Grover Thomas Beyl

Documented History

Grover Thomas Beyl was born on July 25, 1891, according to Indiana Death Certificates, 1899-2011. However, all other records list his birth year as 1892.

In 1900, Grover lived with his parents and siblings at 228 Jackson Street, Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana, per the 1900 United States Federal Census. His father was Jacob Beyl, born in December 1846 in France, and he immigrated to the United States in 1852. His mother was Margaret E., born November 1855 in Indiana. Her parents were born in Germany.

Grover’s siblings were: Jacob W., born May 1876; Mary E., born August 1879; John E., born February 1887; and Lillie F., born January 1890. Jacob and Margaret’s granddaughter, Helen M., born June 1899, also lived with them. Both Jacobs worked as Carpenters at the time. Mary, Edward, and Grover were at school when the census was taken.

According to the 1910 United States Federal Census, Grover lived with his parents and brothers at 542 Jackson Street, Columbus, Indiana. His father, Jacob Beyl, was 63 years old at the time and not working. Jacob’s wife, Margaret, was 53 and worked as a poultry house cheeser.

Grover’s brothers were Jacob W., age 33, and Edward, age 23, who worked as Laborers at a liquor factory. Grover was a Laborer in the furniture industry.   Jacob Sr. and his parents were born in France; Margaret’s parents were born in Germany. Everybody else was born in Indiana.

In 1912, Grover lived at 916 Bates Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, according to U.S. records. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a machinist at the time. He lived with his brother Edward, who was a Packer. That neighborhood has since been demolished, and a parking lot now occupies the site of the house.

In 1915, Grover lived at 542 Jackson Street, Columbus, Indiana, according to U.S. records. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a Carpenter at the time with Emerson-Brantingham Co., as were his brothers, Edward and Jacob W., and Grover was living with their mother, Margaret E., who was a widow by this point. That house, along with the rest of the neighborhood, has since been torn down to make way for a parking garage and city buildings.

In 1917, Grover lived at 602 Woodlawn Avenue in Indianapolis, according to U.S. records. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a Packer at the time.

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Military

On 5 January 1917, Grover registered for the World War I Draft. At the time, he was 24 years old with gray eyes and brown hair. He was slender with a medium build. At the time, he lived at 1417 E. Tabor Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, and worked as an Order Picker with L.T. Hurst & Co. at 113 S. Penn Street. His birthday is listed as 24 July 1892.

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Marriage

Grover married Katherine Marie Mayer on March 10, 1917, in Marion County, Indiana, per the Indiana Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. His parents are listed as Margaret Elizabeth Kern and Jacob Beyl. His birthdate is listed as 1894 in Columbus, Indiana. He was 23 years old when he married.

In 1918, Grover lived at 1417 E. Tabor in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a Clerk at the time.

In 1919, Grover lived at 1417 E. Tabor in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a Laborer at the time.

Jacob William Jr. lived with Grover at the time. Jacob was a Carpenter.

In 1920, Grover lived at 1417 E. Tabor in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a Laborer at the time.

According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, Grover lived at 1417 Kelly Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife, Katherine, and their daughter, Elizabeth. Katherine was 22, Grover was 27, and Elizabeth was 1 year, 8 months old. Grover’s brother, Jacob, also lived with them. He was 43 years old. And Grover’s niece, Helen Smith, lived with them at the age of 20. Grover worked as a Laborer at a Machine Shop. Jacob worked as a Laborer at a Match Shop. And Helen was a Packer at a Bakery Company.

In 1921, Grover lived at 1424 Cruft in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a Laborer at the time.

Jacob William Jr. lived with Grover at the time. Jacob was also a Laborer.

Grover was a Laborer at the time.

In 1923, Grover lived at 1208 E Kelly in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a Laborer at the time.

In 1924, Grover lived at 1208 E Kelly in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a packer at the time.

In 1926, Grover lived at 1208 E Kelly in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a meat cutter at the time.

In 1929, Grover and Katherine lived at 1208 E Kelly Street in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a meat cutter at the time.

Grover and Katherine were listed in the newspaper as Pioneer Residents in 1929, and they were described as having a comfortable home at 1208 Kelly Street. They had been there six years, according to the article.

Grover lived with his wife and their two daughters, according to the 1930 United States Federal Census, at 1209 E. Kelly, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Grover owned the home valued at $3,000. He was 37 years old, and his wife, Katherine, was 32 years old at the time.

Their daughters, Elizabeth and Helen, were 11 and 9 years old, respectively, and both were in school. Grover was a Butcher at a Packing House at the time.

In 1931, Grover and Katherine lived at 1208 E. Kelly Street in Indianapolis, according to U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a Meat Cutter at the time.

In 1933, Grover and Katherine lived at 1208 E. Kelly Street in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a Laborer at the time.

According to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Grover T Beyl lived at 1208 E. Kelly, Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife Katherine M. in 1934. He was a butcher at the time. His brother and family lived nearby at 417 Parkway Avenue.

In 1935, Grover and Katherine lived at 1208 E. Kelly Street in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a butcher at the time for Hilgemeier & Bro Inc.

In 1936, Grover and Katherine lived at 1208 E. Kelly Street in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a butcher at the time.

In 1937, Grover and Katherine lived at 1208 E. Kelly Street in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Grover was a butcher at the time.

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Death

Grover passed away on August 25, 1938, according to Indiana Death Certificates, 1899-2011. At the time, he resided at 1208 Kelly Street, Beech Grove, Marion, Indiana. He died at St. Francis Hospital at 4:50 am of a Concussion of the Brain. Other notable contributory causes were fracture of the left clavicle and fracture of the right elbow. An autopsy was performed.

He had been in an auto accident on the highway on 22 August 1938, which resulted in the injuries noted. He was married to Katherine and worked as a Butcher at Helgemeiers. His parents were Jacob Beyl and Margaret Kern. The informant was his daughter, Helen.

Grover Thomas was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery on August 27, 1938, according to Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011 and US, Find A Grave, 1600s-Current. He rests in Section 74, Lot 750.  I requested a photo of his headstone from residents, and a Find A Grave contributor was kind enough to take a picture for me.

So that’s it for Grover Thomas.  As always, I will continue my research and will update this page as I find additional information about him.  I would love to tell more of his story.

~Kris