Quick Facts
Biography
James Gamble (April 3, 1803 – April 29, 1891) was an Irish soap maker and industrialist. He was the co-founder and co-eponym of Procter & Gamble Company in 1837, along with William Procter.
Early life
Gamble was born near Enniskillen in present-day Northern Ireland and went to Portora Royal School.
Gamble went into business with Wiliam Procter after they became related by marriage. Gamble's wife Elizabeth Ann Norris was the sister of Procter's wife Olivia Norris. The pair's father-in-law, Alexander Norris, first suggested that the two go into business together in 1837 and consequently Procter & Gamble was born.
Gamble died on April 29, 1891 from natural causes. He is interred in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.
Procter, who preceded his partner Gamble in death, is also buried at Spring Grove Cemetery.
Family life
Gamble and Elizabeth Ann (Norris) Gamble had ten children, including James Norris Gamble (August 9, 1836 - July 2, 1932) who became Vice President of Procter & Gamble and was the chemist who devised the formula for Ivory soap. James Norris Gamble married Margaret Penrose; he died in his sleep on July 2, 1932 in Cincinnati and is interred in Spring Grove Cemetery.
Gamble's grandson William married Franzeska Wilhelmina (Fanny) Nast, the daughter of the Rev. William Nast, a German-American Methodist preacher. Fanny was the first woman to graduate from German Wallace College in Berea, Ohio.