Last Will and Testament of Ferdinand Becker
I Ferdinand BECKER of the County of Clinton and State of Illinois do make and public this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say.
First - It is my will that my funeral Expenses and first Debts be fully paid.
Second - After the Payment of such Expenses and Debts I give to my beloved wife Catharine BECKER the farm on which we now reside situated in the County of Clinton and State of Illinois to wit
The ? section 11 T.1 R 4 west acres 40.
" ? " 12 " 1 R 4 " " 160.
" ? " 13 " 1 R 4 " " 40.
" ? " 13 " 1 R 4 " " 80.
" ? " 14 " 1 R 4 " " 80.
during her natural Life and all their life stock of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and by me now owned and Kept thereon also all the House and Kitchen furniture and all other articles not particularly named and for my said wife to keep the farm and all personal Property and to devided among my and her children as she will dispose of to her own wish and will and Testament but the farm has to be willed to my sons or son to whom my said wife will just best.
Third - The sums after named as my children and my wifes stepchildren all of age will sign their names as received the full amount of money as claimed of the Estate except William BECKER now in California.
I give and bequeath to him the sum of Eight Hundred fifty Dollars which shall be paid by my said wife to my said son William Becker after my Death but if my said wife Catharine Becker shall alot to marriage after my death the whole of my Property shall be dealt with accordingly to Law and this Will shall be null and void.
Lastly - I hereby appoint my said Wife Catharine Executrix for this my last Will and Testament without giving Bond and security as I have the full confidence in her that she will act as good as if I was alife.
In witness whereof I the said Ferdinand Becker have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17 day of January A.D. 1864.
F. Becker {seal}
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Ferd. Becker have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of January A.D. 1864 as and for his last will and Testament in presence of us who at his request have signed as witnesses to the same.
H. LAMPEN
Johann NORDMANN
Received of Ferdinand Becker of my fathers Estate the sum of One Thousand Dollars in full of all claims I hold against my father's Estate this 17th of January A.D. 1864.
Frederick BECKER
Received of Ferdinand Becker or of my fathers Estate the sum off One Thousand Dollars in full for all claims I hold against my fathers Estate this 17 of January A.D. 1864.
Henry BECKER
Received of Ferdinand Becker or of my fathers Estate the sum of One Thousand Dollars in full for all claims I hold against my fathers Estate this 17 of January A.D. 1864.
Elizabeth {her mark} HULSMAN
Anton HULSMAN
Heirs at Law of F. Becker
Received of Ferdinand Becker or of my Fathers Estate the sum of Eight Hundred and fifty Dollars in full for all claims I hold against my Fathers Estate this January 28, 1860.
F. W. BECKER
Heir at Law of F. Becker
Probate of Will
State of Illinois} In county court of said county
Clinton County} In Probate August Term A.D. 1868
Personally appeared in open court, H. Lampen and Johann NORDMAN subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Ferdinand Becker late of Clinton County deceased who being duly sworn according to law do depose and say each for himself that the foregoing is the last Will and Testament of said Ferdinand Becker deceased; that they subscribed their names thereto as the attesting witness at the request of the said Testator and in his presence and in the presence of each other on the 17th day of January 1868. That he then and there subscribed his name thereto in our presence, 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.
Hy. Lampen {seal}
J. Nordman
Sworn to and subscribed, this 18TH day of August A.D. 1868 in open court before me.
R.A. Ramsay
Transcribed by Melody Reissen on 12 September 2001 from FHC microfilm # 1007839 Clinton County Wills 1857 to 1914, Vol. A-C, record 148/149. Transcribed as written which included misspelled words and date discrepancies