JAMES H. GAMBER, of Winslow, has been a resident of Stephenson County since the spring of 1845, covering now a period of over forty years. He looked upon the face of the country in this section while it was yet practically unsettled, and contributed his full quota toward the development of its resources and the building up of Winslow Township. He has prospered in his labors, and in his later days, in the ease and retirement from active labor, is enjoying the fruits of his early industry.

Our subject was born in New York, April 22, 1825. His father, Daniel Gamber, was also a native of the Empire State, where he followed farming until 1830, and then removed with his family to Ohio. The journey was made in the winter with a sleigh which conveyed the family and household goods over a tract of country frequently unmarked by travel, the courageous pioneers being obliged to determine their bearings by blazed trees and by watching closely the shadows cast by the sun and moon. They located on a tract of timber land in Ashtabula County, and made it their first business to put up a log cabin for the shelter of the family. This accomplished, Daniel Gamber proceeded to clear the land around his cabin, and in due time had opened up a good-sized farm. He remained in Ohio until the fall of 1845 and then, longing for more primitive soil to conquer, pulled up stakes and once more started westward. He proceeded overland by teams, and after reaching the boundaries of Illinois unloaded his family and household goods at a point near Winslow in this county, where they arrived after a journey of thirty-three days. The father was in poor health and able to labor but little after coming here. His death took place in July, 1864. He is remembered as a gentleman conscientious and upright in character, and was highly respected by his neighbors and acquaintances.

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Sarah Hunt, also a native of New York. She accompanied her husband in his removals to Ohio and Illinois and survived him six years, her death taking place in Winslow Township in April, 1870. The parental household included James H., of our sketch; William, now a resident of California; Warren, who died in Ohio, and Ozro D., a resident of West Point Township.

James H. Gamber was five years old when his parents emigrated from New York to Ohio. He developed into manhood on the farm in the Buckeye State, and was twenty years of age when his parents came to this county. In consequences of the feeble health of his father the care of the family principally devolved upon James H. He rented a tract of land, provided a shelter for the family, and in 1850 purchased forty acres at $5 per acre in Winslow Township. This he sold three years later at a reasonable profit and purchased ninety acres on another section, which he cultivated successfully and occupied until 1881. He then practically abandoned active labor, and removing to the village of Winslow erected the substantial brick residence on Hubbard street which he now occupies with his family. He owns 240 acres in Wright County, Iowa, which is tilled by his son-in-law, and is supplied with a good set of buildings.

The marriage of James H. Gamber and Miss Mary Cox was celebrated at the home of the bride in Winslow Township, Nov. 22, 1849. Mrs. G. is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., and was born in October, 1834. Her parents, James and Betsy (Willard) Cox, were also natives of that State, whence they emigrated to Wisconsin in 1843, via the Lakes to Kenosha, and thence overland to Walworth County, of which they were among the earliest pioneers. They came to this county in the spring of 1851 and located near Eleroy, where the mother died in 1865. The father is still living, making his home with his son at Le Sueur, Minn., having arrived at the advanced age of nearly eighty-one years. The parental family consisted of three children: Frank E, is a resident of Lincoln, Neb.; Ella A. became the wife of Henry A. White, a farmer of Wright County, Iowa; Ida F. married Crolin K. Richart, a farmer of West Point Township.

Mr. Gamber is serving his third term as Justice of the Peace, and has represented Winslow Township in the County Board of Supervisors. He served as School Director nine years, and has also officiated as Assessor and Collector. Politically he is a decided Republican, and for years has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiated as Class-Leader twenty-five years at Christian Hollow, and occupies the same position in the church at Winslow. He was Superintendent of the Sunday-school for a number of years, and is now Treasurer of the same.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 434-437