Wilson McKnight Gamble (1844-1908)
Marian and Agnes Wilder were the daughters of
Flora Gamble Wilder, the daughter of
Wilson McKnight Gamble, the son of
William Clifford Gamble, the son of
William Gamble, the son of
Robert Gamble of County Cavan, Ireland
Wilson McKnight Gamble was the father of Flora Agnes Gamble and her siblings. He was born in Bowerston, Ohio, probably on his father or grandfather's farm. An interesting fact about Wilson Gamble is that his complete name is a combination of his grandparents' last names. His maternal grandmother's name was Wilson, His paternal grandmother's name was McKnight, and both his grandfathers' names were Gamble, as they were brothers (Wilson's mother and father were first cousins). It is also interesting that there seem to be earlier Wilson Gambles who are related to this family, in Ireland. Wilson spent his childhood and youth working on his father's farm, which may have been known as the Tunnel Hill farm, perhaps a little to the west of Bowerston, Ohio, until the time he enlisted in the Union Army in March of 1862. He served in the Union Army of the Cumberland until his mustering out in March of 1865 in North Carolina. Wilson Gamble married Sarah Jane Hatheway of nearby New Hagerstown, Ohio, and following a series of moves, from Orange Township, Ohio, to Brush and Greeley in Colorado, and finally settled in Tulare, California in 1894. Family tradition says that Wilson wanted to move again, but that Sarah refused to go with him further, so he finally settled down. Their farm, according to Neil DeJonge, was on or near Packwood Creek outside of Tulare, California. Wilson Gamble died in 1908 and is buried in Tulare cemetery next to his wife Sarah.
Below are links concerning the life of Wilson M. Gamble.
This is a link to a photo of the Wilson Gamble family, probably from about 1894 or '95. The Gambles came to Tulare, California by train from Colorado in 1894, according to Alice Gamble Mulcahy. Aunt Alice looks to be about six, which would make Nana about fifteen or so.
Gamble Family Portrait, about 1894 or '95
The photo below is a photograph of Wilson Gamble, probably taken sometime not long after the Civil War. He married Sarah Jane Hathaway of nearby New Hagerstown, Ohio.
The discharge of Wilson M. Gamble from the Union Army, given in March of 1865 in North Carolina.
Army Discharge of Wilson M. Gamble
This is a link to the regimental and national colors of the 69th Ohio Volunteer Infantry of the Civil War, which Wilson Gamble served in for three years. Also shown are the colors of the 43rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the regiment that Wilson's brother William and brother in law James Hathaway served in. William died of his wounds while serving in the 43rd in April of 1865.
For much of his time serving in the Union Army, Wilson M. Gamble was detached from the 69th Ohio Volunteer Infantry to serve with the Pioneer Brigade, a special unit of troops whose job was to provide construction needs for the regular army. Regimental colonels were ordered to detail their best two men from each company of their regiments to serve in this brigade (often referred to as the Pioneer Battalion as well). Wilson Gamble served in this unit as a surveyor, engineer, mechanic and commissary worker at various times over nearly two years of service. He was present with the brigade when it met in close combat with Confederate army units at the Battle of Stones River (the Battle of Murfreesboro) in late December and early January of 1862-'63. Here is a link explaining the history of the Pioneers.
Information about the Pioneer Brigade of the Army of the Cumberland
The Pioneer Brigade from a Book on the Army of the Cumberland, printed in 1864
The image below is of Francis Elvira Gamble Palmer, the younger half sister of Wilson M. Gamble. Her mother, Nancy Weyandt Gamble, was Wilson's second stepmother. Francis Gamble would have been Marian and Agnes Wilder's great aunt (half great aunt).