Margaret Elizabeth Kern

Documented History

Margaret Elizabeth Kern was born on November 5, 1855, in Indiana, according to Find A Grave and Indiana Death Certificates, 1899-2011.

Marriage

Margaret married Jacob Beyl in 1871, per the 1900 United States Federal Census.

According to the 1880 United States Federal Census, Margaret Elizabeth lived with her husband and their two children at 228 Jackson Street, Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana. Her husband was Jacob Beyl, 32 years old, born in France, and worked as a railroad laborer. The census has his parents born in France as well and says Jacob was Maimed, crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled.

Margaret is listed as Elizabeth on the Census, so perhaps that’s what she went by. She was 24 years old at the time, and she was keeping house. Their son, William, is listed as 4 years old. Their daughter is listed as Mary. She was 9 months old and born in August of that Census year, making her birthdate August 1879.

In 1900, per the United States Federal Census, Margaret E. and Jacob still lived with their children and granddaughter at 228 Jackson Street, Columbus, Indiana. Margaret was 44 years old, and her birthday was November 1855 in Indiana. Her parents were born in Germany. She reportedly had seven children, but only five were still alive.

Jacob was 53 years old, born in December 1846 in France. His parents were also born in France. Jacob W. was born in May 1876, making him 24 years old when the census was taken. He and his father both worked as Carpenters. Mary E. was 20 years old, born in August 1879. John E. was 13 years old, born in February 1887. Lillie F. was 10 years old, born in 1890. Thomas G. was 7 years old, born in 1892. Their granddaughter, Hellen M., was 11 months old, born in June 1899.

According to Indiana Newspapers, Margaret provoked a fight with some colorful words and assaulted Pearl McCain sometime around October 18, 1901.

Margaret and Jacob lived at 542 Jackson Street, according to the 1907 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Jacob was a Carpenter at the time.

Margaret and Jacob lived at 542 Jackson Street, Columbus, Indiana, per the 1910 United States Federal Census. Jacob was 63 and not working. Margaret was 53 and working as a Chesser at a Poultry House. They had been married 38 years. Margaret had seven children, four of whom were still alive. Jacob W. was 33 years old, Edward was 23 years old, and Grover T. was 17 years old. Jacob W. and Edward worked as Laborers at a Liquor Factory. Grover was a Laborer in the Furniture Industry.

In 1915, Margaret lived at 542 Jackson Street, per the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. She was a widow at that point, as Jacob had passed away. Jacob Jr., as did Grover Thomas, lived with her then, and both were carpenters.

In 1917, Margaret still lived at 542 Jackson Street, per the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. She was a widow. Her son, Jacob Jr, still lived with her.

Death

According to Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Margaret Elizabeth passed away at 12:45 pm on 11 April 1919 due to chronic myocarditis. She had chronic nephritis listed as a contributory factor that she had been fighting for 2 months. Her father is listed as Andrew J Kern from Germany. Her mother’s name was not known.

According to FindAGrave, Margaret was born in November 1855 in Indiana. She died 14 April 1919 in Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana, and rests with her husband, Jacob Beyl (1846-1910), at Garland Brooks Cemetery in Section 15.

Their children were Jacob William Beyl (1876-1921), Mary Elizabeth Beyl (1879-1916), John Edward Beyl (1887-1966), Lillian Frances Beyl (1890-1953), and Grover Thomas Beyl (1892-1938). 

I am still looking for Margaret’s parents, who were born in Germany. Unfortunately, this is all the information I have for her at the moment. As always, I will update this page as I find additional information.

Talk soon,

~Kris