This my last Will and Testament. I, Herman B. KOBBE of the County of Clinton and State of Illinois of the age of 55 years, and being of sound mind and memory, do make publick and declare this my last will and Testament, in manner following, that is to say
At First : It is my Will that my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid.
At Second: I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Franciska, the house and lot on which I now reside, lot number thirty three, in Block "L" in West addition to the town of Hanover, also the SE quarter of the NE quarter of the SE quarter of section ten Town One North Range four West, all in the County of Clinton and State of Illinois and all the goods and chattels, mony, Notes, House and Kitchen furniture of what nature or kind soever.
At Last: I appoint my beloved wife Franciska, as my Executrix, and having the greatest confidence in her honesty and integrity, I require neither bond in security from her, but authorize her to do all things as I could do if I was alive, to settle all my affairs, to collect all my due and claims, and to pay all my just debts, without having any appraisement, inventory or executrix nor to be acocuntable for so doing to anyone. I hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Seventh day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Eight.
H.B. Kobbe (his seal)
The above instrument consisting of one sheet, was at the date thereof, signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Herman B Kobbe, as and for his last Will and Testament in presence of us, who at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
John NIEMEYER :: residing at Hanover
H. W. WILKEN :: Clinton County, Ills
State of Illinois:: In the County Court of said county
Clinton County:: In probate January term, A.D.) 1874.
Personally appeared in open court, John Niemeyer and H. W. Wilken subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing, purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of H. B. Kobbe late of Clinton county, deceased, who being duly sworn according to the law, do depose and say, Each for himself, that the forgoing to be the Last Will and Testament of the said H. B. Kobbe deceased, that they subscribed their names thereto as attesting witnesses at the request of the said Testator, and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, on the Seventh day of May A.D. 1868, that they then and there subscribed their names thereto in his presence, and declared the same to be his last Will and Testament and they they then and there subscribed (his?) name thereto and declared the same to be his last Will and Testament, and that the said Testator at the time of executing the same as aforesaid was of full age, of sound mind, and memory, and under no constraint.
John Niemeyer
H.W. Wilken
Subscribed and sworn to in open
court, this 21st day of January A.D. 1874
Henry Schuremann (sp?)
Transcribed by Carol Windle