of Clinton County Iowa
In the name of God Amen.
I Gertrude Rosenberger of lawful age and of sound and disposing mind being a resident of Clinton City, Clinton County Iowa do make ordain publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.
After all my lawful debts are paid I –
1st give and bequeath to my oldest daughter Theckla Benjet(?) the sum of sixty dollars. Theckla Benjut(?) has received forty dollars from her father deceased.
2nd To my daughter Rosina Broniekaut (?) Two hundred dollars.
3rd To my son Otto Rosenberger the sum of three hundred dollars.
4th I direct that the sum of one hundred dollars be devoted for masses to be read for the repose of the Soul of my deceased Husband Michael Rosenberger.
5th I will and direct that one hundred dollars be expended for masses to be read for the repose of the soul of my deceased son Jacob Rosenberger.
5th* I will and direct that the sum of one hundred dollars be expended for reading masses for the repose of my own soul.
6th I will and direct that the Executor of this my last Will and Testament sell the real Estate of which I am possessed of to the best possible advantage at the public or private sale as he may deem best, and the said Executor is hereby authorized to make execute and deliver to the purchaser thereof a deed of conveyance without the intervention of any court.
7th From the proceeds of this sale all the above legacies are to be paid and discharged and the remainder shall be divided among my four above named children in equal shares .
I will and direct that all my personal property be equally divided among my four children any way they may deem best and agree upon. Except the Bed and Bedding in the front of second story of Rosina Bronnekant’s house shall belong to my daughter Rosina.
8th I hereby make the Rever. J. A. Schulte Pastor of the German Catholic St. Baniface Church in Lyons Iowa or his successor in office sole Executor of this my last will and testament.
Witness my hand this seventh {7} day of June, 1886.
Gertrude Rosenberger
The foregoing instrument was at the day of the date thereof signed and declared by the said Gertrude Rosenburger as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request and in her presence have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Joseph Rederer
Reinhold Streib
State of Iowa
Clinton County
I, William Kreim clerk of the District Court in and for said county do hereby certify that on this day at the April term A. D. 1887 of said court as and for the will and testament of the real and personal Estate of Gertrude Rosenberger late of said County deceased and was by said by said court to be recorded as such for the last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at my office in Clinton, in said county this 21th day of April A. D. 1887
William Kreim Clerk
By D. R. Markham Deputy
SEAL
* Transcribers notes – There are two #5’s listed in the will –this is not a typo.. Secondly in this will she mentions 4 children and divides her property among them, however if you look at item #5 – it says her son Jacob is deceased so it appears she has only three living children.