Homestead.

Homestead. By the Homestead Act of 1862 every citizen of the United States, native or natural- ised, who has reached the age of twenty-one years, or is the head of a family, is entitled to claim one-quarter section (160 acres) of any of the public lands that are surveyed and otherwise unappropriated. The sole condition attaching to what is virtually a gift from the government to the settler is five years' residence upon the property, something of course being done to improve it. A title is then granted by the general land office in Washington. Except in the case of non-payment of the moderate registration and other fees, the homestead is absolutely exempt from forced sale for debt; the object of this provision being to guard the interests of women and children. See PRE-EMPTION.