Court Opinion

ID: 8183661
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 23:05:50.223885+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:40:20.149128
License: Public Domain

Taylor, J.
This action was brought by the appellant to set aside a conveyance of real estate made by'him and the said Maria Konrad to the respondent Emil Zimmermann, bearing date March 22, 1889, for 100 acres of land, and also* certain personal property, consisting of horses, cattle, and farming implements. The facts bearing upon the transaction sought to be set aside and avoided by the plaintiff, on the ground of fraud and undue influence, are briefly the following:
In 18?4 the plaintiff was a widower, and owned the land in question. He had several children by a former wife, but they had all grown up, and had left his home, and were supporting themselves. The plaintiff at that time married *308the said Maria, who was tben a widow having five children, the eldest being Emil, the respondent, who was then in his thirteenth year. The others were much younger. Maria had very little property of any kind, certainly not exceeding $150 in all. Immediately after their marriage, in 1874, the plaintiff took his wife and five children to his home on his farm. He supported the children from that time until they were grown up, and the two boys, Emil and his brother, have always since the marriage lived on said farm, and assisted in working and carrying on the same, and having their support and maintenance therefrom. There seems to have been no trouble in the relations of the family until some time in the fall of the year 1888. Shortly after Emil came of age his step-father hired him and paid him wages for a few months at the rate of $15 per month, and at the expiration of his time the father declined to hire him for wages longer, and as he says told Emil he could not pay him wages longer, and that he might go. But Emil remained and worked as he had done before, getting his living and clothing, and small amounts of spending money, as he had before he became of age.
It also appears in the evidence that some time in 1879, when the plaintiff was injured and unwell, he made a will by which he devised and bequeathed the farm and all his personal property to his wife, Maria, and constituted her the sole executrix of his said will. This devise was subject to the payment of $25 each to his four children by his former wife. As said above, the family lived in peace and apparent contentment together on the farm until the fall of 1888. At that time Emil, it seems, was not satisfied with the way he was living and working on the farm, and desired to rent the farm and work it himself. There was some trouble grew out of this. The father, it seems, did not like the idea of giving up the control of the farm to his step-son Emil. It is also probable from the evidence that *309Emil, ancl perhaps Maria, bis wife, bad discovered that tbe plaintiff bad destroyed tbe will made in 1879. Tbe evidence tends to show that, during tbe winter of 1888-89, there was considerable bad feeling between the members of tbe family, and at times quarrels, and early in March, 1889, Emil demanded of bis step-father that be should pay him wages for bis work on tbe farm since be came of age. This tbe step-father refused to do, and Emil then threatened to sue him for such wages, and after some contention about tbe matter EmAl commenced a suit against bis stepfather for bis wages, and claimed in said action tbe sum of §1,200. Barney & Kuechemneister were bis attorneys in said action. Immediately upon being threatened with a suit by Emil, tbe plaintiff consulted with Dow Maxon, a neighbor, in whom be seemed to have confidence, as to what be should do in the matter. Mr. Maxon advised him to do-nothing until an action was commenced. After tbe action was commenced, Mr. Maxon came to tbe bouse of tbe plaintiff, and there, in tbe presence of Emil and tbe rest of tbe family, induced tbe plaintiff to produce tbe old will, which then appeared to have been destroyed by removing tbe names of tbe testator and of tbe witnesses. Mr. Maxon advised tbe plaintiff to make some arrangement with Emil which would be satisfactory to him and to the rest of tbe family, and with that view, on tbe 18th day of March, 1889,. he induced the plaintiff to make another will, which be drew, and which was duly signed bjr tbe plaintiff, and properly witnessed. Tbe following is a copy of this will:
“ I, Frank Philip Konrad, of tbe town of Polk, Washington county, and state of Wisconsin, mindful of the uncertainties of life, do make this, my last will and testament, in the manner following: (1) After paying my just debts and funeral expenses, I give to my following named children each (§25) twenty-five dollars: Elizabeth Zeagen-bean, of Appleton; Maria Oppermann, of town Polk; Frank *310Konrad, Sturgeon Bay; and Katherine Benake, Washington county. (2) All the rest of my estate, both real and personal, I give to my wife, Ma/ria Konrad, to have and to hold so long as she may live, for her sole benefit and use, and upon her death to be divided equally between her two sons, namely, Emil Zñmmermcmn, of the town of Polk, Washington county, Wisconsin, and Bruno .Zimmermann, of the same place. (3) I nominate and appoint Benjamin Turck, of the town of Polk, executor of this my last will and testament, and hereby authorize him to compound and settle any claim and demand against or in favor of my estate. Dated this 18th day of March, 1889. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 18th day of March, 1889. • Eranz Ph. Konrad. [Seal.]
