John Edward Beyl

Documented History

Viola Mildred‘s father was John Edward Beyl. John was born in Columbus, Indiana, on February 15, 1887, as per his Death Certificate. His parents were Jacob Beyl and Mary E. Kern. I was also able to confirm his birthdate on several historical documents, including the Federal Census records, the Indiana Select Marriages Index, the U.S. Social Security Death Index, and the U.S. World War I Draft Registration Card.

Although his first name wasn’t provided and the last name was misspelled, I did find a reference to his birth in the Bartholomew County, Indiana, Birth Records Index, 1882-1920, while reviewing the record for Mildred’s birth. It is incredibly frustrating, as a researcher, to discover the inaccuracy of many of these “official” records; no wonder there are so many mysteries.

At the time of the 1900 Federal Census, John lived with his parents and siblings at 228 Jackson, Columbus Township, Bartholomew County, Indiana. John was 13 years old. His parents were Jacob and Margaret E Beyl. Jacob was 53 years old at the time, born in December 1846. He and his parents were born in France.

Jacob immigrated to the United States from France in 1852 and had been in the Country for 42 years at the time of the Census. He was naturalized. He was a carpenter renting the house at the time.

Jacob’s wife, Margaret E, was 44 years old, born in November 1855 in Indiana. Her parents were born in Germany. Margaret had given birth to 7 children, 5 of whom were still alive at the time of the Census.

John’s older brother, Jacob W. Beyl, was 24 years old, born May 1876, and was also a Carpenter. Their sister, Mary E., was 20 years old, born in August 1879. John was at school when the Census was taken, along with his little sister and brother. Lillie F was 10 years old, born January 1890. Thomas was 7 years old, born in July 1892. Jacob and Margaret’s granddaughter, Hellen M. Bond, also lived with them and was 11 months old at the time, born in June 1899.

In 1910, John still lived with his parents, Jacob and Margaret, as well as his older brother, Jacob W., and younger brother, Grover T. Beyl. John was referred to as Edward on the Census record from this point forward.

At this time, they rented a house at 542 Jackson, Columbus Township, Bartholomew County, Indiana. Jacob Sr. was 63 years old and was no longer working. His wife, Margaret, a 53-year-old at the time, had been out of work for 22 weeks after previously working at a poultry house.

Jacob W. and John Edward were 33 and 23 years old, respectively. They were both laborers at a Liquor Factory. But John Edward had been out of work for 20 weeks. Grover T. was 17 years old and worked as a Furniture Laborer.

Marriage

John Edward married Edna Mae Applegate on 24 August 1911 in Marion County, Indiana, according to Indiana Marriage Index, 1800-1941 and Indiana Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. John was 24 years old at the time.

John and Edna had a baby girl on January 3, 1913, and another on February 17, 1914, according to the Bartholomew County, Indiana, Birth Records Index, 1882-1920. They named their firstborn Margaret L. and their second daughter Viola Mildred.

On 5 June 1917, John Edward registered for the World War I Draft. He lived at 540 Jackson, Columbus, Indiana, at the time. He worked as a Wood Assembler at Emerson-Brantingham Company in Columbus, Indiana. He had a wife and three children at the time, and he claimed exemption from the draft to support them. He was described as tall and slender with dark brown hair and blue eyes.

At the time of the 1920 Federal Census, John had moved to 848 Prospect Street, Center Township, Marion County, Indiana. He was 31 years old and worked as a Bakery Foreman. French was his native language. He lived with his wife, Edna, who was 25 years old. Their children were Margaret L., 6 years old; Mildred, 5 years old; and Charles, 3 years and 8 months old.

John and Edna had another baby girl on March 24, 1929, at Indiana Christian Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. They named her Mary Lou Beyl. At the time, John was 43 years old, and Edna was 33. They lived at 1329 Southeast Avenue. John was a Foreman, and Edna was a housewife. Mary Lou was born at 7:33 pm.

According to the 1930 Census Record, John Edward lived with his wife, Edna, and their children, Margaret, Mildred, Charles, and Mary Lou, at 1329 East Street, Center Township, Marion County, Indiana. John was 43, Edna was 35, Margaret was 17, Mildred was 16, Charles was 13, and Mary Lou was 1 year old. John was a Dispenser at a Bakery Company. Margaret was a Saleslady at a Dry Goods Retail Store.

In 1931, Edward and Edna lived at 329 S. Baet Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. He was a Warehouseman at the time. His baby brother, Grover T., lived at 208 E. Kelly with Katherine.

In 1933, John and Edna lived at 221 Naomi, Indianapolis, Indiana, according to the 1933 Indianapolis City Directory. John was a Baker at the time. Margaret and Mildred lived with them. His baby brother, Grover T., lived at 208 E. Kelly with Katherine.

At the time of the 1940 Federal Census, John and Edna lived at 1020 S. New Jersey Street, Center Township, Marion County, Indiana, with their children Charles, Mary Lou, and Frederick. John Edward was 53 years old, Edna was 45, Charles was 23, Mary Lou was 11, and Frederick was 5. John Edward was a Laborer in the Flood Prevention Industry. He made $453. Charles made $200 at school at NYA.

John registered for the World War II Draft when he was 55 years old. He still lived at 1020 S. New Jersey Street at the time and listed Charles Beyl as a person who would always know his address. He listed WFA as his Employer’s Name. The Employer’s Address was 19 W. South Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. Interesting that he wrote the wrong date for his birthday on this record.

Death

Edna Mae passed away and was buried at Garland Brook Cemetery in Lot Number 519, Section Number 15 on 11 March 1949. The Lot Interment Order lists her death on 8 March 1949. She was 53 years old. She rests next to her husband, John Edward Beyl. Findagrave lists her birthdate as December 1894. It lists her spouse as John Edward Beyl (1887-1966) and lists her children as Frederick E. Beyl (1934-2013).

John Edward Beyl passed away due to Septicemia on 30 September 1966, according to Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011. He was 79 years old at the time of his death and had been an Elevator Operator at U.S. Rubber Company. Frederick E. Beyl was the informant and lived at 3425 Georgetown Road, Indianapolis, Indiana. No autopsy was performed.

John was buried at Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus, Indiana, on 4 October 1966, next to his wife.  Check out his memorial at Find A Grave.

That’s all for now, I’ll check back regularly and update this page as I find additional information.

I’ll leave you with a common Genealogy phrase:

When we die we become ‘stories’ in the minds of other people.

Happy story finding!

~Kris