Carlson v. Wisconsin Land & Lumber Co.
Carlson v. Wisconsin Land & Lumber Co.
Opinion of the Court
Complainants, who are the widow and children, heirs at law, of Israel Carlson, deceased, filed their bill of complaint to quiet title in and to the northeast quarter of section 34, township 43 north, range 34 west, in Iron county. Defendant answered the bill of complaint, and an issue was joined. The cause was heard upon proofs taken in open court and
The facts in the case are: Israel Carlson, deceased, came to this country from Swéden and was married to complainant Ida C. Carlson in September, 1884. Prior to his marriage he had entered upon and done some clearing on this land and erected ■ a small log house. Immediately after marriage they moved into this house, which was located on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of the section of land above described, where they and the children born to them lived continuously to the time of the death of Israel Carlson, in 1908. The widow and children have continued in possession up to the present time, occupying this place as their home. During his lifetime Carlson cleared 25 acres of this description and made extensive and valuable improvements on it, and the widow and children since his decease have continued to make such improvements. These improvements are the house, two barns, fencing, fruit trees, clearing the land, and stumping part of the land, amounting altogether to $3,300. These premises were recognized, spoken of, and known in the vicinity as the Carlson land and home. This land was patented to George M. Wakefield on December 10, 1880, and the patent duly recorded. The defendant Wisconsin Land & Lumber Company appear to hold the record title to a portion of this land by mesne conveyances from George M. Wakefield, and on February 5, 1910, it obtained a quitclaim deed from R. C. Russell of an undivided one-sixth of the northeast quarter of section 34.
The sole question in the case is whether complainants are estopped from setting up this title by adverse possession against the defendant and from attacking the defendant’s title by reason of this land contract. The record shows that this 40 acres had been occupied continuously by this family as their homestead both before and after the death of Israel Carlson. It also appears undisputed that the statute had run before this contract with defendant was entered into.
Title, therefore, in Carlson and his wife had become vested, and the premises constituted their homestead. Mrs. Carlson did not join in this contract with
It is contended on the part of defendant that Mrs. Carlson acquiesced in this contract and should not now be permitted to repudiate it.
An examination of the record satisfies us that there was no such acquiescence by Mrs. Carlson and recognition of defendant’s title as would divest her and her children of these premises as their homestead, and upon the record the court would not be justified in holding complainants estopped from claiming title to these premises.
The decree of the circuit court is therefore affirmed, with costs of this court in favor of complainants.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- CARLSON v. WISCONSIN LAND & LUMBER CO.
- Status
- Published