“ This instrument, written on both sides of one sheet of paper, was signed by this said testator, and declared to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who have signed our names at his request as witnesses, in his presence, and in the presence of each other.
“ Peed Patow, of Cedar Creek, Wis.
“ Dow Maxoh, of Cedar Creek, WisP
At the same time Mr. Maxon drew up the following contract, which was duly signed by the plaintiff: “ It is hereby agreed between Franh Philip Konrad, party of the first part, and Emil Zimmermamn, and his brother, Bruno Zim-mermann, parties of the second part, that in full consideration of their services already rendered, and services that may hereafter be rendered, the party of the first agrees and promises to secure to each of thein (§500) five hundred within six months after his death, and therefore to enter into a proper contract to be drawn by S. S. Barney, obliging his administrators, executors, or assigns to pay to the parties of the second part the above amount as stated. Dated this 18th day of March, 1889. Erahz Ph. KohradP
Emil, the respondent, was present when these papers *311were drawn and executed, and the witness Maxon says it was understood between tbe father and the boys that some other writing should be drawn by Mr. Barney, one of the attorneys for Emil, to secure to the boys the performance of the contract last above quoted, and that when that was done it would settle the matters between Emil and his father. Mr. Maxon also testified that he communicated with Mr. Barney in relation to his drawing the writing to secure the performance of said contract. Mr. Maxon testified, also, that the plaintiff seemed anxious to keep his property as long as he lived, but that he was willing to pay Emil for his work.
Mr. G-rule, a witness for the plaintiff, testified that on the 19th or 20th of March,. 1889, he talked with Emil: “ The boys says the old man makes some paper out at the creek. Maxon made it. I get $500, Emil says, and my brother gets $500. We agree together to rent the land-the first year. In the -fall we make a new bargain with him. Then he made his will. After he is dead it over to Mm (Emil), only he is boss,— the old man,— as long as he live. Emil says: The first time he didn’t give not $300, now he gives $500, and my brother gets, afterwards the old man is dead, $500. I told him, that’s good. He says that’s his opinion. The first time he didn’t give me $300, now I get $500. Sometimes looks like he crazy. Maybe he is crazy. Maybe he will be.” This evidence of the witness Grule is not disputed or denied by the plaintiff, and I quote it for the purpose of showing that what the witness Maxon testified to as to the arrangement made between the parties was understood by Emil at the time, and consented to by him, and it also confirms the statement made by Maxon that the old man was anxious to retain control of matters as long as he lived. There is other evidence in the case showing that the plaintiff was disturbed in his mind about his affairs, and since the fall of 1888 *312there bad been trouble, from time to time, about bis domestic affairs. Even bis wife testifies that at one time be was away from borne three days and nigbts and stayed in tbe woods. There is also evidence that tbe old man was offended with Mr. Barney’s firm for suing him.
Tbe defendant claims that tbe plaintiff, without any importuning on bis part, after signing the papers drawn by Mr. Maxon to settle the matters, proposed to change tbe whole thing, and deed tbe farm to him, and sent to Maxon’s to get tbe papers be bad drawn, and, when they were brought to tbe bouse, be directed them to be put in tbe stove, and that they were brought to tbe bouse. On tbe same day they went to West Bend, and bad tbe deed and other papers drawn, which tbe plaintiff now seeks to set aside. Tbe papers Maxon drew were not put into the stove, but they were laid aside, and were not taken to West Bend, and tbe plaintiff bad never afterwards asked for them. Maxon testifies that it was bis intention' to be present at West Bend when tbe paper was to be drawn pp to secure tbe performance of tbe contract be bad drawn for tbe parties, and would have been there bad be known that tbe parties were at Mr. Barney’s for tbe purpose of settling these matters.
Tbe evidence shows that no one was present at Mr. Barney’s office to act as adviser on tbe part of tbe plaintiff when tbe papers were executed there, and Mr. Kuechen-meister, who drew tbe papers, states that much of tbe directions for drawing them came from Emil, although be testifies that every part of tbe papers was fully explained to tbe plaintiff before be signed them, and that be thinks be fully understood their provisions, and freely assented to them. Tbe evidence, however, shows that tbe papers were written in English, and that tbe defendant could neither read, write, nor understand that language, and be necessarily must have depended entirely upon Mr. Kuechen-*313meister’s translation of the same into German for the information of the plaintiff. The evidence also discloses some things which happened shortly after the papers were executed, which tend to indicate that the plaintiff did not fully comprehend the legal effect of the papers he had signed, and seemed to be greatly disappointed and distressed to leam that he had no further control of the personal property on the place, especially the stock.
