Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-04-03
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.
Made by Jere D. Witter and Drawn By Goqqins
& Brazeau.

Made by Jere D. WItter and Drawn BY Goggins
Brazeau,
AS !. D. Witter has been very
liberal towards the city of Grand
Rapids, where he has lived most of his
life, and reared his family, there is
naturally great desire to know the
contents of his will which was filed
at the County Judges office on Thurs
day, March q, we publish it verbatim
as there recorded. as follows:
In the name of God, Amen.
|, Jere d. Witter, of the CITY of
Grand Rapids, in the county of Wood
and state Of Wisconsin. being of sound
mind and memory and mindful of the
uncertainties Of human life, do hereby
make. publish and declare this nv
Will and Testament. hereby revOking
all former Wills by me heretofore
made, in the manner following, to wit:
FIRST: After the payment of my
Just debts ana funeral expenses, give,
devise and bequeath to my brother,
George W. Witter, and to my sisters,
Sarah Ann Coon, Harriet Sophia
lngraham, Lucy Maria Knapp, Susan
Adalaid Billins and Florence Gertrude
Johnson, each the sum of five thou
sand (s5.000l dollars, and to my
nephewS, Lowell Hastings Webb,
Clarence Knapp and Harry E. Witter.
and my niece, Mary Witter Walker,
each the sum of two thousand five
hundred (S2, 500) dollars
SECOND: [ give, devise and be-
queath to the J. D. Witter Free
Travelling Library Association and to
the T. B. Scott Free Public Library of
Grand Rapids, Wisconsin. each the
sum of five thousand (s5,OO0) dollars
THIRD: L give. devise and bequeath
to every regularly organized church
within the limits of the city of Grand
Rapids, Wisconsin, each the sum of
one Thousand (S1,000) dollars.
FOURTH: | give. devise and be-
queath to Emma BuSS, who at the
date of this Will is in nv employ, the
sum of five hundred $500 dollars.
FIFTH: | give, devise and bequeath
to the Board OF Education of the city
OF Grand Rapids" Of Grand Rapids,
| Wisconsin. and its successors. the sum
OF nifty thousand (S50,000) dollars. to
be used by said board and it's success
sors according to their best Judgment
for permanent improvements in the
way Of school buildings, in said city
and appliances, apparatus and equip
ment therefor: but not to be used in
whole or IN part for the payment of
the cost of the New High School
Building now projected for said city.
or for the payment, in whole or in
part, of any of the debt incurred
therefor. or for the payment of
teachers salaries or other general run-
ming expenses Of the schools in said
city.
SIXTH: The above and foregoing
bequPStS in paragraphs numbered one
! to live inclusive shall not be paid
| until live years from the date of my
death. except that | empower INV
executors to paw any or all of said
bequestS at any time. within said
period OF five ~ years, if in their dis
cretlOn such payment or payments
ought to be made within that time
| SEVENTH: [ give. devise and be-
queath to my beloved wife, Emily L.
Witter, my homestead property in the
city of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin. TO-
| gether with all the furniture, pictures
and library therein and fixtures con-
nected Herewith: also my wearing
apparel and ornaments and my car
rIage, team, harnesses, carriages and
sleigh.
EIGHTH: give and bequeath to my
said wife, Emily L. Witter, to my son,
Isaac P. Witter, and to my daughter.
Ruth E. Mead, executors hereinafter
named, the sum of five thousand
| 5.OOO) dollars in trust for nv adopted
daughter, Laura IneZ Witter. to be
paid to her without increase when she
reaches the age of twenty-five (25)
years or sooner. in whole or in part, if
in their Judgment it ought to be so
paid, and should she die before that
age, the same shall revert to my
estate. | further direct that nv said
executors shall carefully provide for
my said adopted daughter in manner
beltting her station until she arrives
at the age of twenty-one (2l) years.
NINTH: The rest, residue and re-
mainder of my property of every name
and nature, real. personal and mixed,
| give. devise and heQueath to my
said wife, Emily L. Witter. to nv son,
Isaac P. Witter, and to my daughter,
Ruth E. Mead, share and share alike
TENTH: | hereby authorize and
empower my said executors herein
after named without the necessity Of
any order OF court, to sell and convey
any and all property, real, personal or
II mixed. that | may own at the time Of
my death, to change the form of in
vestmentS and to transact all business
connected with my estate to the same
extent that | could if living.
ELEVENTH.: | hereby constitute
and appoint my said wife. Emily L
iWitter, my son. Isaac P Witter, and
my daughter, Ruth E. Mead. executors
Of this my last Will and Testament,
and | request and direct that neither
Oh said persons be required to give any
bond or other security for the faithful
performance Of their duties as such
. executors, or any other duty by them
to be performed under this VIII. and
. in case any of my said executors
should die or refuse to act. the survi-
. vors or survivor of them shall be the
executors Of this viii.
. In witness whereof [ have hereunto
set my hand and seal this 18th day of
March, A. D. 1902
JERE D. WITTER, TsEALl
Signed and sealed by the TestatOr
Jere D. Wittcr as his last VIII and
Testament, in the presence of us, who.
at his request, and in his presence,
and in the presence of each other,
nave hereuntO subscribed our names
as witnesses.
W. G.. SCHROEDEL, of Grand Rapids.
Wood County. Wisconsin.
b. r. GOGGINS. of Grand Rapids.