In every valid transfer of real property there must be a grantor competent to give and a grantee capable of taking. Every person of legal age and sound mind is competent to grant away any estate in land of which he may be the owner. All persons, both natural and artificial are capable of taking as grantees in the absence of statutory prohibitions. The statutory prohibitions upon the taking or holding of land, are confined in this country, to the cases of corporations and non-resident aliens.1