Ye think it unnecessary to make further comment upon the evidence, except to say that we think it does not fairly support the following findings of fact by the learned circuit judge, viz.:
“ (6) That at about the time the said Emil became of age said plaintiff promised to pay him wages, if he would remain with him and continue to work said farm, and that said defendant Emil, because of said promise, remained with said plaintiff, and worked his farm until it was deeded to him as hereinafter mentioned, to wit, for about six years, but that he received no part of his wages, except his necessary clothing and a trifling spending money.
“ (T) That on the 15th day of March,1889, said Emil commenced an action in the circuit court of "Washington county against said plaintiff by the service of a summons ancl verified complaint, wherein he claimed that $1,200 was due him from said plaintiff as wages for such service.
“ (8) That after the commencement of said action by said Emil said plaintiff proposed to and did agree with him to deed him, said farm, and to give him certain personal property, and to accept, in consideration thereof, the settlement of said suit, a contract for life-support for himself and wife, and the payment of certain sums of money to the persons and at times mentioned in the written contract hereinafter mentioned.
“ (9) That the terms of said settlement were fully considered by all the parties thereto before the same were *314finally consummated, and that said plaintiff bad consulted with, and taken counsel from his friends regarding the same.”
“ (12) That such settlement of said suit, the making of the transfers of said property and of said contract, were fairly conducted by all the parties thereto; that plaintiff was then and there fully advised as to his conduct, and the effect of said settlement, and the instrument executed; that he was free from any undue or wrong influence whatsoever, and that neither said Emil or said Maria practiced upon him any fraud or undue influence, nor did any one for or in their behalf; that said plaintiff, at the time the terms of the said settlement were agreed upon between him and the said Maria on the one part, and said Emil on the other, and at the time they were reduced to writing and executed by said parties, respectively, said plaintiff was in possession of all his mental faculties, and 'competent to make said deed, and enter into said agreement, and that said deed and contract are his free act and deed.”
“ (13) That the terms and provisions and settlement were just and fair towards said plaintiff, and that neither said Emil nor said Ma/ria obtained any undue advantage thereby.”
While we do not claim that there is no evidence which tends to support all the findings of fact above quoted, we think it is a,question of some doubt, at least, whether any of them are fully sustained by the evidence, and as to the ninth, twelfth, and thirteenth findings we are well satisfied that they are not supported by the preponderance of the evidence in the case. The fact that the plaintiff, under the advice of his friend, in whom he seemed, at least, to have confidence, made the contract with Emil for the settlement of their trouble, and which all the evidence shows was apparently satisfactory to the plaintiff, and at least not unsatisfactory to Emil, and which certainly was a much better *315contract for the protection of the plaintiff than the one he entered into within four days thereafter, without the advice of any person present and acting for him, and which was drawn up in the presence of the defendant, by his attorney, and mostly at his dictation, is strong evidence that some improper influence was operating on the mind of the plaintiff, which induced him to execute said deed, and accept the contract and mortgage which constituted the settlement now brought in question. And this conclusion is confirmed by the fact that very soon after he made this last settlement, and when he realized the legal effect of it, he manifested great dissatisfaction in regard to it. The vacillating conduct of the plaintiff in regard to his affairs, both before and after the settlement was made, shows that his mental faculties and judgment were weakened by the infirmity of age or disease, and, to our minds, rendered it unwise for him to act in so grave a matter as the execntion of the papers in question, without the advice and counsel of some one in whom he had confidence, acting on his. behalf.
The facts of this case are of a similar nature to those existing in the case of Watkins v. Brant, 46 Wis. 419, and what was said in that case by the late learned chief justice on pages 428, 429, of the impropriety of an attorney obtaining a settlement of a litigation, acting on the part of his client in the absence of any one to counsel or advise the adverse party, is to some extent, at least, applicable to the case at bar. In the case at bar the firm of attorneys, one of whom drew the papers in this case and obtained the signature of the plaintiff to the same, were prosecuting an action in favor of the defendant against the plaintiff, upon a large claim, and one which, if made successful to its full extent, would have greatly embarrassed .the plaintiff at his time of life, if it would not have absolutely ruined him financially. Under such circumstances, and considering the other influences surrounding him, no contract made by the plaintiff which *316was not essentially a fair, honest, and on the whole a beneficial one to him, ought to be sustained, and, as we have said above, upon the whole evidence in the case, we cannot agree Avith the learned circuit judge “ that the terms and provisions. and settlement were just and fair towards said plaintiff, and that neither the said Emil nor said Maria, obtained any undue advantage thereby.”
As this court did in the case of Watkins v. Brant, supra, we must hold that the deed, contract, and settlement should have been set aside for undue influence.
By the Court.—The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause is remanded with directions to the circuit court to enter a judgment in favor of the plaintiff, declaring the said deed of the plaintiff to the defendant void; and also to vacate and set aside the contract executed by Emil to the plaintiff, and the mortgage to secure the performance thereof, as well as the discontinuance of the action of Emil against the plaintiff.