Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: GAMBREL, Ora L. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 327-328



ORA L. GAMBREL.

	Ora L. Gambrel, superintendent of agents for the American Life 
Insurance Company at Denver, was born in McLean, Illinois, March 31, 
1871. His father, William Gambrel, was also a native of that state and 
a representative of one of its old pioneer families of French Huguenot 
lineage. The founder of the American branch of the family came to the 
new world in 1680 and made settlement in the Carolinas, while later 
representatives of the name became pioneers of Kentucky, of Gibson 
county, Indiana, and of Illinois, successively. The great-grandfather 
was William Gambrel, a veteran of the War of 1812, and the grandfather 
and the father also bore the name of William Gambrel. The last named 
was born, reared and educated in central Illinois, where he resided to 
the time of his death, which occurred in 1904, when he had reached the 
age of fifty-four years. He was a stanch democrat in politics and for 
eighteen years was prominent in public office. For sixteen years he 
filled the position of deputy sheriff in his county. He belonged to the 
Masonic fraternity and his religious faith was that of the Baptist 
church. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna E. McCulley and is still 
living, her home being now in Denver. She is a native of Indiana and a 
representative of one of the pioneer families of Pennsylvania of Scotch 
lineage, the American ancestry of the McCulleys being traced back to 
her great-grandfather, who came to America during the early part of the 
eighteenth century and aided in winning independence for the colonies, 
taking active part in the Revolutionary war. To Mr. and Mrs. Gambrel 
were born three sons: Ora L.; A. D., who is yet a resident of Lincoln, 
Illinois; and James H., who makes his home in Waynesville, Illinois.

	Ora L. Gambrel was educated in the public schools of central 
Illinois and his early life to the age of eighteen years was spent upon 
the home farm, after which he took up the profession of teaching, which 
he followed in his native state for a period of two years. He then went 
upon the road as a commercial traveler and followed that pursuit for 
thirteen years. He next entered the life insurance business in 1900, 
becoming an employe of the John Hancock Company as an insurance 
solicitor. He continued with that company for seven years and traveled 
throughout the west. He was later employed in commercial lines until 
1913, when he became connected with the American Life Insurance Company 
and capability in this connection led to his promotion to the position 
of superintendent of agents in 1915. Since that time he has so served 
and has made an excellent record by the careful direction of the 
business under his control. He has thoroughly systematized the work. so 
that there is a minimum expenditure of time, effort and material for 
the results achieved-which is the basis of all success in business.

	In Mount Pulaski, Illinois, on the 18th of March, 1896, Mr. 
Gambrel was united in marriage to Miss Flora Rupp, a native of Illinois 
and a daughter of Christian and Ida (Schweigckhardt) Rupp. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gambrel have become the parents of three children: Harry M.. born in 
Kentucky; Mildred Harriett, born in Lincoln, Illinois; and Paul 
Everett, also a native of Lincoln. The family residence is at No. 630 
Race street and Mr. Gambrel owns the property which they occupy. The 
son, Harry M. Gambrel, took an active part in the reorganization of the 
National Guard of Colorado and was made a sergeant. Thirty-two days 
later he was advanced to the position of first lieutenant and was then 
mustered out on account of being yet a minor. On the 7th of August, 
1917, however, he re-inlisted. attaining his majority December 30, 
1917. He passed the examination and was the youngest commissioned 
officer at that time in the United States army, and is now serving as 
second lieutenant of Company E in the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh 
Colorado Volunteer Infantry. He was a student in the Denver University 
at the time of his enlistment. He stands six feet and two inches and 
weighs one hundred and eighty pounds. He is of very athletic build and 
is a splendid specimen of our stalwart American soldiery-the men who 
have flocked to the colors to make the world safe for democracy.

	Mr. Gambrel is a Mason and has attained the thirty-second degree 
of the Scottish Rite and belongs to all other Masonic bodies. He also 
belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He and his wife 
hold membership in the Corona Presbyterian church and he is also a 
member of the Young Men's Christian Association as well as the Denver 
Civic and Commercial Association.