Jacob William Beyl Jr

Documented History

Jacob William Beyl Jr. was born on March 6, 1876, as per his Death Certificate. This is also confirmed by the U.S. World War I Draft Registration Card, 1917-1918.

The 1880 United States Federal Census lists Jacob living with his parents and sister at 228 Jackson Street, Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana. His father is listed as Jacob Beyl, and his mother is Elizabeth. Jacob Jr. is listed as William, and his sister is listed as Mary.

Jacob Sr. was 32 years old at the time, working as a Railroad Laborer. He is marked as Maimed, crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled. He and his parents were born in France. Elizabeth is listed as a housekeeper at 24 years old. She was born in Indiana; her parents were born in Germany. William was 4 years old at the time. His little sister Mary was 9 months old.

In 1900, Jacob Jr. lived with his parents and siblings still at 228 Jackson. Jacob Sr. was 53 years old and working as a carpenter. He had been unemployed for 5 months of the year. Jacob Jr. was also a carpenter and was unemployed for six months. He was 24 years old at the time. Margaret E. was 44 years old. Mary E. was 20, John E. was 13, Lillie F. was 10, and Thomas G. was 7.

Jacob and Margaret’s granddaughter, Helen M. Bond, lived with them then. She was 11 months old. Jacob Sr.’s birthday is listed as December 1846. Margaret was born in November 1855. They had been married for 29 years. Jacob Jr.’s birthday was listed as May 1876. Mary E. August 1879, John E. February 1887, Lillie F. January 1890, Thomas G. July 1892, and Helen was June 1899. Jacob Sr. and his parents were born in France. Margaret’s parents were born in Germany.

In 1902, per U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Jacob Jr. lived with his parents at 542 Jackson, Columbus, Indiana. Jacob Sr. is listed as a constable.

According to the 1910 United States Federal Census Report, Jacob Jr. still lived with his parents. They lived at 542 Jackson St, Columbus, Indiana. Jacob Sr. was 63 years old and not working. He is marked as a survivor of the Union of the Confederate Army or Navy. He and his parents were from France. His wife, Margaret, was 53 years old and worked for a Poultry House, possibly with cheese. Her parents were born in Germany.

Jacob Jr. was 33 years old, working as a Laborer at a Liquor Factory with his brother John Edward, who was 23 years old at the time. Their youngest brother, Grover T., was 17 years old and working as a Laborer in Furniture. Jacob and Margaret had been married for 38 years and had seven children, 4 of whom were still living.

In 1917, per U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Jacob Jr. lived with his mom at 542 Jackson, Columbus, Indiana. He was an Assembler with Emerson Brantingham Company, the same as his brother John Edward. His mom, Margaret E., was listed as a widow.

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Military

According to the U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Jacob Jr. registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana. He was 42 years old at the time, born on 6 March 1876. He was employed as a woodworker with Brantingham Company at East 5th Street, Columbus, Indiana.

He listed his mother, Margaret E. Beyl, as his closest relative. She lived at 602 Woodlawn Drive in Indianapolis. Jacob described himself as short with a medium build. His eyes were grey, and the color of his hair was mixed.

Jacob Jr. lived with his little brother, Grover T., in 1919, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. They lived at 1417 E. Tabor Street. Grover was a Laborer. Jacob Jr. was a carpenter.

In 1920, Jacob Jr. lived with his younger brother, Grover T., at 1417 Labor Street, in Center Township, Marion County, Indiana. Jacob Jr. was 43 years old at the time and working as a Laborer at Match Works. Grover is listed as head of household, renting the house.

He was 27 years old at the time, working as a Laborer at a Machine shop. His wife was Katherine, 22 years old. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was 1 year, 8 months old. Their niece, Helen Smith, was also living with them at the time. She was 20 years old and listed as married. She worked as a Packer at a Baking Company.

According to U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Jacob Jr. and Grover T. lived together in 1921 at 1424 Cruft Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. They were both laborers at the time.

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Death

Jacob Jr. died on 8 November 1921 from a self-inflicted bullet wound to the head, per Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011. He committed suicide. He was single at the time. His birthdate is listed on his death certificate as 6 March 1876. He was 45 years and 8 months old when he killed himself. He had been a woodworker. His father was listed as Jacob Beyl, born in France. His mother was Margaret Kern.

Jacob is resting at Garland Brook Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, according to the U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current. He was buried on 10 November 1921. An article in the Indianapolis Star, published 9 November 1921, stated that Jacob Jr. shot himself in the left breast first. That bullet passed through his body and hit his brother-in-law in the arm when he just happened to walk around the corner just in time to see the suicide attempt. Jacob Jr. then fired the fatal shot to his temple as his sister and brother-in-law watched from a window. He was reportedly lonely and unemployed, stating in 5 suicide notes that nobody liked him.

It appears that I have some additional information to pursue regarding Jacob William Beyl Jr. His life seems to have been particularly challenging, and so far, his story has touched me the most.  I wish we could go back in time sometimes and talk to our ancestors about their decisions and the impact they would have on their surviving relatives.  I can somewhat relate to how Jacob Jr. may have felt back then, but I wouldn’t dream of taking myself away from the loved ones I hold dear.  I can only hope Jacob Jr. is at peace now.  Check out Jacob’s Find A Grave memorial.

As always, I will update this page as I find any further information on Jacob Jr. If you happen to know him or have information about him, I would appreciate it if you could share your experience and knowledge.  Don’t hesitate to leave your story in the comments section below.

Until next time,

~Kris