of business.
After recovering his health James Gamble apprenticed himself to a Mr. Bell, who was running a little soap factory located where St. Xaxier's College now stands. The apprentice remained for several years at this place until he had thoroughly mastered the business and in 1828 began the manufacture of soap for himself on Walnut, near the site of the present customhouse, also adding candles for which there was a constant demand. His business increased so that he found it necessary to move to Water street and Central avenue. After his marriage, William Procter having selected a wife from the same family as Mr. Gamble, the father-in-law suggested that the family become further united by a partnership between Mr. Procter and Mr. Gamble. This partnership was effected in 1837. they purchased property on Central avenue, opposite York street, and there continued for fifty years, when the shops at Ivorydale were ready for operation.
In 1833, at Cincinnati, Mr. Gamble was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann Norris, who was born in Ireland, February 15, 1811. They became the parents of nine children, four of whom are now living, James N., William A., David Berry and Edwin P. It was always the aim of Mr. Gamble to make the products of the firm indispensable to the public. That was one of the keys to his success. he was a man of great determination and, though he never received an extensive school education, eh acquired a large fund of general information. He knew everything pertaining to the business in which he was engaged and knew it well. He was never identified with politics other then as a voter and was not given to social or secret organizations. Religiously he was a consistent member of the Methodist church. EH died April 29, 1891, a few days after having entered upon his eighty-ninth year.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Volume 4 by Rev. Charles Fredric Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912