Hello All, while searching on the internet tonight I ran across this, which
is listed in the public records on net of the Nat'l Archives. I thought it
was interesting and so I am passing it onto all of you.
Will of Henry Chamberlin Sustained
Verdict Upholds Land Bequest to Village Church.
A prolonged battle to break the will of Henry Chamberlain, wealthy
farmer of Rushmore, west of here, culminating in a bitter four-day
contest in Putnam county common pleas court, ended Thursday, with the
jury returning a verdict upholding the will, after a half hour's
deliberation.
The will contest was one of the most sensational in the history of
northwestern Ohio. An imposing array of legal talent was involved in
the case, and the verdict brings the second defeat for the son and
daughter of Chamberlain, who sought to render void the provision of the
will deeding forty acres of land to the Methodist church of Rushmore.
Chamberlain died about a year ago aged 91. His estate consisted of
101 acres of land and approximately $7,000 in personal property.
The son, Eliab, was bequeathed 22 acres of land, and $2,200. The
daughter, Mrs. Mary Beight, (ler), was deeded 39 acres of land, the
home farm buildings and $4,400. To the Methodist church of Rushmore,
of which he was a long-time member, the elder Chamberlain bequeathed
forty acres of land, without buildings thereon.
Suit was instituted a short time later by the son and daughter
against J.W. Harris, of Delphos, executor of the estate, and trustees
of the Methodist church at Rushmore asking that the will be put aside
on the grounds of undue influence and lack of testamentary capacity.
In the charge of undue influence, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Magill were named.
Representing the will contestants were Halfhill, Quail & Kirk of
Lima, and Bailey & Leisure of Ottawa. Councel for the executor and
church trustees were L. E. Ludwig of Lima and Lindemann & Lindenmann of
Delphos.
More than two score witnesses were called to testify during the
four-day session, among them leading business men and farmers of Allen,
Putnam and Van Wert counties.
Judge Eastman of Putnam county common pleas court, was the presiding
judge.
Chamberlain's will was of 1913 date, with a codicil of 1915. The
bequest was made to the Rushmore church on condition that his grave in
Carmen cemetery, near Gomer, be cared for. His wife who preceded him
in death, is also buried in the Carmen cemetery.
I'm not stuck, I'm ancesterally challenged!
Researching: Clough, Chamberlain, Gauthier, Buzzell, Baird, Gilligan
Rootsweb Email List Administrator for:
GAUTHIER-L, GILLIGAN-L, and CHAMBERLAIN-L(a)rootsweb.com