166 Ind. 451 | Ind. | 1906
—The controlling question presented for consideration in this case involves the construction of the sixth item of the last will and testament of Joseph Campbell, deceased. By the fifth item in his will the testator bequeathed to his wife a life estate. The sixth item reads as follows:
“At the death of my wife, I direct that all my real estate shall descend and go to my two sons, Louis E. Campbell and William A. Campbell, in equal proportions, each taking share and share alike, and if either of them shall be deceased leaving children surviving him then such child or children shall inherit all their father’s interest in my real estate, and in case of either of my sons being deceased and leaving no child or children living then the surviving son shall inherit all my real estate at the death of my wife.”
The testator died on July 29, 1881, leaving surviving him Marcia Campbell, his widow, and Louis E. Campbell and William A. Campbell, his only children and heirs at law. Appellees claim to own and hold in fee simple the land devised in said will to said sons, under and through their deeds of general warranty, in which their wives and said widow joined, executed after the death of said testator and the probate of said will. Afterwards said Louis E. Campbell died intestate in 1889, leaving surviving him a widow and children. Said son William A. Campbell died
There being no manifest intent to the contrary, it will be presumed that the clause providing that “at the death of my wife * * * all my real estate shall descend and go to my two sons, William A. Campbell and Louis E. Campbell,” relates to the beginning of the enjoyment of the remainder, and not to the vesting of that estate, and, that the clauses in regard to the decease of either of them leaving or not leaving children surviving him has reference to death during the lifetime of the testator.
Judgment affirmed.