The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 346
A portrait of Thomas L. Gamble appears in this publication.

THOMAS L. GAMBLE.

The life record of Thomas L. Gamble, now deceased, is inseparably interwoven
with the history of Cle Elum. He was the original owner of the land upon which
the town stands and he contributed much to the development of the municipality,
while in public office he loyally, capably and faithfully managed public
interests. He also figured prominently in the business life of the community and
for a time was associated with its banking interests. With notable prescience he
discerned something of what the future held in store for this great and growing
section of the country and, acting in accordance with the dictates of his faith
and judgment, he lived to see the wonderful development of the region and to
enjoy the fruits of his keen sagacity and business enterprise.

Mr. Gamble was born in Washington county Pennsylvania, March 27, 1827, a son of
William and Mary (Sherrard) Gamble. The father was born in Dublin, Ireland, in
1774 and came to the United States in 170-1, when a young man of twenty-one
years, settling in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he passed away July 13,
1865. In 1813 he was sent by Colonel Craig of the United States army, stationed
at Pittsburgh, with ten thousand dollars to pay soldiers in the west who were
about to mutiny because they had not been paid. He made the journey alone, being
guided by friendly Indians. His wife was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1797 and departed this life on the 21st of February, 1870. Mr.
and Mrs. Gamble were farming people of Washington county, Pennsylvania, for many
years and were numbered among the highly respected residents of that locality.

Thomas I. Gamble attended the subscription school near his father's home during
the three months of winter but in the summer seasons worked upon the home farm
and at the death of his parents took charge of the farm, which he continued to
successfully cultivate until 1878. He then disposed of his interests in
Pennsylvania and came to the west, where he arrived with but little money,
possessing, however, industry, enterprise and determination. He took up his
abode at Cle Elum, Washington, on the 13th of April, 1883, and was the first
settler in the township. He secured government land, entering a homestead claim.
Roslyn had not been started at that time. Through correspondence Mr. Gamble
induced Walter Reed, a former Pennsylvania acquaintance, to come to the
northwest and take up another homestead. On the 27th of May, 1888, Mr. Reed
filed the plat of the town site of Cle Elum and a few weeks later Mr. Gamble
filed his plat of Hazelwood. The latter laid out one hundred acres at first, but
later thirty acres was withdrawn from the town site for the use of the coal
company's outside works. At a subsequent date, however, Mr. Gamble made several
additions to the town, and as soon as twelve families were located in the
district, he and Mr. Reed organized a school district, of which Mr. Gamble acted
as the first clerk. In 1894 Mr. Gamble discovered coal on his farm and leased
his land for mining purposes to the Northwestern Improvement Company on a
royalty basis. Large mines have since been developed which have paid a very
substantial royalty to Mr. Gamble and his estate, placing the family in affluent
circumstances.

It was on the 11th of July, 1905, that Mr. Gamble was united in marriage to Mrs.
Margaret J. (Harbison) Lytle, who was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, a
daughter of Mathew and Jane (McCormick) Harbison, both of whom have passed away.
Mrs. Gamble, however, survives and is a highly esteemed resident of Cle Elum.
She is a member of the Presbyterian church and a lady of many excellent traits
of heart and mind.

Aside from his other business interests Mr. Gamble was vice-president of the
State Bank of Cle Elum for many years, continuing in the position to the time of
his death, which occurred November 25, 1907. He was frequently called upon to
serve in positions of public honor and trust. In 1889 he was elected county
commissioner and he served as road supervisor and continuously as school clerk
until 1897. In February, 1902, he was elected mayor of Cle Elum and during his
administration established the water works and sewerage system of the town. He
served as United States commissioner for four years and was also justice of the
peace for many years. His political endorsement was given to the republican
party and he always kept well informed on the question and issues of the day. He
was an upright citizen, loyal to every trust reposed in him, was a
straightforward business man and one whose many sterling traits of character
gained for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he was associated.
As one of the earliest of the pioneers of the west he contributed in marked
measure to the development of the district in which he lived and he left the
impress of his individuality in unmistakable manner upon the work of advancement
and improvement.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.