Person talk:Earl Gambrel (1)

Jame Whitcomb Riley connections [19 April 2014]

Many years ago, my father told me that his father (Earl Ross Gambrel) was raised in the Riley House. He also claimed that his grandfather was one of the boys at "The Old Swimmin' Hole"

Those who are familiar with Greenfield Indiana, know that the Riley House is now a museum. And the "Old Swimmin' Hole" is now part of a city park in Greenfield. James Whicomb Rily was born in 1849, and James Madison Gambrel was born in 1856. Given a seven year difference in age, I doubt that they were play mates. But I tend to believe that every boy in the town of Greenfield ended up down at the old swimmin' hole at one time or another. I am certain that their paths crossed more than once.

I find it difficult to believe that my family would be able to afford a house as fine as the one that is now referred to as "The Riley House".

The Riley House was built by Ruben Riley, the father of the famous poet James Whitcomb Riley. Ruben Riley was a lawyer. When the Civil War broke out, he did his patriotic duty and joined the Union Army. It was at this time that "Li'l Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay. An' wash the cups an' saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away, An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep, An' make the fire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board-an'-keep;" She was there to help Mrs. Riley and the children in the absence of Ruben. The salary of a soldier was not adequate to make the mortgage payments. After the war, the Rileys lost their house to foreclosure. It was at this time that James Whitcomb Riley left home, and set out to seek his fortune. The rest of the family moved in with Grandma Riley who lived at 210 West South Street. This is the address of James Gambrel in 1910. So, technically, Earl Ross Gambrel grew up in the Riley House. It just happened to be Grandma Riley's house.--PhilGambrel 15:38, 19 April 2014 (UTC)