Mr. Gable worked at the carpenter's trade for a number of years and in 1879 in company with J. C. Fay purchased the lumberyard in Lost Nation of F. E. Moses. This was conducted under partnership arrangements for two years, and eight months, after which Mr. Gable purchased Mr. Fay's interest and in the fall of 1883 sold out to the firm of Louisfield & Cressey. At that time he purchased a fourth interest in two lumberyards at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in company with J. C. Fay, William Fay and F. M. Thompson, the new firm being organized tinder the firm style of Fay Brothers & Company, with yards at No. 400 South First Street. In 1906 Mr. Gable also purchased the present business at Oxford Junction where, in connection with his son 0. A. Gable, he is owner of a lumber and coal yard, also dealing in all kinds of building materials. This business is now managed by the son and is conducted under the firm name of John E. Gable & Company.

In 1875 when twenty-two years of age John E. Gable was married to Miss Heala E. Leinbaugh, of Elwood, Iowa, and they had four children: Frank R., of Jerome, Iowa, who is engaged in the wholesale coal trade; Ed B., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who is head salesman for Fay Brothers & Company; Otis A., of Oxford Junction, and Onalee E., who was born August 24, 1885, and was married June 10, 1908, to L. A. Fuhrmister, while her death occurred May 14, 1909. The parents reside at No. 317 South Eighth street in Cedar Rapids, the father devoting his time and energies to the conduct of his lumber and other interests in that city. He is a man of unfaltering enterprise, managing his interests with ability, his labors being of a character that contribute to general progress and prosperity as well as to individual success.

Otis N. Gable, managing the interests of the firm at Oxford Junction, was born at Lost Nation. Clinton county, Iowa, June 16, 1879, and was a little lad of four, summers when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Cedar Rapids. There he resided until he came to Oxford Junction to take charge of the business and his education was acquired in the public schools of the former city and in the Cedar Rapids business College. His practical business training was received under the direction of his father in connection with the lumber trade so that broad and thorough experience qualified him for active management when he came to Oxford Junction to assume control of the business here, when he and his father became factors in the commercial circles of the town for the sale of lumber, coal and building materials. As manager, the son has built up a good trade and the patronage is steadily increasing.

On the 16th of June, 1904, Mr. Gable was married to Miss Sadie Hammill, of Cedar Rapids, a daughter of J. H. Hammill, of that place. They have two children, Pauline E. and Ruth 0. Their home is a hospitable one, ever open for the reception of their many friends. Mr. Gable takes active part in the affairs of the community, especially in the promotion of interests for the betterment of the town and is a member of the board of education. He also belongs to the Commercial Club; to Zealous Lodge, NO. 435, A.F.&A.M., of Oxford Junction; and to Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 141, I. 0. 0. F. He is a young man of enterprising spirit to whom opportunity is a stimulus for renewed and active effort, and in the legitimate lines of trade he is meeting with gratifying success.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 115.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 623.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 698.

For a long period Charles E. Wales has now been a resident of Dubuque, Iowa, and has been widely known as a popular hotel man. He was the first proprietor of the Julien at Dubuque and for a number of years has now conducted the Wales, a leading hostelry of that city. For many years David E. Gardner engaged in merchandising at Monticello as a member of the firm of Gardner & Eaton. In after years the firm engaged in the grocery trade exclusively and the partnership continued for many years with mutual pleasure and profit, the firm being long recognized as one of the most enterprising and reliable in the city. The death of David E. Gardner occurred in 1894 when he was sixty-seven years of age and the mother died July 1909, in Monticello. Their family numbered six children, of whom Louis is the youngest. The others are: Kittie, the wife of Edward C. Squires, a resident of Chicago, by whom she has three children: Dette, Jack and Kittie; D. E., who wedded Minnie E. Black and resides in Chicago; Mary A., the wife of T. H. Barney, of Kansas City, Missouri; and two children who died in infancy.

On the 24th of June 1900, Mr. Gardner was united in marriage to Miss Blanche M. Thoehi, a daughter of Martin and Anna Thoehi. The father was a native of Italy and of Swiss descent. The mother was born in Iowa and her parents were of Scotch and Irish lineage. The death of Mrs. Gardner occurred in 1906 when she was but twenty-eight years of age and many friends mourned her loss for her good qualities endeared her to all with whom she was brought in contact.

In social relations Mr. Gardner has won favorable and friendly regard and enjoys in large measure the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he never wavers in his support thereof. He is not the only member of his family who has served in public office in Jones county for his father, as early as 1878, was a member of the county board of supervisors.

Louis Gardner was early thrown upon his own resources, starting to work when but twelve years of age. Thereafter he had to assist in the support of his mother as well as provide for his own maintenance. He earned his first money in the employ of J. W. Doxsee, of Monticello, for whom he sawed a cord of wood and carried it all up stairs. For about four years he was employed at odd jobs and was with a canning company for a time while afterward he became a newsboy. He received his training in the newspaper field and the printing business when seventeen years of age and for thirteen years was employed by J. W. Doxsee in in the printing business. He was recognized as a most faithful emploeye, diligent in performing the tasks entrusted to him and at all times loyal to his employer's interests. In 1905 he engaged in the show business which he followed for three years, traveling over a large portion of the country. In the fall of 1908 he was elected auditor of Jones county, which office he is now filling to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a wide-awake, enterprising and progressive man, who has made steady progress since starting out in life for himself in early boyhood.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 577.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 668.