Joseph K. English  

Joseph K. English. There is no class of businessmen who more surely rear up visible monuments to their industry and their enterprise than the painters of the slightly structures which become a landmark not only locally but also in the historical sense in all our great cities.

Among those who have for years devoted their attention to this line of work may be mentioned Joseph K. English, who was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1824, his father being King English, a native of the District of Columbia. The latter was reared in his native place and in Maryland and after reaching the age of sixteen years he made a permanent location in Maryland and turned his attention to tilling the soil, in pursuing which he met with reasonable success. He was a member of the militia and assisted in the defense of Baltimore when the British during the War of 1812 attacked it. In 1830 he came west and located on an eighty acre tract of land now bounded on the south by Seventh Street and on the west by the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, and all of which forms a part of the City of Indianapolis, and which at that time was covered with quite a heavy growth of timber. In the City of Indianapolis he died in 1864, when seventy-four years of age, having been a successful pioneer farmer. He was married in Frederick County, Maryland, to Miss Mary Brown who also died in Indianapolis in 1861, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were members of the English Lutheran Church and for many years the father was an elder in the same. He was first a Whig and then became a Republican in politics, but never aspired to public position, being content to pursue the even tenor of his way independent of the strive and turmoil of political life. Of the children born to himself and wife, the subject of this sketch is the only one now living, two members of the family having died in infancy.

Joseph K. English received his education in the Old Seminary and from the early days of his youth until he reached the age of twenty-four years worked on a farm. He learned his trade under G. D. Statts who was probably the oldest painter in the place, and after becoming familiar with every detail of the business he worked at it alone until 1852 when he formed a partnership with his old instructor and the firm of Statts & English continued until 1860.

He was elected City Treasurer in 1861, a position he held for four years during the war. At the end of that time he purchased a farm in Center Township on Fall Creek, on which he remained until 1871, when he returned to the city and engaged in the foundry and machine business as a member of the firm of Berner, English & Over and was associated with the last named gentleman until 1876 at which time he once more turned his attention to painting, in which business he was associated with his son, H. K. English.

Mr. English was married in 1852 to >Elvira , daughter of Henry Colestock, an old pioneer of the section and a stair builder by trade, some of his most important work being done on the Deaf and Dumb, the Blind and the Insane Asylums. Mrs. English was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1831, and has borne her husband five children: H. King and Frank C., who are painters by trade, and their daughters are Mrs. Frank Keegan, the wife of the druggist; Julia, a teacher in the public schools of the county, and Josie, who is still at home with her parents.

Mr. English and his family are members of the Lutheran Church and he has been an officer in and is now a charter member of the Capitol Lodge of the I.O.O.F., in which he passed all the chairs many years ago, and also belongs to the R. A. Politically he has, like his father affiliated with the Republican Party. While residing in the county in 1866 he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners, in which he held the position of President at the time of the Courthouse plans were made and built. He was an active member of that body and was a moving spirit in the building of the Iron bridges in Marion County across the White River. In 1858 and 1859 he was a member of the City Council, in fact, he has been a wide awake and pushing man of affairs, and is with reason ranked among the upright and useful citizens of the county in which he has so long made his home. For many years, in the earliest history of Indianapolis, Mr. English was a member of the volunteer fire department and President of the Marion Fire Company and of the Fire Association. While a member of the City Council he was Chairman of the committee on Fire Department which disbanded the volunteer department, and drafted the ordinance replacing it was a paid steam department which has become one of the best in the country. - - From: Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana

Joseph King English was born Dec 1824 Frederick County, Maryland Death: 1903 burial: DEC 9,1903 Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana , son of King English

Joseph K. English Dead

For Thirty-Five years He Spent His Summers at Lake Maxinkuckee

Jospeh K. ENglish died this morning at 2:20 o'clock at his home 2821 College acvenue, after a brief illness.

JOseph King English, son of King English, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1824.

He came with his parents to Indianapolis in September, 1830. He was reared on a farm the site of which is now in part covered by the Atlas Egine works.

