Elisha Byars' Last Will and Testament:

"I, Elisha Byars, of Jefferson County, Illinois, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, publish and declare, this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

1. It is my will, that all of my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid as soon after  my death as it is convenient for my executor, hereinafter named to pay the same.

2. It is my will, that my wife, Sarah Byars, shall have and I hereby give and devise to her, out of my estate the equivalent of a widow's award, widow's thirds, Homestead, and Dower out of my estate, intending hereby to devise to her all the interests in my estate which she would take under the laws of the State of Illinois, as my widow in the event I should have died interstate.

3. It is my will that all the rest and residue of my estate after the payment of my aforesaid debts and funeral expenses and the said devise and bequests to my said wife, be sold and converted into money and the proceeds thereof, after the payment of the costs of administration, be equally divided among my children George F. Byars, Martin L. Byars, James O. Byars, Benjamin Byars, Everet Byars, Mattie French, Ella Myer, Effie Myers, and Luvenia Gregory, share and share alike. In the event that either of my said children shall die prior to my death or subsequent to my death and before the final settlement of my estate, the share of my estate herein devised to such child shall go and be paid to the children of such deceased child, share and share alike.

4. I hereby nominate and appoint my son George F. Byars, executor of this my will giving to him full power and authority to sell, all of my property both real and personal either at public or private sale, as he may deem for the best interest of my said estate, hereby giving to him full power and authority to make any and all deeds and conveyances necessary to give to the purchaser of any of my said lands title thereto, hereby authorizing my said executor to do any and all things that may be necessary to carry this will into effect. And I further request and direct that my said executor employ as his attorneys and legal advisors to assist him in the settlement of my estate and the execution of this will the firm of Creighton & Thomas, of Fairfield, Illinois.

Witness my hand and seal, this 22nd day of May A.D. 1920.

[Signature of Elisha Byars (Seal)]

Signed, sealed and declared and published by said testator, as and for his last will and testament,  in the presence of us, who, at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have  and hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses this 22nd day of May A.D. 1920.

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