John  George Zeisz

I  John George Zeiz  of Shelby County Indiana do make and publish this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made.

First. I direct that after my decease my Body be decently intered, and my funeral conducted in a manner correponding[sic] with my estate.

Secondly. I direct that all my just debts and funeral expences[sic] be paid as soon after my death as the same can be drawn out of my money or property belonging to my estate.

Thirdly, I bequeath and devise all my property both real and personal, that shall remain or after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses, to my beloved Wife Mary Elizabeth Zeis to be held and enjoyed by her for and during her natural life -- .

Fourthly, Upon the death of my Wife, I devise to my daughter Barbara Zeis the sum of four hundred dollars, to be placed in the hands of her Guardian for her use and benefit, to be paid out of any money or property which may remain after the death of my Wife -- .

Fifthly, I devise the residue of my personal Estate to my three children Catharine Haehl Barbara Zeis, and Henrietta Rapp or to their legal heirs if they shall not survive my said Wife, to be equally devided between them

Sixthly, All my real estate which I own, I dispose of in the manner following, after the death of my Wife, viz. I devise and bequeath to my daughter Catharine Haehl and to her heirs, twenty seven acres off of the West side of the South West quarter of the North East quarter of section thirty (30) in township thirteen North of Range Eight East, in Shelby County Indiana.

I also devise and bequeath to my daughter Barbara Zeis the following portion of said real estate, viz. the South West quarter of the North East quarter of said section thirty in said Township and Range, except twenty seven acres off of the West side thereof (as above devied to Cathareine Haehl) and also the East half of the North East quarter of said Section thirty (as devised to Catharine Haehl) and also the East half of the North East Quarter of said Section thirty in said Township and Range excepting twenty seven acres off of the East side thereof --

And the residue of my real estate to wit, twenty seven acres off of the East side of the East half of the West half of the North West quarter of section twenty nine in said Township and Range after the death of my said Wife, I dispose of in the manner following, viz. The rents and profits of said tracts of land I devise and bequeath to my daughter Henrietta Rapp for and during the life of her husband George Rapp, or until she shall cease to be the wife of the said George and upon the death of the said George or upon her ceasing to be his wife, then I devise and bequeath said tract of land to said Henrietta to be held by her in fee simple, but if she shall not survive the said George Rapp and shall continue his wife until his death, then upon her death said tracts of land shall vest in fee simple in her children and in default of children her surviving, then said land shall best in fee simple in her said sisters and their legal representatives.

Seventhly, I hereby constitute and appoint my Wife the Guardian while she lives of my daughter Barbara while she can legally act as such and after that then a Guardian shall be appointed by the proper Court of said County to take charge of said Barbara and her property --.
Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint my daughter Catharine Haehl the Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. In witness shereof I have thereto set my hand and seal this 30th day of June 1859.

/s/ Johannes George Zeiss ~seal~

Signed sealed and declared by the said John George Zeis to be his last will and testament in the presence of us, who ar his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto in the presence of each other -- .

/s/ Cyrus Wright
/s/ Joseph Levinson

State of Indiana }
Shelby County   }
                            I Alonzo Blair Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, verify that the within last will of John George Zeis late of Shelby County Deceased, has been duly admitted to probate that its due execution made this day proven by Joseph Levinson who prooffs together with such will have been duly recorded on Pages 55, 56 & 57 of the Record of wills in my office

In testimony whereof I have
[ ? ] set my hand and affixed the
seal of the Court this 4th day of
March A.D. 1861
/s/ Alonzo Blair Clerk.

For further information on this family, please contact Jann Rapp Demeire

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