If it shall appear that any land within a district so incorporated has been conveyed by mortgage or deed of trust, the mortgagor or owner of the equity of redemption, or if any land shall be owned by a minor, his conservator, or if any land shall have been conveyed or devised to a trustee to be held by him for the use or benefit of another for a number of years or during the life of such other, the trustee, or if any land shall be held by any surviving spouse as a homestead, then the surviving spouse and adult heirs, shall be deemed and held to be the owner of such land within the meaning of this section.
§ 233.275, RSMo