WINIFRED S GAMBLE FARNSWORTH HUNTOON STEINBERG STEINGRANDT Winfield S. GAMBLE, a well known civil engineer residing in Elgin, was born in Evanston, Ill. July 25, 1861, and is a worthy representative of an honored and distinguished family, his parents being General Willaim and Sophia Fredreka STEINGRANDT GAMBLE. The father was born January 1, 1818, in county Farmanagh, Ireland, and was the oldest of four brothers, the others being James, David, and Osborne, who all died in Chicago, where they made their home. The paternal grandfather of our subject, who also bore the name of William, was a native of Ireland, and at an early day came with his family to the United States. In his native land General GAMBLE was educated as a civil engineer, and was in the queen's service before his emigration to the new world. In 1839, when twenty one years of age, he crossed the Atlantic, and for five years after his arrival served in the regular army as a member of the First New York Dragoons, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. On leaving the army he located in Chicago, being in the government service at old Fort Dearborn until his removal to Evanston in 1859. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the Union service, and was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel FARNSWORTH. The regiment came into existence in this way: In August 1861, Generai FARNSWORTH proceeded to Washington DC, visited President Lincoln and Secretary Cameron, and from the latter obtained an order to organize the 8th Illinois Cavalry. The service at that time was greatly in need of more cavalry, and General Farnsworth was by his extensive acquaintance, great ability and popularity well qualified for this work. He returned to St. Charles, Ill. which he made his temporary headquarters, issued a call for 1200 men, and in two weeks the regiment was ready for duty. On the 18th of Sept. 1861, it was mustered into service, and on Oct. 14th, started for Washington, arriving there 2 days later. With its 1200 stalwart men stepping through the streets of Washington, it created a great sensation. When Colonel FARNSWORTH was promoted, Mr. GAMBLE became its colonel. With the Army of the Potomac he participated in many important engagements, and at the battle of Malvern Hill was wounded in the side by a minie ball. After 2 months spent at home he was able to rejoin his command though the wound was a very serious one, breaking 2 ribs and the ball lodging in his shoulder blade. He was commissioned brigadier general Sept. 25, 1865, his command being composed of the 8th and 12th Illinois, the 12th New York, and also a part of an Indiana regiment and a part of a Pennsylvania regiment. With his command he took part in all of the important campaigns of the army of the Potomac until the surrender at Appomattox, serving with distinguished honor and bravery. He was one of the generals on duty at President Lincoln's funeral. After the 98th Ill. Cavalry was mustered out, he was on duty at Jefferson Barracks for about a year, being mustered out March 13, 1866, and July 28, 1866, he was mustered into the regular army as colonel of the 8th United States Cavalry, which was ordered to California by way of the Isthmus. While waiting for transportation on the Isthmus the cholera broke out and Colonel GAMBLE, with many of his troops, died from that dread disease Dec. 20, 1866, being buried at Virgin's Hill, Nicarauga. He was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and was a warm friend of President Lincoln. With the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Evanston he held membership and was a true Christian gentleman, as well as a loyal, patriotic and devoted citizen of his adopted country. The mother of our subject was born in Hanover, Germany, Jan. 31, 1821, a daughter of George H. STEINGRANDT, who was a member of the army of that country. In 1838 the family emigrated to America and located in Alton, Ill. where they continued to live until the death of Mrs. Steingrandt in 1867. After that her husband made a number of trips to Germany, and finally died in Hanover about 1872. In their family were five children, three of whom are still living namely: Louis, a resident of California, Henry of Springfield Missouri, and Mrs. Louise STEINBERG, of St. Louis. Mrs. GAMBLE was a Lutheran in religious faith. She died June 11, 1895 in St. Louis. To General GAMBLE and wife were born the following children: Louise died in infancy; Louise D. is now the wife of George W. HUNTOON of Evanston. George H. now a resident of California was a member of the 8th Ill Cavalry during the Civil war, and was confined for 18 months in Libby prison. After the war he was commissioned captain in the regular army, and was stationed at Fort Concho Texas, later building Fort Stockton, where he was stationed for some time. William M. now in the grocery business in Pueblo, Colorado, was also one of the boys in blue, enlisting at the age of 15 in the 134th Ill. Volunteer Infantry. Mary E. is a resident of St. Louis; Henry E. is now in Berlin, Germany. Emma is the wife of George H. STEINBERG of St. Louis. Victor H.L., city engineer of Rensselaer Indiana. Winfield S. is the youngest now living. Besides Loise, those deceased are Elizabeth, Osborne, an infant, and Josephine. Reared in Evanston, Ill. Winfield S. GAMBLE attended the common schools, and later was a student in the Northwestern University at that place. In the summer of 1879 he began life as a civil engineer in Dakota, in the employ of the Chicago and North western railroad, and was subsequently in Iowa with the same road until Dec. 1880. The following Jan. he went to Indiana where he built what was then called the Chicago and Indianapolis Air line, now the Chicago, Louisville and Indianapolis railroad, being division engineer there. On the 1st of May, 1882, he entered the service of the Chicago and Great Southern railroad, remaining with them one year, and the following year was with the Northern Pacific railroad. He was next with the Grand Trunk and in 1885 again went to Dakota in the employ of the Northwestern. For 2 years he was with the Lake Erie and Western railroad, having his headquarters in Bloomington, and was then in the government service on the drainage canal in 1887-88. In June 1889, Mr. GAMBLE came to Elgin, where for 6 years he served as city engineer, during which time he built the entire system of city railroads extending to Geneva, and also built the south annex to the Insane Asylum, which is regarded as the cheapest and best constructed building in the state, having enough money left out of the appropriations to furnish it. He ranks among the most able representatives of his profession in the state, and does an extensive and profitable business. Politically Mr. GAMBLE is identified with the Republican party, and socially he affiliates with Gen. William F. Lynch camp, S.V. He is a man of fine address, of genial nature and winning manners and is popular with all who know him. Kane County Biographical Record Clarke Publishing Co. Chicago, 1898 Page 92 Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above parties. Use your "BACK" button on your browser to return to Kane County ILGenWeb pages.