Biography of Joseph H. Gamel, Randolph Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Bridgette Cohen Date: 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas Copyrighted and Published 1889 by Goodspeed Publishing Company Joseph H. Gamel has attained considerable prominence in the material affairs of Randolph County, for he is a man of excellent parts, and has shown good judgment and tact in the management of his mercantile business, and nets a fair annual income from his sales, his stock of goods being valued at $2,500. He was born in Walker County, Ga., March 26, 1852, and is one of four living members of a family of six children, of whom he was the second, born to Anthony C. and Caroline (Gellon) Gamel, who were born in Tennessee and Georgia, respectively. In 1856 the family came to Arkansas, and the father has since been a resident of Randolph County. His wife died in 1862, when about forty years of age. He served for three years in the Confederate army during the war, all this time being west of the Mississippi River, and was a faithful soldier to the Southern cause. At the age of twenty one years Joseph H. Gamel went to Cedarville and was engaged in mercantile business as salesman for eight years. Since 1881 he has been engaged in business at his present stand, and is also connected with a mercantile establishment at Maynard, the firm name being Gamel & Mock. Mr. Gamel is a successful financier, and by his honesty and fair dealing with his customers he commands a large and paying patronage. In connection with this he also owns a fertile farm, which he conducts, and for the success which has attended his efforts he deserves the respect and admiration of all, for he commenced life for himself without means, and is now doing exceptionally well. Miss Jane Mock, a daughter of Isham Mock, of Randolph County. became his wife February 3, 1876. She was born in the county on the 15th of May, 1854, and is now the mother of four children living: Hattie M., Nellie G., Joseph O. and Thomas T. William P. and Fred. died in infancy. Mr. Gamel is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. An elder brother of Mr. Gamel, W. A., served in the Confederate army during the war.