Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Wills Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/WhitesideWill/10012 Surname: FORWARD, RICHARDS, BAIRD, TEACH, BURNHAM, MATHIS, EAKLE, STILSON, HOPKINS ------------------------- William FORWARD was born 05 September 1834 in Cayuga County, NY, son of George FORWARD and Sarah CAGER. In 1855 he moved to Berrien Co., MI, and worked in a saw mill. There, in 1863, he married school teacher Arabella BURNHAM (b. 1841 in Allegany Co., NY). In 1867, they moved to Whiteside County, IL, near Prophetstown, where William took up farming. They had six children: Sarah Edith, Ruby Elena, Louise Minnie, Joseph Robert, Walter Burnham, and Neva May. William FORWARD died on 06 March 1912 and is buried in the Leon Methodist Cemetery. ______________________________ In the name of God, Amen. I William Forward of the town of Prophetstown in the County of Whiteside and State of Illinois of the age of Seventy four years, and being of sound mind and memory do publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner following to-wit: First: After the payment of all just claims against my estate, I give and bequeath all the property I die possessed of to my four children to wit Walter B. Forward, Neva M. Richards, Ruby E. Baird and Sarah Edith Teach share and share alike and whereas my property consists of Real Estate, this division herein ordered shall be made after said real estate is sold as hereinafter provided. Second: I nominate and appoint my son Walter B. Forward to be the Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. I hereby give my said son as such Executor full power to sell my said real estate to-wit the South half of the North East quarter Πof Section Thirty-five 35 in Township 19 Range 5 East of the P.M. in Whiteside County Illinois. And I direct my son Walter as such Executor to be as diligent in making such sale as is consistent with the best interest of my said legatees. And I further authorize my said son Walter as such Executor to make a good and sufficient deed of conveyance to the purchaser of such real estate. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of September, A. D. 1905. x William Forward (seal) ______________________________ The within instrument consisting of one sheet of legal copy paper was at the date thereof, signed sealed published and declared by the said Wm. Forward as and for his last will and testament in presence of us, who at his request and in his presence and the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto. x Wm. Mathis residing in Prophetstown Ill. x S. E. Eakle residing in Prophetstown Ill. ______________________________ State of Illinois, Whiteside County, ss. I, W. C. Stilson, County Clerk and Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing Last Will and Testament of the within named William Forward, deceased, was this day duly proven in open Court and admitted to probate herein and ordered to be filed and recorded in the record of Wills in and for said Whiteside County. Witness my hand and the seal of said Court at my office in Morrison, this 15th day of April, A. D. 1912 x W. C. Stilson, Clerk x M. W. Hopkins, Deputy