Heckman's Estate

Opinion by

Me. Justice Schaffer,

Benjamin Heckman, a prosperous farmer, died leaving a will which provided: “I give, devise and bequeath to my wife, Annie Heckman, all of my real estate consisting of (4) four farms, three in St. Thomas Township and one in Peters, for the term of five (5) years. At the end of the five-year period or at my wife’s death, if she should die within the five years, I direct that these farms be sold to my sons or daughters, or both, if they can agree upon prices, and my wife consents, subject to dower for my wife, if living.” The will was written by a country justice…