Joseph Shimmerda, Nov 1, 1857

SHIMMERDA, REED, SHIRK, HERSHBERGER, BRAKEY, SHIMERDA

Posted By: LuAnn Goeke (email)
Date: 4/30/2006 at 18:19:12

Will of Joseph Shimmerda

1 Nov. 1857, Bellevue, IA

In the name of God, Amen. I, Joseph Shimmerda, of Monmouth Township, Jackson County and State of Iowa, being in poor health of body and of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, to wit:

First, it is my will and I do order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Catherine, all my real and personal property, of whatsoever kind or description, may be left after my death, to have and to hold as lawfully and amply as I now can and do, for and during the term of her natural life or as long as she remains my widow, and immediately upon her decease or marriage, I give and devise the said property, real and personal, to my herein named children.

All the real and personal property left at my wife's death, my son, Anthony Shimmerda, shall have and hold as his own by paying my oldest daughter, Francisco, twenty-five dollars in good and lawful money and one cow; and Catherine, my next oldest daughter, twenty-five dollars in [good] and lawful money and one cow; and Anna, my third daughter, twenty-five dollars in good and lawful money and one cow; and Antony, my fourth daughter, also twenty-five dollars in good and lawful money and one cow; and after making those payments, he shall have and hold all the ballance[sic] of property, real and personal, that is left of my estate after the death of my wife, Catherine, as fully, freely and amply as I myself can and may now occupy, possess and enjoy the same as his own.

And lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my son, Anthony Shimmerda, to be the executor of this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all other wills, legacies and bequests by me heretofore made and declare this, and no other, to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this first day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven. Joseph Simmerda[sic] {seal}

Signed, sealed, published and delivered by the law, a testament to be his last will and testament in the presence of us witnesses: Daniel Reed, Joseph E. Shirk, J.R. Hershberger.

State of Iowa }
Jackson County} I, J.M.Brakey, clerk of the County Court, in and for said County, do hereby certify that the witnesses whose names are subscribed to the above Will, appeared at the January term of the County Court AD 1858, and, being duly examined by the said Court, it was ordered by the Court, that said Will be entered of record and that the same be established as the Will of said deceased as provided by law. Given under my hand and the seal of our said Court at Bellevue, this 9th day of January AD 1858.
J.M. Brakey, Clerk, By J.C. Brakey, Deputy.

Source: District Court Records, Jackson Co. Courthouse, Maquoketa, Iowa. Copies at Jackson Co. Genealogical Society Library, Pearson Hall, Maquoketa, IA.