CHARLES GABLE, proprietor Gable House, Meadville, was born November 3, 1830, in Woodcock Township, this county, on his father's farm, son of John G. and Sarah (Frankenfield) Gable, natives of Lehigh County, Penn., and who came to this county in 1825, locating in Woodcock Township. John G. Gable first engaged in agriculture, which he followed two years, when he removed to Meadville and began the business of teaming between Erie and Pittsburgh, an enterprise he conducted for six years and then returned to agriculture, which vocation he continued to follow until his death. To the union of John G. and Sarah Gable were born seven children, five of whom are now living, residents of this county. Charles Gable, our subject, the youngest surviving child, remained on the farm with his father until he arrived at the age of nineteen, when he was employed with his brother John, who was conducting the Crawford House in Meadville. His engagement with his brother extended over a period of two years, and on April 1, 1852, he assumed exclusive control and management of the hotel, and retained this relation until 1856, when he formed a co-partnership with C. S. Eyre, and conducted a general store on corner of Chestnut and South Main Streets, where now stands the stone Methodist Church. Business was continued at this stand five years, when it was removed to Tidioute, Penn., and in 1863 the partnership was dissolved. Our subject then embarked in the, transportation of oil from Pit Hole, Venango County, to Scott's Landing, Warren Co., Penn., by flat-boat. This was in the spring and summer of 1863. The following winter he owned teams and engaged in the transportation of oil from Oil Creek to Titusville, Penn. On March 1, 1864, our subject purchased in Meadville the property which he now occupies and conducts, known as the Gable House. After nine years of prosperity he leased out his city property and moved to the farm, formerly owned by his brother John, on the old State road, which farm of 170 acres is beautifully situated and has been much improved. In 1873 Mr. Gable retook possession of the Gable House, and since that date has continued to conduct it with success. Our subject was elected in 1882 to a seat in the City Council. He was married April 27, 1857, to Nancy A. Stainbrook, of Meadville, Penn. To this union have been born ten children, nine now living: Arthur E.; Charles E., married in 1883, to Miss Florence Archer, of Meadville, Penn. (have one son, an infant); Frank P.; Emmett E.; Carrie; Georgia, married in 1884, to A. H. Steele, of Meadville, Penn. William H.; Burton and Hattie May.

Taken in part from: History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885, pages 739-740.