The following was taken from Wilhelmina's Last Will and Testament gotten at the Olmsted County History Center on April 14, 1999 from Probate file #1441.

Note: the handwriting is difficult to read so I will transcribe to the best of my ability and I will not correct their misspellings. (Sheri Franklin Wheeler)

I, Wilhelmina Schmidt of the town of Quincy, Olmsted County and State of Minnesota, being of sound mind and memory, and mindful of the uncertainties of human life do make, publish and declare this my Last Will and Testament in manner following:

First: After the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses I give, devise and bequeath to the Missionary Society of the Evangelical Association of North America the sum of three hundred dollars, of which sum one hundred dollars shall go to the Mission of Berlin German Conference of said association, one hundred dollars to the Missionary Society of the Minnesota Conference of said association fifty dollars to the Ebenezer Orphan Asylum of said Association located at Flat Rock, Seneca County, Ohio, and fifty dollars to the Japan Mission of said Association, to be applied according to the Constitution of the said Association and the receipt of the Treasurer shall be a sufficient discharge to my execution of the same.

Second: I give, devise and bequeath my daughter Minna, wife of August Peters the little house I had built in front of the house of August Peters, said house I occupied as my residence for the last eleven years.

Third: I give, devise and bequeath to my Grandson Reuben Schmidt, child of my son Julius Gustave Schmidt the sum of one hundred dollars, and said Reuben Schmidt shall be in equal share as mentioned below, with the rest of the heirs.

Fourth: All the rest, residue and remainder of all my Estate, both personal and real, shall be divided in eleven equal shares. One equal share to my son Frederic C. Schmidt, one equal share to my son Ferdinand C. Schmidt, one equal share to my son Carl August Schmidt, one equal share to my son August Carl Schmidt, one equal share to my daughter Amalia, wife of George Messerschmidt, one equal share to my daughter Augusta, wife of Christian H. Sidow, one equal share to my daughter Anna, wife of Gottlieb Goettel, one equal share to my Grandson Reuben Schmidt, child of my deceased son Julius Gustave Schmidt, one equal share to my daughter Ida, wife of August Trapp, one equal share to my daughter Minna, wife of August Peters.

Fifth: I hereby nominate and appoint my son Frederic C. Schmidt, and my son- in-law George Messerschmidt, the executors of this my last Will and Testament, and hereby authorize and empower them, the said Frederic C. Schmidt and George Messerschmidt to compound, compromise and settle any claims or demand which may be against or in favor of my said Estate.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of August 1896.

(she signed with an X) and she may have drawn the seal with a W inside.

The above instrument consisting of a double sheet of legal paper was signed published and declared by the said Testator to be her last will and testament in the presence of us who have signed our names at her request as witnesses in her presence and in presence of each other.

Joseph Bakler of Saint Charles Minn.
Christine Hain of Quincy Minn.
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Her undertaker was Reiderick and Neitz per the death register of Olmsted County. The chief cause of death was diabetes. It also says her birthday is October 15, 1820. I had her birth date as October 25, 1820 but I can't find my source for that date, so I will change it to October 15. Death record in book E, page 116, line 2.
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