Source: Sumner County Tennessee, Will Book Vol. 4, pages 488 - 491
I Francis Larue of Bremer County and State of Iowa being of sound memory and mind and of lawful age do hereby make, ordain and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills made by me.
First, It is my Will that my sons William Eli Larue and Joseph Reason Larue shall be the sole Executors of this my last will and testament and I hereby order and will that they and each without being required to give bond.
Secondly, It is my will that my said Executors shall pay all just and legal claims which may exist against me at the date of my death and all claims which may have been legally established against my estate.
Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Mrs. Clara Jane Mason, the sum of twenty five dollars, and in the event that said Clara Jane Mason shall have become a widow or shall for any cause changed her present name before the distribution of my estate as herein after directed, then it is my will that she shall receive from my estate a distributive share equal to one half the amount which may be received by either of my other daughter herein specified.
Fourthly, I give bequeath and devise my remaining estate, Real and personal and all money, rights and credits of which I may be seized or possessed of at the date of my death and including any sum or sums of money which may become due to my estate and be received by my executors, or either of them upon or by reason of any policy of Insurance upon my life in equal shares to my children, to wit; [page 489] Charlotte Ann Shepherd, William Eli Larue, Joseph Reason Larue, Idelia Belle Bingham, John Oscar Larue, Ernest Ai Larue, Francis May Larue,, provided, and I hereby direct that each of my said sons shall receive the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars in excess of the amount which shall be received by each of my said daughters.
Fifthly, It is my Will that if either of my said children at the date of my death shall owe me any sum of money which shall be evidenced by a promisory (sic) note or other instrument in writing such sum shall be deducted from the share of said devised.
Sixthly, It is my will and I hereby order that my Executors shall deliver to each of my daughters in person the amounts to which each of them shall be entitled to receive under the provisions of this will: and it is also declared to be my will that such shares shall be and remain the separate property of each devise and exempt from liability for the debts and contracts of their husbands.
Seventh, I hereby direct that my executors shall have full power to settle any and all claims which may be alleged against my estate upon such terms as they may deem advisable. I also hereby direct and empower my said Executors to sell any portion or all of the Real estate of which I may die seized within a reasonable time after my death and to distribute the proceeds of such sale among my before mentioned Legatees in accordance with the [pg 490] directions of this will but in all maters affecting my estate I direct my executors to make such disposition of the same as will secure the best interest of my legatees I also declare it to be my will and request that my Executors may have placed at my grave, a government soldiers tomb stone.
In testimony where of I have hereunto subscribed my name, this 21st. day of July A.D. 1885 and published and declared this instrument to be my last will and Testament .
Francis Larue
We the undersigned hereby testify that at Waverly in Brome County Iowa, on the 21st. day of July A. D. 1885 Francis Larue, signed his name to the above foregoing instrument and published and declared the same to be his last will and testament and we at his request and in his presence and the presence of each other have hereunto written our names as subscribing witnesses.
George W. Vantassell
Howard Richey
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court February Term Feby (sic)16th. 1891.
A paper writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Francis Larue deceased was
this day produced in open Court for probate and duly proven by the oaths of Howard Richey and
George W. Vantassell here filed the subscribing witnesses thereto when the same was ordered
recorded as the last Will and Testament of the said Francis Larue deceased. And, William Eli
Larue and Joseph Reason Larue being named in said will as the Executors thereof appearing in
open Court accepted the same [pg 491] and being excused in the Will from giving bond were duly
qualified as Executors aforesaid and Letters Testamentary ordered issued to them.
A true copy
Harris Brown Clerk