Lake Maxinkuckee Its Intrigue History & Genealogy Culver, Marshall, Indiana

James Beardsley  



James Beardsley, an immigrant from England, became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1858.

He was employed by the Terre Haute and Logansport Railroad, which would later become the Vandalia Railroad.

Beardsley was given the assignment to survey the land between Lake Maxinkuckee and Little Lake Maxinkuckee during the 1890's. As he walked the land, he discovered the beauty of the lake and its surroundings he was entranced by its beuaty it is said.

Knowing he wanted to spend more time in this spot, he leased a 25-by-25-foot plot of land on Little Lake Maxinkuckee, which allowed access to the big lake. Here he pitched a tent and began to enjoy leisurely vacations for several years.

Later, a large piece of was purchased for the building of a wooden shack. Being able to fish from the window was a great asset. The next step was to increase the size of his property by purchasing more land.


T his allowed him to build the log cabin in 1897 for his family to enjoy. The following year, a screened-in porch was added. The beds in the cabin were made of iron, and they were hinged on the walls with iron rods. They were let down at night and clipped back in place in the morning. Similar iron pieces were mounted on the windows and doors to secure the cabin when unoccupied. The old shack became the "cook shack."
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1912, Feb. 8 - James Green to J. Bardsley, lot in sec. 28, Union twp. $200.

At this time, Beardsley was living in Terre Haute with his family. His daughter's Florence and Harriet, would come to the lake with him during their summer vacations. There were many picnics under the trees, with their father being the chief cook.

Florence remained unmarried.

Harriet taught in Terre Haute, She married Sam E. Allen, a pharamacist from Akron, Ohio. He was a native of New York and was a graduate of the University of Michigan

As time went on and because of his love for this place, he requested his funeral service be conducted near his log cabin, and it was. His body was taken for burial to Akron, Ohio, by train.

The Beardsley cabin built over a century ago remained in the family for generations to come and is still standing tho showing the wear and tear of years gone by. Taking its toll on the old log cabin the weather has left it in a deteriorated condition with many a memory lingering there.

James Beardsley married [-?-]

They had:
    Florence Beardsley abt 1862 Ohio

    Harriet Beardsley a married Sam E. Allen abt 1849 New York

Harriet Beardsley a married Sam E. Allen abt 1849 New York

They had:
    David Bardsley Allen

    Sam Harper Allen November 23, 1903 died Sep 1978 , Marshall, Indiana ; married at Steubenville, Ohio on June 16, 1945 Gertrude Marty, born at Bridgeport, Ohio on June 6, 1909 to Randolph 'Rudy' and Sara (Bauer) Marty

    James Bill Birth 27 APR 1907 Death 14 JUL 1977, Marshall, Indiana; married 29 Jul 1939 Mary Eloise Church Birth 08 OCT 1910 in Columbus, Ohio Death 26 OCT 1999 in Johnson, Indiana daughter of Leroy Church & Nellie Mae Hawkins
Year: 1910; Census Place: Akron Ward 2, Summit, Ohio; Roll: T624_1233; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0125;
Household Members: Name Age
Samuel E Allen 61
Harriet E Allen 44
David B Allen 7
Samuel H Allen 6
James E Allen 2
Frank B Williams 26 Lodger
Frank Bowers 40 Lodger
Irving M Shively 37 Lodger
Year: 1920; Census Place: Akron Ward 2, Summit, Ohio; Roll: T625_1438; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 142
Household Members: Name Age
Samuel E Allen 71
Harriet E Allen 54
David B Allen 17
Sam Hesper Allen 16
James Bill Allen 12
Frank Bowers 51 Roomer

Robert E Stanley 21 Roomer
Walter C Platt 23 Roomer
William Platt 25 Roomer
Mary Fedarro 16 Companion
Florence Bardsley 58 Roomer
Year: 1930; Census Place: Akron, Summit, Ohio; Roll: 1875; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 31
Household Members: Name Age
Harriet E Allen 65 abt 1865 Indiana
David B Allen 26 abt 1904 Ohio
Sam H Allen 26 abt 1904 Ohio
J Bell Allen 22 abt 1908 Ohio
James Hines 35 roomer
James Kooklioff 20 roomer





This appears to be the family of James Beardsley:

Year: 1870; Census Place: Akron Ward 1, Summit, Ohio; Roll: M593_1270; Page: 16A
Household Members: Name Age James Bardsley 39
Sarah Ann Bardsley 39
Sarah J Bardsley 11
Flora Bardsley 2
Hattie Bardsley 6
John T Bardsley 1
Name: Sarah A. Beardsley Birth Date: 7 Aug 1829 Age at Death: 85 Death Date: 2 Feb 1915 Burial Place: Maple Lawn Cemetery Darrowville, Summit County, Ohio, USA Year: 1880; Census Place: Akron, Summit, Ohio; Roll: 1068; Family History Film: 1255068; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 160;
Household Members: Name Age
James Bardsley 47 abt 1833 England
Sarah Bardsley 47 abt 1833 England
Sadie F. Bardsley 21 abt 1859 Ohio
Florence Bardsley 18 abt 1862 Ohio
Hattie Bardsley 14 abt 1866 Indiana
John T. Bardsley 11 abt 1869 Ohio
Year: 1900; Census Place: Akron Ward 1, Summit, Ohio; Roll: 1323; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0056
Household Members: Name Age
James D Chandler 42
Sadie Chandler 42
Harriett Chandler 12
Samie Chandler 10
Ralph Chandler 9
Lloyd Chandler 4
Florence Bardsley 38 Sister in Law
Year: 1910; Census Place: Akron Ward 1, Summit, Ohio; Roll: T624_1233; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0124; FHL microfilm: 1375246
. Household Members: Name Age
James D Chandler 52
Sadie J Chandler 52
Lloyd G Chandler 13
Robert K Chandler 3
James Bardsley 72