v.
Alma Eksell, Andrew Eksell and M. C. Eksell
Defendant Andrew Eksell purchased a farm of forty acres in Webster county, Iowa, in May, 187 6, from one Morley. He immediately moved'upon the land, and occupied it as a homestead down to the time this action was commenced. In the year 1895 he sold the same to his daughter Alma, and her claim thereto will be considered during the course of this opinion. In 1878 defendant Andrew Eksell borrowed the sum of $90 from the plaintiff, and executed his note to him therefor. At the time of the purchase of the land Andrew Eksell executed a note for $150 to Morley, and secured it by a mortgage upon the premises. Thereafter this note was paid, and a new one was executed to the German Savings Bank of Davenport, Iowa. Certain minor transactions between plaintiff and Eksell were had, but the most of these were fully settled prior to the year 1883. In that year, however, Eksell solicited plaintiff for a loan of $200. At that time plaintiff was acting as agent for Magnusson, and he agreed to furnish the money to Eksell,. and did so, the note being given to Magnusson, with a mortgage to secure the same, executed by Eksell and his wife upon the forty acres of land purchased from Morley. This note is the one, which by its terms,^ matured December 17, 1888. After 1883 plaintiff, at Eksell’s request, paid the interest on the mortgage to the. German Savings Bank down until the year 1888, at which time Eksell again applied to him (plaintiff), for a loan sufficient to pay the last named mortgage promising to give a new mortgage on the farm covering his entire indebtedness to plaintiff. Pursuant thereto plaintiff paid the mortgage to the German Savings Bank, but defendant failed and neglected to make the mortgage. Thereafter [*466] the parties met, and had a settlement, which resulted in defendant’s giving to plaintiff two notes, one for $192 and the other for $300, each dated March 31, 1890, defendant Andrew Eksell and his wife both promising to make a mortgage on the farm to secure the same. The notes then held by plaintiff, including the one made to Magnusson, were turned over to defendants, and plaintiff promised to turn over the Magnusson mortgage as soon as the new mortgage was executed. These two notes, executed at the time of the settlement, were made payable to Magnusson, as was the original $200 note and mortgage given to secure the same about the time this original $200 note and mortgage matured. Magnusson turned'them over to the plaintiff, saying that he might have them, and that he should hold the plaintiff for Ihe amount of money furnished to defendant -Eksell. Thereafter plaintiff paid the amount thereof to Magnusson, and when plaintiff offered to turn over the two notes taken at the time of the settlement Magnusson refused to accept them, said he should hold plaintiff responsible for all sums he had furnished the defendant, and told plaintiff he could take the papers for himself. Eksell and his wile failed and refused to make the promised mortgage to secure the two notes taken at the time of the settlement, but in 1892 paid plaintiff $100 on the indebtedness represented thereby. In the year 1895 defendants Andrew and M. C. Eksell made a warranty deed for the land to their daughter and co-defendant, Alma Eksell, the expressed consideration for which was the sum of $1. This was evidently for the purpose of defeating the plaintiff in the collection of his judgment. Indeed, that such was its purpose was admitted by the defendant Andrew Eksell. In August of the year 1900 plaintiff obtained judgment on the two notes executed in the year 1890. As stated in the substituted petition on which the ease was tried, this action was brought to set aside the satisfaction of the German Savings Eank mortgage, for a decree subrogating plaintiff to the rights of said bank under the mortgage, and to foreclose the same. Also to foreclose the original $200 mortgage executed [*467] to Magnusson, which had been delivered by Magnusson to the plaintiff. Plaintiff claimed that his judgment included the amount of the note secured by this mortgage, and that the same had never been paid. The Magnusson mortgage for $200 was never recorded, and Almá Eksell claimed that when she purchased the land from her parents- she had n'o notice or knowledge thereof. At one time all the defendants claimed that the deed to Alma Eksell was. intended as a mortgage to secure to Alma payment for services rendered her parents. It was also pleaded by way of defense that plaintiff had no interest in or right to foreclose the Magnusson mortgage; that by taking his judgment in the year 1900 he waived whatever lien he may have had in virtue of that mortgage. The defendants each pleaded the homestead character of the land, an estoppel, and some other matters which are not regarded as controlling except as they may be referred to during the course of this opinion. The trial court rendered a decree foreclosing the Magnusson mortgage for the amount found due on the original $200 note which it was made to secure, after deducting payments made from time to time by the defendants, whether such payments were made on the particular indebtedness or not, declared the lien of the Magnusson mortgage superior to any claim of defendant Alma Eksell, and denied all further relief. Defendant appeal.
Something is said about the equities of the case. They do not seem to preponderate in favor of either party. Andrew Eksell was a poor manager. Eor years he depended upon plaintiff to furnish him money from time to time, in order that he might hold his land. Plaintiff borrowed the money from others, and took all chances on receiving it back. He carried defendant along from year to year, with the indebtedness constantly growing larger. He was finally compelled to take judgment, and is now enabled to secure but a part thereof. Alma Eksell did not arrive at her majority until (lie year 1895 or 1896. She was supported and cared for at home during a part of her minority, and was not entitled to compensation for her services. She took her deed in 1895 with knowledge of plaintiff’s mortgage. It is doubtful if any contract was made at any time to pay her for her services. She remained at home after the execution of the deed as a member of the family, and received support therefrom. She paid nothing for the land, and, as we have said, we think the deed was made to her by her father to defeat the claims of his creditors. That it did not and could not have that effect is immaterial' to the point now under discussion. Plaintiff gets but a paid of his debt, and defendants seem to have all they are entitled to.
The decree is right, and it is aeeirmed.