Trouble Over Estate of James Sexton-1908

SEXTON, SCHOENFELD, LALLY, GILL, CONNOR, SHAW SIMMS, KUEHLE, ODONNELL, PENNY, SANTEE, LILL SCHOENFELD

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 2/24/2020 at 22:14:08

Denison Review, Wednesday, Apr 08, 1908, Denison, IA, Page: 1

There is trouble over the estate of the late John Sexton of Solider Township, and the case is now pending before a jury. Mr. Sexton was one of the old time settlors of Solider, and by good business ability added to his land holding, until when he died he owned over a section of fine land. He died Dec, 25th last. He willed all his property to his three sons, Thomas, Daniel and James, cutting out his two daughters, Mrs. Nellie O’Donnell of Mapleton and Mrs. Mary Penny of Battle Creek. The daughters now want their share of the property claiming that the father was unduly influenced by the sons in the last hours of his sickness. They are represented by Attorney Gill of Sioux City and Conner and Lally of Denison. The defense of the will is in the hands of Shaw, Simms and Kuehle. The esstate is worth over fifty Thousand dollars.

The daughters are setting up that they worked hard on the farm doing the work until they were married which did not occur until they were twenty-five, this helping to save money for the family. That when they were married they received but little and they have received nothing since. The boys were given the land to work and helped in stock and machinery. They claim that one brother by reason of his wrong doing in a relation with a school girl caused his father much financial loss. They set forth that nothing they had done, or left undone should have prejudiced the mind of their father against them if the brothers had not used undue influence to poison his mind to them.

The sons set forth that the will is the act of their father when he knew just what he was doing. It was drawn by Banker Santee of Battle Creek an witnessed by two neighbors, Wm. Lill and Fritz Schoenfeld read to the father and he understood be extended argument before the jury.