OBIT: Hannah GATES, 1880, Rebecca Furnace, Blair County, PA

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MARTINSBURG MATTERS.
PERSONAL REMINISCENCE.

  The funeral of Mrs. Joseph [sic] Gates occurred on Sunday afternoon 
at 2 o'clock, from her late residence at Rebecca Furnace.  Mrs. Gates 
was one among the oldest residents of the Cove, her age having been 86 
years, 10 months and 22 days.  She was born in Lancaster county, and, 
after her marriage came with her husband to this section at the time 
that Dr. Shoenberg commenced to build Rebecca Furnace, and has lived 
there ever since.  Her husband, Joseph Gates, who is still living at 
the advanced age of 92 years, hauled the first load of stone for the 
foundation of the furnace, and continued in the service of Dr. 
Shoenberg from that time until too weak on account of age, as a 
faithful and trusted employe.  Dr. Shoenberg's attachment for him was 
manifested in his will, which gave him a life interest in a house and 
lot besides a legacy in cash, and the charge to his heirs that Mr. 
Gates and his wife should be specially cared for after his decease.  
The aged couple had traveled hand in hand over life's thorny pathway 
for more than sixty years, and now that death has divided them then 
aged husband is disconsolate, and looks forward with longing eyes to 
the time when he, too, shall be called away.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Wednesday, September 8, 1880

An Aged Lady.

  Mrs. Joseph Gates, who died about two weeks ago at Rebecca Furnace, 
was almost 87 years old, and came there with her husband from Lancaster 
county, at the time Dr. Shoenberger commenced building the furnace.  
Her husband, Joseph, is still living, at the age of 92, and is the 
ancestor of more great-great-grandchildren than any other man in Blair 
County.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Saturday, September 18, 1880

1880 Huston Township, Blair County census -
John Gates, 87 
Hannah Gates, 86

1850 Huston Township, Blair County census -
John Gates, 57 
Hannah Gates, 56 
Eliza Gates, 17 
David Gates, 10 
Henry Ross, 10