Last Will and Testament of Daniel Schmeck

I, Daniel Schmeck, of Muhlenberg Township, Berks County and State of Pennsylvania, do hereby make and publish and declare this instrument to be my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and declaring void any and all wills by me at any time heretofore made, and declaring this only to be my last Will and Testament.

1. I order and direct that immediately after my decease, my son J. Adam Schmeck, hereinafter named as one of my executors, shall take possession of my keys and of all my books and papers, and that he is to pay my funeral expenses as soon after my decease as practicable.
2. My son J. Adam shall have the privilege of taking the homestead farm, in Alsace Township, Berks Co, at an appraisement to be made by seven appraisers, one to be selected by each of my seven children, if he desires to do so. If my son, J. Adam Schmeck should elect to take the said farm at the valuation to be made as aforesaid, then I hereby authorize and empower the remaining executor, Albert H. Schmeck, to execute and deliver a deed in fee simple to the said J. Adam Schmeck, his heirs and assigns, for said homestead farm.
3. My son Albert H. Schmeck shall have the privilege of taking my farm in Amity Township, Berks County, on which he know resides, at an appraisement to be made by seven appraisers, one to be selected by each of my seven children, if he desires to do so. If my son Albert H. Schmeck should elect to take the said farm at the valuation to be made aforesaid, then I hereby authorize and empower the remaining executor, J. Adam Schmeck, to execute and deliver a deed in fee simple to the said Albert H. Schmeck, his heirs and assigns, for the said farm.
4. All the rest and residue of my estate, real, personal and mixed, is to be sold and converted into money by my hereinafter named executors. I hereby order and direct my said executors, or the survivor of them to sell all my real estate, except the two farms above mentioned, at public or private sale, within three years after my death, and I hereby authorize them, or the survivor of them, to execute a good and sufficient deed or deeds to the purchaser or purchasers thereof.
5. If my said sons, J. Adam and Albert H., or either of them should not desire to take the above described farms respectively at the appraisement as foresaid, then I order and direct my said executors, or the survivor of them, to sell either or both of the said farms which may not be accepted at such valuation, at public or private sale within three years after my death, I hereby authorize them or the survivor of them to execute a good and sufficient deed or deeds to the purchaser or purchasers of the said farm of farms.
6. When my estate shall have been converted into money as aforesaid, I give and bequeath the same unto my seven children, namely: J. Adam Schmeck, Albert H. Schmeck, Thomas H. Schmeck, Amanda Graeff, wife of B.F.Y. Graeff, Rosa H. Schmeck, Howard H. Schmeck and Milton H. Schmeck, in equal shares.
7. I nominate, constitute and appoint my sons J. Adam Schmeck and Albert H. Schmeck executors of this my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof, I, Daniel Schmeck, have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of April A.D. one thousand nine hundred and six.

Daniel Schmeck (seal)

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named testator Daniel Schmeck, as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who, at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereinto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Abraham H. Rothermel
David F. Mauger

Contributed by: Michelle.