OBIT: Sophia Houdenshell, 1909, Gettysburg, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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Sophia Houdenshell

Sophia Houdenshell died at the County Home in Gettysburg Saturday evening, July 
10, at the great age of 87 years.  About sixteen years ago George Houdenshell 
and his wife Sophia, lived at Abbottstown.  They had passed the three score and 
ten mark.  They had no children and felt then the burden of old age.  They had 
no near relatives in this country.  They asked the Director of the Poor to 
accept a deed for their Abbottstown home and care for them at the County Home 
and bury them at their death.  Their proposition was accepted and it is doubtful 
whether more contented people ever ended their days at the County Home.  They 
often remarked that they were more comfortable and better cared for than they 
had been able to care for themselves.  George Houdenshell was laid to rest in 
the Evergreen Cemetery several years ago and Monday Sophia Houdenshell was 
interred by his side in the same cemetery. – Gettysburg Compiler.

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Referring to the above, a correspondent who knew the Houdenshell family for many 
years, writes:

We noticed in the “Compiler” of July 14, the death of Sophia Houdenshell, 
claimed to be the wife of Geo. Houdenshell.  This is an error.  The wife of 
George Houdenshell, whose name was Maggie, died at the County Home of Adams 
County more than 11 years ago, and her husband some years since; the exact time 
the writer is unable to give.

Sophia Houdenshell, who died on July 10, as the Compiler states, instead of 
being the wife of George Houdenshell, was his sister, and not his wife.

Doubtless because the officials at the Adams County Home changed several times 
since George Houdenshell and his wife were taken there, as also the sister, Miss 
Sophia this mistake occurred.

The Hanover Herald – Saturday, July 17, 1906