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In May 1906, The Troy Messenger ran an “illustrated edition” of the paper chronicling businesses and prominent citizens of Pike County.  This article is on John Gamble, City Clerk.

Among the many successful attorneys of this section none stands higher in the estimation of the people than the gifted gentleman whose name heads the caption of this short sketch.

His whole life has been as clean and open as a book, and no man can truthfully say that he has not discharged his whole duty as a loyal citizen to his city, State and church.

Unassuming and modest as a refined woman, yet firm in his opinions, he has gained the confidence and held the esteem of the people of this section throughout all the years in which he has served them so well.

He was born August 21, 1866, at Oak Bluff, Ala.., and was reared in Greenville, Ala., where he attended the public schools of that city, and in 1883 he entered Howard College, graduating with distinction and honor from that institution with the high degree of A. B. in 1886.

He then read law in the office of Gamble & Richardson, the senior member of which was his distinguished father, and was admitted to the bar of Greenville in the spring of 1887.

Upon attaining his majority he moved to Troy in August, 1887, where he practiced his profession, representing successfully for a number of years several large foreign mortgage companies, during which period he devoted much time to the loan business.

In 1893 he was elected Mayor of Troy, and served the city with credit and distinction for two years, and Trojans have him to thank for the efficient system of water words they now enjoy.

As City Clerk and Treasurer, to which responsible position he was chosen by the people of his adopted home, he has faithfully and efficiently filled for the past eight years, during which time there have been four different administrations he has served under.

Mr. Gamble has not only been a true and tried servant of the city and discharged every duty imposed upon him with fidelity and promptness, but he has always tried to be useful in many ways, and is at the present time secretary and treasurer of our city schools, and at different intervals he has cheerfully served as a member of the board of trustees of the city schools.

Mr. Gamble is one of the most affable and pleasant gentlemen that it has ever been our pleasure to meet, and is ever ready to help any enterprise that tends to build up his adopted home he loves so well.

He is a loyal friend, and his goodness of heart has never permitted him to turn a deaf ear to worthy charity.  He is a member of the Masonic lodge, a Knight of Pythias, an enthusiastic Elk and a member of the Baptist Church.  His friends are legion, and his popularity extends far and wide.  His reputation as a lawyer is not confined to this section alone, but like his lamented father, he is honored and esteemed by the entire bar of the State. 

In 1888 he was married to his accomplished and gifted wife, Miss Alice Henderson, daughter of the late W. D. Henderson.

All of these articles can be found in previous editions of The Troy Messenger.  Stay tuned for more.  Dianne Smith is the President of the Pike County Historical, Genealogical and Preservation Society.