William or Bill, as he was called, was the second child and first son of Miriam (Craig) Kimberling and Joseph Nathaniel Kimberling. He was born on December 16, 1841, at Union District, in Mason County, in what is now the state of West Virginia. He died on November 11, 1920. On February 14, 1867 he married Catherine Williams in Putnam County, West Virginia, by the Reverend Samuel Hartly of the Disciples Church. Catherine, was the daughter of Martha Prudence (Richardson) Williams and John Williams. She was born on September 8, 1848, in Mason County, West Virginia. She died July 31, 1899. (Her mother was Welsh and her father was English). William Harrieson entered the Union Army during the war between the States. He enlisted with the, Fourth West Virginia Infantry. On July 27, 1861 he fought in the Battle of Vicksburg and Lookout Mountain. He particapated in many hardships and battles of the regiment until the expiration of his term of service. In September 3, 1864 he received his discharge at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was a guard of Confederate prisoners at the close of the Civil War. He was severely attacked with measles during his service, and owing to the lack of care, he suffered weakness of vision. William and Catherine built a big house during this time. A big ten room house, one of the biggest and best in Putnam County. It was in this house that the first Rural Free Delivery (R.F.D.) Post office in the United States was established. It was named "NAT" after his father, Nathaniel Kimberling. After Catherine passed away, July 21, 1899, William married for the second time, very late in life, to Kate French. He lived about six months after the second marriage. Mr. Kimberling was a farmer and stock raiser in the state of West Virginia, residing in Union District and receiving his mail at Arbuckle. William, his son John, and grandson Irvin, were all watch makers or fixers. Billy and Catherine had 14 children:
John (1868-1914),
Victoria (1869-1925),
Miriam (1871-1882),
Nathaniel (1873-1948),
Prudence (1875-1898),
Minnie (1877-1882),
Catherine (1879-1925),
Sarah (1881-1946),
William H. Jr. (1883-1965),
Maude (1885-1943),
Claud (1890-1973),
Baby Girl (1895-1895),
Ernest (1896-1962),
Baby boy (1897-1897).

Visit West Virginia Cemetery Preservation Association, Inc.