The Will Means I Need to Look at Deeds

Sections 4 and 5 of the will of Mimken[sic] L. Habben, written in Hancock County, Illinois on 12 September 1876 and admitted to probate in February of 1877.

This part of Mimka Habben's will discusses what is to happen to his real estate after the death of his wife, Antje. Ten acres on the east side of the 160 acres Mimka owns (the southeast quarter of section 21 in Prairie Township) was to go his son Johann. Based upon the current location of the home on the Habben property, built around 1900, and the location of the home as indicated on the 1874 Hancock County, Illinois, atlas, the intent of this devise was to give Johann the family home upon his mother's death.

Mimke Habben's farm in Prairie Township, section 21. Notice the "dot" for the home in the extreme southeast corner.

Mimke's will and the fact that Johann by 1900 (when his mother died) was living in another township on a farm of his own where he remained until his death, makes it clear that all deed records for this property after Mimke's will should be referenced.  I've seen some of the deeds before, but now that I've gone back and read the clause to Johann more closely, it appears that I need to see just what land record were executed on the property.

Of course, this is all the more necessary because I know that my great-great-grandfather John (Jann) Habben, lived on the farm from 1900 until my great-grandfather began farming it after John retired.

Stay tuned.