Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Holdgrafer

HOLDGRAFER, TOSKE, GROHE, WULF

Posted By: Char (email)
Date: 5/9/2010 at 23:56:55

In the name of God Amen:
I Elizabeth Holdgrafer being of sound mind and memory and of lawful age do make declare, and publish this to be my last will and testament.
1- I direct the payment of all my lawful debts.

2- I give devise and bequeath to the Sisters of St. Francis Convent at Dubuque Iowa One Hundred dollars to be used by them in the car and nurture of the orphan children in their charge, that is, they are to expend the same for the direct benefit of the most needy orphans so in their charge by purchasing clothing and such things as will conduce to the welfare of said orphans.

3- I further direct that the Executor expend and pay to the Parish Priest of St. Boniface Church at Lyons Iowa at or soon after my death the sum of fifty dollars for masses to be said for the repose of my soul.

4- I direct that the Executor of this my will pay and expend for and to the Parish Priest of St. Boniface Church at Lyons Iowa the sum of fifty dollars soon after my death for which the said Priest shall say masses for the repose of the soul of my deceased Husband John Henry Holdgrafer.

5- I further direct that the further sum of fifty dollars be given and paid out by the Executor of this will to the said Parish Priest of St. Boniface Church at my death or time of payment thereof for masses to be said for soul of my husband now deceased.

6- I give devise and bequeath to St. Boniface Church at Lyons in the sum of fifty dollars to be paid to the Parish Priest of said Church at the time of my decease and payment thereof to be expended by him for the benefit of the said church at Lyons Ia.
6 ½- I give devise and bequeath the household good to my children as particularly itemized in statement hereto attached marked “A” and direct my executor to deliver the different articles as stated in said attached list.

7- I give devise and bequeath unto Mary Toske of Galena Illinois the sum of fifty dollars.

8- I further provide and direct that all the balance and residue of my estate except my household goods shall be divided equally between my children William, John, Dedrick and Henry Holdgrafer share and share alike and I further direct that the share going to John shall be applied in his promissory note for $300 and interest now held by me and if said note and interest more than equals the share so coming to him he shall pay the excess into such estate.

For the purpose of closing up said estate and executing this will I direct that my executor convert my estate into money and authorize the said Executor of this will to make all deeds necessary and to sign all papers the same as I might do were I living.

I hereby authorize the executor of this Will to erect a suitable monument over my remains.
I hereby appoint and constitute Wm. Holdgrafer Executor of this my last will and testament and hereby direct that he do not be required to give bond as such executor.
Dated at Lyons Ia. July 5/87
Elizabeth (X) Holdgrafer

W. C. Grohe Witness to signature and mark of Elizabeth Holdgrafer. Frank Wulf witness to signature and mark of Elizabeth Holdgrafer.
The above will was by Elizabeth Holdgrafer signed and executed as her last will and testament and at her request we signed the same as witnesses therto in her presence and in the presence of each other and she at the time of signing the same acknowledged the same to be her last will and testament.
Frank Wulf – Lyons Ia.
W. C. Grohe – Lyons Ia.

“A”
I give to Wm. Holdgrafer The Bureau, Large Rocking chair and Two Beds and Bedding.
I give to John Holdgrafer The Lounge or Couch and 5 chairs.
I give to Dedrick Holdgrafer 2 Beds and Bedding balance of Chairs, one closet for clothing.
I give to Henry Holdgrafer Two tables and small cupboard.
The Executor divide equitable among the said children the balance of household goods, pictures.

State of Iowa
Clinton County
I William Kreim, clerk of the District Court in and for said County do hereby certify that on this day at the April Term A. D. 1888 of said Court the will and instrument in writing hereunto annexed and bearing date in the 5th day of July 1887 was duly proved before and allowed by said court as and for the last will and testament of the real and personal estate of Elizabeth Holdgrafer late of said County deceased and was by said Court ordered to be recorded as such will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto at my hand and affixed the seal of the court at my office in Clinton in said County this 18th day of April A. D. 1888.
Seal – William Kreim, Clerk