Heirs of Hastings v. Dorrance

Tuley, J.:—

In 1843 Hiram Hastings purchased the E. % of lot 2, block ■5, frac. sec. 15, addition to Chicago, and occupied the same .as a homestead until the buildings thereon were destroyed by the big fire of 1871.

In the fall of 1875 he commenced the erection of the present building thereon, and before its completion occupied a portion of it for his homestead until his decease in the year 1880. Since then his widow has been and is now occupying "the same, claiming homestead rights therein.

In the superior court of Cook county, on the 12th day of •January, 1876, Edwin D. Messenger obtained a…