Record Book of Wills
in the County of Stoddard, Missouri
Book D Will 140

{This is a form page, the words written in italics are the handwritten words}

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

Bloomfield, Mo. August 3rd, 1915

In the Name of God, Amen, - I, Joseph G. Lewis, being of sound and disposing mind, make this my last Will and Testament:

First, - I desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate.

Second, - To Elmina L. Duff (wife of Wm. Duff), Mary Hough (wife of Louis Hough) and Simeon Vest Lewis, heirs of my son S.E. Lewis, deceased, I bequeath one Dollar ($1.00) each to be paid out of my personal property, if sufficient, or out of my real estate.

Third, - To Mamie Proffer (wife of Archie Proffer), W.G. Lewis and Joel Lewis heirs of my son Thomas R. Lewis, deceased, I bequeath one dollar ($1.00) each to be paid out of my personal property, if sufficient, or out of my real estate.

Fourth, - To Catherine House (wife of John House) and Nicie Menley (wife of Henry Menley), heirs of my son Joseph G. Lewis, Jr., deceased, I bequeath one dollar each to be paid out of my personal property, if sufficient, or out of my real estate.

Fifth, - To my sons, G.L. Lewis and J.C. Lewis I bequeath one dollar each to be paid out of my personal property if sufficient or out of my real estate.

Sixth, - To my daughter Elmina Lewis (wife of G.C. Lewis) I bequeath all the interest I have in a stock of general merchandise, known and designated under the business name of G.C. Lewis & Co., and located at Zadock, Stoddard County, Missouri, and to her I devise the following described real estate, to wit, Lot one in Block one, situated and being in the town of Zadock, Stoddard County, Missouri.

Seventh - To my daughter Louisa Cookson (wife of James C. Cookson) and my grand daughter Nicie Evelyn Hodge (wife of John L. Hodge) I devise and bequeath all the real estate I may own at my death and all my personal property not otherwise herein provided for, share and share alike.

I hereby appoint my son-in-law, G.C. Lewis, executor of this my last will and Testament, without bond.

In witness, I hereby sign my name in the presence of two witnesses, this the 3rd day of August, ...
Joseph G. Lewis

The above and foregoing was published by the said Joseph G. Lewis and declared by him to us to be his last will and testament; and we in his presence and at his request, and in the presence of each other hereunto sign our names as witnesses thereto and we further attest that at the time of {word covered} same the said Joseph G. Lewis was of sound and disposing /pg. 2/mind, Witness our signatures this the 3rd day of August, 1915.
Witnesses
Zelma King
Estel A. Humphrey

State of Missouri
County of Stoddard

On this 31st day of December, 1921, before the undersigned M. Walker Cooper, Judge of the Probate Court, personally appeared G.C. Lewis, who being duly sworn, says that to the best information and belief of affiant Joseph G. Lewis died testate at Cape Girardeau, Missouri on the 23rd day of December, 1921, leaving as his heirs at law Elmina L. Duff, grand daughter; Mary Hough, grand daughter; Simeon Vest Lewis, grand son; Marcie Proffer, grand daughter; W.G. Lewis, grand son; Joel Lewis, grandson; Catherine House, grand daughter; Nicie Menley, grand daughter; G.L. Lewis, son; S.C. Lewis, son; Elmina Lewis, daughter; Louisa Cookson, daughter; and Nicie Evelyn Hodge, grand daughter.
G.C. Lewis

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 31st day of December, 1921
M. Walker Cooper,
Judge of the Probate
/pg. 3/

PROOF OF WILL
STATE OF MISSOURI
County of- Stoddard In the- Probate -Court of Stoddard County, Missouri

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this - 31st -day of-December -, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and- Twenty-one, before me - M. Walker Cooper, Judge - of the-Probate -Court, held in and for - the County of Stoddard -and State of Missouri, personally appeared -Zelma King and Estel A. Humphrey - who being duly sworn upon - their -oath, depose- - and say- -that -they -w -ere - present and saw - Joseph G. Lewis - sign the foregoing instrument, of date -August 3rd - 19 -15 - purporting to be - - the Last Will and Testament of h -im - the said -Joseph G. Lewis - and heard - him -publish and declare the same to be h - is - Last Will and Testament, and that at the time of signing the same, the said - -was of sound and disposing mind, and that th - ese - deponent -s - attesting witness -es - subscribed their names thereto as witnesses to the same in the presence of the testat -or - and of each other, and at the request of the said testat -or - who was more than 21 years of age at the date of so declaring and signing said instrument.
Zelma King
Estel A. Humphrey

Sworn to and subscribed before me, -M. Walker Cooper, Judge -of the-Probate -Court, the day and year first aforesaid.
M. Walker Cooper,
Judge of Probate

CERTIFICATE OF PROBATE
STATE OF MISSOURI
County of-Stoddard -}In the-Probate -Court- of Stoddard County Missouri

I, - M. Walker Cooper, Judge - of the-Probate-Court-Stoddard -County, Missouri, having examined the foregoing instrument purporting to be - - the Last Will and Testament of -Joseph G. Lewis - deceased, and signed by said - Joseph G. Lewis - deceased, late of-Stoddard -County,- Missouri -and having heard the testimony of -Zelma King - and -Estel A. Humphrey - subscribing witnesses thereto, in relation to the execution of the same, do declare and adjudge said Instrument -is - the Last Will and Testament of said - Joseph G. Lewis - deceased, and the same is therefore - admitted to probate.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this -31st - day of -December - 19-21
M. Walker Cooper,
Judge of Probate
/pg. 4/

LETTERS TESTAMENTARY
STATE OF MISSOURI
County of-Stoddard

To all to Whom these Presents shall come--GREETING:
Know Ye, That the last will and testament of -Joseph G. Lewis - deceased, late of-Stoddard -County, Missouri, hath, in due form of law been exhibited, proved and recorded, in the office of the -Judge - of the Probate Court of-Stoddard -County, Missouri, a copy of which is hereunto annexed; and Inasmuch as it appears that -G.C. Lewis - ha -s - been appointed execut -or - in and by said Last Will and Testament, to execute the same, and to the end that the property of the said Testator may be preserved for those who shall appear to have a legal right or interest therein, and that the said Last Will and Testament may be executed according to the request and instruction of the said Testator, we do hereby authorize -him - the said -G.C. Lewis - as such Execut-or -, to collect and secure, all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits, which were of the said - Joseph G. Lewis - at the time of h -is - death, in whosoever hands or possession the same may be found; and to perform and fulfill all such duties as may be enjoined upon -him - by said Last Will and Testament, so far as there shall be property and the law charge -him - ; and in general to do and perform all other acts which are now or may be hereafter required of -him - by law.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I -M. Walker Cooper, Judge - of the Probate Court in and for said County, have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at office in-Bloomfield, Missouri-this - 31st - day of -December -, A.D. 19-21
M. Walker Cooper,
By- Judge -of said Court.

EXECUTOR'S BOND, or Bond of Administrator with Will Annexed.
No Bond Required



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