William Marion Gamblin, a veteran of the Civil War, having fought on the Confederate side, died at the home of his son, W. B. Gamblin, in Esther, Saturday, December 3, 1921, at the age of 87 years, 3 months, and 12 days. He was born in Stoddard County, in this state, August 21, 1834.
He was married to Mary Shaw in 1863. To this union, seven children were born, four sons and three daughters. The wife, one son and two daughters, preceded him in death. Mrs. Gamblin had been dead for 44 years, having died in 1877. Mr. Gamblin had never remarried. An incident that throws an interesting side light on the character and constancy of the old man who has just died, is the fact that he had lovingly preserved a quilt that his wife made just before her death, and requested that it be used to wrap his body for his burial. This request was carried out. He always carried in his pockets certain articles that had been his wife's.
The funeral services was conducted at the Esther Baptist Church Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock, by Rev. F. M. Baker, pastor of the Flat River Baptist Church, after which interment was made in the Odd Fellow cemetery at Doe Run. The surviving members of the family are one daughter, Mrs. Maggie Baldwin, of Mine La Motte, and three sons, W. B. of Esther, Thos. of St. Louis, and J. H. of Riverside, Cal.