Any city of the fourth class in this state may become a body corporate under the provisions of this chapter, in the manner provided by law, under the name of “The city of ______”, and by that name shall have perpetual succession, may sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, defend and be defended in all courts of law and equity and in all actions whatever; may receive and hold property, both real and personal, within such city, and may purchase, receive and hold real estate within or without such city for the burial of the dead; and may purchase, hold, lease, sell or otherwise dispose of any property, real or personal, it now owns or may hereafter acquire; may receive bequests, gifts and donations of all kinds of property, and may have and hold one common seal, and may break, change or alter the same at pleasure, and all courts of this state shall take judicial notice thereof.