I stumbled upon a 1902 probate
on FamilySearch.org, one of which caught my eye, as I had some familiarity with
the surname of the deceased and her son-in-law from the locale. Louise Zittlau
died November 7, 1902 in Oelwein, Fayette County, Iowa and her estate was
executed by E. H. Freed. She was survived by five daughters, with only one that
had been unmarried at the time of her death. Probates can provide great detail
for genealogical purposes;
not only does Louise's probate give the names of all of her daughters, it also provides the real estate owned at the time of her death: "Lot Five (5) in Block Fourteen (14) Martin's Third Addition to Oelwein, Fayette County, Iowa, Except the East ten (10) feet of said Lot, said premises being the homestead of decedent during her lifetime.
not only does Louise's probate give the names of all of her daughters, it also provides the real estate owned at the time of her death: "Lot Five (5) in Block Fourteen (14) Martin's Third Addition to Oelwein, Fayette County, Iowa, Except the East ten (10) feet of said Lot, said premises being the homestead of decedent during her lifetime.
Further exploration could tell
us if the property was then acquired by one of her children or if it was sold
from her estate to a third party.