He was educated in the old Marion county Seminary which occupied the ground now known as University Square. He learned the trade of house painter when twenty-four years old, and later sigh painting. From 1852 untill 1860 he was a partner with George D. STaats.


Mr. ENglish was elected city treasurer in 1861 and held he office for four years. In 1863 he was sent by Governor Morton to Gettysburg to look afer Indiana soldiers in the hospitals at that place. After his term as treasurer expired he bought a farm on Fall creek, Center towonship, where hi lived until, 1871, when he returned to the city, and was accosiated until 1875 as a member of the foundry and machine firm of Berner, English & Over, after which he returned to the painting business, in which he continued until his death, in partnership with his son H. K. English.

He was a member of the Board of County COmmissioners at the time the court house planse were made. In 1858 and 1859 he was a member of the City Council. In the old days of the volunteer fire department Mr. English was president of the Marion fire company. As chairman of the City COuncil Committtee on fire department he had much to do with disbanding the old volunteer department and drafting the ordinance replacing it with a paid department.

He was am member of the First English Lutheran church nearly all his life and had served as trustee, deacon, and elder in the church for many years. In his young manhhod he was noted for his active interest in Sunday school work.

He was a charter member of Capital Lodge, I.O.O.F., and recently received a handsome jewel commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the lodge.

In 1852 he was married to Miss Elvira Colestock, who survives him. In September, 1902 Mr. and Mrs. English celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding.

For more than thrity years the venerable pair spent their summers at Lake Maxinkuckee, where he was noted as a fisherman, and was conspicuous among the cottagers for his hospitality.

Besides his wifow he leaves five children - Henry K., Frank C., Julia and Josephine English and Mrs. Frank Keegan. - Indianapolis News Dec. 7. Dec 17 1903 - Citizen

He married in 1852 to Elvira Colestock, born 16 Aug 1831 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and died 26 Feb 1926 - Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana burial: FEB 9,1926 rown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana daughter of Hendrich Kohlstock ( Henry Colestock) and Rebecca Gill

Their children:

Henry King English Birth: 1853 Death: 1939 burial: SEP 13,1939 Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana Marriage 3 Nov 1875 Marion Co, IN Amanda Belle Sharts (18 Jul 1855 • Millersville, Marion Co, IN – 21 Jul 1924 2035 Broadway, Indianapolis, Marion Co, IN)

Frank C. English Birth: 1858 Death: 1914 burial: JUL 17,1914 Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Mary K English Birth abt 1864 Death: 1956 burial: MAR 15,1956 Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana married William Francis "Frank" Keegan, druggist Birth: 1860 Death: Sep. 13, 1922 burial: SEP 15,1922 Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
Funeral services for Frank Keeegan, 62 years old, for a third of a century a druggist in Indianapolis, who died Wednesday of heart disease at Charleston, Ill. will be held this afternoon at the home of Mrs. J. K. English, 2735 College avenue. The services will be in charge of the Rev. C. O. Weber, pastor of the Morovian Church and the Rev. Walter Johnston of Charleston, Ill. Burial will be in Crown Hill cemetery. Mr Keegan was born in Peru, Ind in 1860 and received his education in Peru and Bunker Hill (Ind) schools. His father was Peter Keegan of Bunker Hill. When Mr Keegan first came to Indianapolis in 1880 he was employed as a salesman in a drug store. The first drug store he owned was at Pine street and English avenue. Later he owned a store at Capitol avenue and Vermont street and for over twenty-six years he operated the Hyde Park pharmacy at Thirtieth and Illinois street. Surviving Mr. Keegan are his widow, Mrs. Mary Keegan, a daughter, Mrs. George Newman of Charleston, Il. a brother, Schuyler Keegan of Indianapolis and a sister, Mrs. Homer Reynolds of Marion, Ind


Julia T Engilsh Birth: 1868 Death: 1963 burial: MAR 2,1963 Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Josephine Ella (Josie) English Birth: 1871 Death: 1 951 burial: OCT 30,1951 Cemetery: Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

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Indianapolis City Directory, 1889. Indianapolis, IN: R.L. Polk and Co., 1889 & 1890.

