Wednesday, 3 November 1909---GADSDEN DAILY TIMES NEWS .
Obal Christopher, one of the pioneer builders of Etowah County, a prominent citizen of Gadsden and a gallant soldier of the Confederacy and one of the most lovable men in the world, died at his home on Eleventh street this morning at 4:45 o'clock.
Death was due to general breakdown and it had been anticipated for some time. Several years ago he was badly crippled while exploring an iron mine in the western portion of the county and he never wholly recovered, but his wonderful vitality and energy kept him up and he continued to work without ceasing until a few months ago when nervous prostration and kindred complications made it imperative for him to take a rest and seek treatment in hospitals and home. For several weeks he had been confined to his bed and on Monday it was reported that he was sinking and that his death was a matter of only a few hours. He sank slowly and this morning went into a quiet sleep from which he did not awake.
On the tenth of June, 1861, Mr. Christopher enlisted in a company raised in Gadsden and commanded by Capt. Abner A. Hughes and which was assigned to the Tenth Alabama regiment then under the command of Gen. John H. Forney. He went to the front at once and went into his first engagement at Dranesville, Va., during the following December. In his first battle he was severly wounded, but he continued in the war until the surrender in 1865. He was in the battles of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Petersburg, Fredericksburg and many other desperate engagements of the Virginia campaign. He was captured on the day before the surrender and was released at once. His record as a soldier of his beloved southland is second to none and the old Confederate veterans will mourn his loss mourn than others.
Mr. Christopher led an active business career and made several fortunes. He was among the first to mine iron at Attalla and was chiefly instrumental in bringing the importance of that place to public notice. He was one of several local men to put up money to build the blast furnace which is now a part of the great Consolidated plant. Of late years he spent his time in surveying the ore fields of the western portion of Etowah County, and he knew more about the iron and coal deposits in the Gadsden district than any other man.
Several times he was elected an alderman of this city, and the people always delighted to honor him.
Mr. Christopher's mother, Mrs. S.A. Christopher, is still living and is a resident of this city. He leaves a wife but no children. The surviving brothers are Columbus of Talladega; Abihu of Attalla; Zebulon of Turin, Ga.; Luther of Missouri; W.G., G.E., A.L. and Rufus of Gadsden and Joseph of Trussville. The sisters are Mrs. Emeline Young of Arkansas; Mrs. Mary Shockley of Coats Bend; Mrs. Delia Trotter of Lyerly, Ga.; Mrs. Ella Fulcher and Mrs. Dooly Sharp of Gadsden.
The funeral arrangements have not yet been completed, but the hour has been set at three o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

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Thursday, 4 November 1909---GADSDEN DAILY TIMES NEWS .
The funeral of Obal Christopher will be held at the family residence on Eleventh street this afternoon at 3 o'clock.
Rev. J.H. Cameron will conduct the services at the residence and then the Odd Fellows will take charge and march in a body to escort the remains to Forrest cemetery.
The Emma Sansom camp on Confederate veterans will also be in attendance, and the funeral will be an imposing one.