Documented History
Jacob William Beyl Jr. was born 6 March 1876, per his Death Certificate. This is also confirmed by the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Card, 1917-1918.
JWBJ 1880 United States Federal Census
The 1880 United States Federal Census has Jacob living with his parents and sister at 228 Jackson Street, Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana in 1880. His father is listed as Jacob Beyl, his mother listed as Elizabeth. Jacob Jr. is listed as William and his sister listed as Mary.
Jacob Sr. was 32 years old at the time working as a Rail Road Laborer. He is marked as Maimed, crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled. He and his parents were born in France. Elizabeth is listed as 24 years old as a housekeeper. 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.
JWBJ 1900 US Federal Census
In 1900, Jacob Jr. lived with his parents and siblings still at 228 Jackson. Jacob Sr. was 53 years old working as a carpenter. He had been unemployed for 5 months of the year. Jacob Jr. was also working as a carpenter and unemployed for 6 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.
JWBJ 1900 US Federal Census
Jacob and Margaret’s grand-daughter, Helen M. Bond, was also living with them at the time. She was 11 months. Jacob Sr.’s birthday is listed as December 1846. Margaret’s was 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’s was June 1899. Jacob Sr. and his parents were born in France. Margaret’s parents were born in Germany.
JWBJ 1902 US City Directories 1822-1995
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.
JWBJ 1910 United States Federal Census
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 Confederate Army or Navy. He and his parents were from France. His wife, Margaret, was 53 years old working for a Poultry House, possibly with cheeses. Her parents were born in Germany.
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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 working as a Laborer in Furniture. Jacob and Margaret had been married for 38 years and had 7 children, 4 of which were still living.
JWBJ 1917 US City Directories 1822-1995
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, same as his brother John Edward. His mom, Margaret E. was listed as a widow.
Military
According to 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 6 March 1876. He was employed as a wood worker with Brantingham Company at East 5th Street, Columbus, Indiana.
JWBJ 1918 WWI Draft Registration Card
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.
JWBJ 1919 US City Directories 1822-1995
Jacob Jr. lived with his little brother, Grover T. in 1919, per U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. They lived at 1417 E. Tabor Street. Grover was a Laborer. Jacob Jr. was a carpenter.
JWBJ 1920 United States Federal Census
In 1920, Jacob Jr. lived with his little brother Grover T. at 1417 Labor St., 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.
JWBJ 1921 US City Directories 1822-1995
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.
Death
Jacob Jr. died on 8 November 1921 from a self-inflicted bullet wound of 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, 8 months old when he killed himself. He had been a wood worker. His father was listed as Jacob Beyl, born in France. His mother was Margaret Kern.
JWBJ 1922 Indiana Death Certificates 1899-2011
Jacob is resting at Garland Brook Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, per 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.
JWBJ 1921 Find A Grave
Well it looks like I have some additional hints to pursue for Jacob William Beyl Jr. It sounds like he lived a sad life 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’ll have to the surviving relatives. I can kind of relate to how Jacob Jr. may have felt back then, but I wouldn’t dream of taken myself away from the loved ones I do hold dear. I can only hope Jacob Jr. is in peace now. Check out Jacob’s Find A Grave memorial.
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As always, I will update this page as I find any further information on Jacob Jr. If you happen to have known him or about him, I would love for you to share your experience and knowledge. Don’t hesitate to leave your story in the comments section below.
Until next time,
~Kris
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JWBJ Family Tree