Name: Joseph K English
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
Year: 1889
Business Name: Joseph K & H K English
Location 2: n end College avenue

Name: Joseph K English
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
Year: 1890
Business Name: J K & H K English
Location 2: n end college avenue

Year: 1860; Census Place: Indianapolis Ward 1, Marion, Indiana; Roll: M653_279; Page: 355
Name: Joseph K English
Age: 35
Birth Year: abt 1825
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Maryland
Home in 1860: Indianapolis Ward 1, Marion, Indiana
Post Office: Indianapolis
Family Number: 661
Value of Real Estate: View image
Household Members: Name Age
Joseph K English 35
Ella English 26
Henry K English 6
Frank C English 1
Anna Wetzelbaum 21

Year: 1870; Census Place: Center, Marion, Indiana; Roll: M593_337; Page: 327A
Name: Joseph English Age in 1870: 45
Birth Year: abt 1825
Birthplace: Maryland
Home in 1870: Center, Marion, Indiana
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Indianapolis
Value of Real Estate: View image
Household Members: Name Age
Joseph English 45
Elvira English 38
Henry English 17
Frank English 12
Julia English 2
Rebecca Colestock 72

Year: 1880; Census Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Roll: 294;
Name: J. K. English
Age: 52
Birth Year: abt 1828
Birthplace: Maryland
Home in 1880: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Elvira English
Father's Birthplace: Maryland
Mother's Birthplace: Maryland
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Painter
Cannot read/write:Blind:Deaf and Dumb:Otherwise disabled:Idiotic or insane:
Household Members: Name Age
J. K. English 52
Elvira English 48
Frank C. English 21
Mary K. English 17
Julia T. English 12
Josie E. English 8

Year: 1900; Census Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Roll: 387; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0034
Name: Joseph K English[Joseph R English]
Age: 75
Birth Date: Dec 1824
Birthplace: Maryland
Home in 1900: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Elvira English
Marriage Year: 1853
Years Married: 47
Father's Birthplace: District of Columbia
Mother's Birthplace: Maryland
Occupation: View on Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Joseph K English 75
Elvira English 68
Julia T English 31
Josie E English 28

Year: 1910; Census Place: Indianapolis Ward 2, Marion, Indiana; Roll: T624_366; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0050 Name: Eloisa English [Elvira English]
Age in 1910: 78
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1910: Indianapolis Ward 2, Marion, Indiana
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Maryland [Pennsylvania]
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Eloisa English 78
Julia T English 42
Josephine English 39

Year: 1920; Census Place: Indianapolis Ward 2, Marion, Indiana; Roll: T625_450; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 50 Name: Elvira English[Elvina English]
Age: 88
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1920: Indianapolis Ward 2, Marion, Indiana
House Number: 2735
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Widowed[Widow (Widowed)]
Father's Birthplace: Maryland
Mother's Birthplace: Maryland
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: None
Home Free or Mortgaged: Free
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Elvira English 88
Julia T English 51
Josephine English 48
Frank Keegan 59
Mary R Keegan 56

Year: 1930; Census Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Roll: 607; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0025 Name: Julia English
Birth Year: abt 1869
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Indiana
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Sister
Homemaker?: Yes
Home in 1930: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana
Map of Home: View Map
Street address: College
Ward of City: 2 part
Block: 38
House Number in Cities or Towns: 2735
Dwelling Number: 20
Family Number: 26
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Maryland
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Able to Speak English: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Josephine English 58
Julia English 61
Mary Keegan 66

Year: 1940; Census Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Roll: T627_1122; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 96-49 Name: Julia English
Age: 72
Estimated birth year: abt 1868
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Indiana
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana
Map of Home in 1940: View Map
Street: College Ave End
House Number: 2735
Inferred Residence in 1935: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana
Residence in 1935: Same Place
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 14B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 280
House Owned or Rented: Rented Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 4,500
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Income Other Sources: No
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Julia English 72
Josephine English 69
Lore Yant 43