Stickney v. Goward

In 1889 William E. Stickney became a member of the Modern Woodmen, receiving a certificate under which his wife, plaintiff, was to receive $2,000 upon his death. The certificate remained in the possession of plaintiff until her husband’s death in January, 1920. A few years before his death, and while an inmate of the Minnesota Soldiers’ Home, there was issued to him another certificate, naming his and plaintiff’s three children beneficiaries instead of plaintiff. Both the widow and children presented proofs of death and demanded the insurance. Plaintiff brought suit against the insurer. By…