William R. Gamble facts for kids

William R. Gamble (born around 1850 – died April 16, 1910) was an important leader and barber. He lived in Lincoln, Nebraska and Omaha, Nebraska. He worked hard to make sure everyone had equal rights.

William R. Gamble's Life

William R. Gamble was born into slavery in Mobile, Alabama, around 1850. He later became a free man. He married Eveline in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1873. Eveline had a mix of French-Canadian and Native American family history.

Family Life

William and Eveline moved to Omaha, Nebraska, around 1880. They had eight children together. Their oldest daughter, Lucinda, made history. She became the first Black school teacher in Omaha. Lucinda later married Father John Albert Williams. She was a very active community leader in North Omaha. William's other children were William, Richard Joseph, Edward, Leonard, Fred, Mary, and George. William R. Gamble passed away on April 16, 1910.

Fighting for Equal Rights

William R. Gamble was a strong voice for civil rights. He believed everyone should be treated fairly. He worked with other leaders to make things better for African Americans.

Early Meetings

In January 1876, William R. Gamble helped organize a big meeting. It was called the State Convention of Colored Men. Other organizers included Edwin R. Overall and Rev W. H. Wilson. They met to talk about important issues. They also chose people to go to a national meeting in Nashville later that year.

National Conventions

William R. Gamble was chosen as a delegate for the National Convention of Colored Men. This important meeting took place in Nashville on April 5. He also attended another National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1883. In 1890, Gamble was a delegate for the first state meeting of the National Afro-American League. This group was led by T. Thomas Fortune and locally by Edwin R. Overall. These meetings were important steps in the fight for equal rights.

A Barber and Community Leader

Besides his work for civil rights, William R. Gamble was also a barber. He cared about the quality of his work and his profession.

Improving Barber Shops

In 1898, Gamble was appointed to a city board. This board worked to check barber shops and make sure they were good quality. He served with two other barbers, Grant Williams and L. M. Pickett. Later that year, Gamble joined a group called the "Barbers' Protective Association." This was like a union for barbers. They wanted to make sure all barbers had to pass exams. They also worked for other protections for barbers across the state.