JOHN PHILO BEARDSLEY

John Philo Beardsley gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. August 14, 1920 in Chicago, Cook County, IL
M. WW II Army Veteran, February 5, 1944 – November 22, 1944; Corporal, 132 Infantry
D. March 31, 1969 in East Chicago, Lake County, IN
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Philo Henry B. Beardsley born about 1873 in Shelby, Oceana County, MI son of Philo Beardsley; married Florence M. Campbell on June 15, 1908 in Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI; Philo died March 18, 1927 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Chicago, Cook County, IL
  • Mother: Florence May (Campbell) (Beardsley) Busch born about 1892 in Muskegan County, MI daughter of George Campbell and Eliza (Crabtree) Campbell; married (1) Philo Henry B. Beardsley (1873-1927); married (2) William Busch.
  • Wife: Eleanor (Miller) Beardsley born January 31, 1922 in Chicago, Cook County, IL, daughter of Michael Miller (1894-1926) and Agnes (Schreiber) Miller; married John Philo Beardsley on August 1, 1944 in Cook County, IL; Eleanor died January 11, 2005 in Texas (Last residence: Columbus, Colorado, Texas)
  • Children:
    1. Sharon (Beardsley) Werpecinsky
    2. John Phillip Beardsley, Jr. born September 23, 1946 in Chicago, Cook County, IL
    3. Karen Eleanor Beardsley born August 2, 1960 in Chicago, Cook County, IL
  • Siblings:
    • Julia (Beardsley) Eckztrand born about 1910 in Michigan
    • Maybelle Beardsley born May 16, 1911 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; Maybelle died July 26, 1929 in Dixon, Lee County, IL, a patient at Dixon State Hospital; buried in Dixon Developmental Center Cemetery, Dixon, Lee County, IL
    • Martha Mary Beardsley born May 10, 1914 in Oceana County, MI; Martha died July 1, 1915 in Blue Lake Township, Muskegon County, MI; buried in Blue Lake Cemetery, Muskegon County, MI
    • Ernest Philo Henry Beardsley born June 29, 1918 in Chicago, Cook County, IL

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Ernest Henry Beardsley; Address: 5124 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, Cook County, Ill.; Telephone: Chicago Sup. 6908; Age in Years: 22; Date of Birth: June 29, 1918; Place of Birth: Chicago, Ill.; Country of Citizenship: U.S.A.; Name of Person Who Will Always Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Florence Busch; Relationship of That Person: Mother; Address of That Person: 5124 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, Cook County, Ill.; Employer’s Name: U.S. Govn. National Youth Administration; Place of Employment: 222 W. North Bank Drive; Race: White; Height: 5′ 8 1/2: Weight: 145; Eyes: Brown; Hair: Black; Complexion: Light; Other obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification: Paralysis on right side of face; Signed: Oct 16 – 1940”

  • Step Siblings (children of  William Busch and Florence (Campbell) (Beardsley) Busch:
    • William Thomas Busch born December 23, 1924 in South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN; married Alice Mae (Falby) Busch (1927-2001); William died October 26, 1973 in Hobart, Lake County, IN; buried in Oakland Memory Lanes, Dolton, Cook County, IL
    • Helen (Beardsley) Love

Additional Information:

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Harris Township, St. Joseph County, IN the household members were:

“William Busch, head, age 50, married first at age 21, born in Indiana, parents born in Indiana, occupation: farmer – general farming; Florence Busch, wife, , age 37, married first at age 16, born in Michigan, father born in Michigan, mother born in Illinois; William Busch, son, age 5, single, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Michigan; Ernest Busch (sic Beardsley), step son, age 12, single, born in Illinois, parents born in Michigan; John Busch (sic Beardsley), step son, age 10, single, born in Illinois, parents born in Michigan”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 5124 South Ashland Avenue, the household members were:

“Florence Busch, head, age 46, married, highest grade completed: 7, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: school helper – W.P.A. school project; Ernest Beardsley, son, age 21, single, highest grade completed: 7, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: laborer – C.C.C. grazing project; John Beardsley, son, age 19, single, highest grade completed: 8, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: truck driving – N.Y.A. project rehabilation; Thomas Busch, son, age 15, single, born in Indiana, lived in same place in 1935.”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: John P. Beardsley; Place of Residence: 5124 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, Cook County, Ill.; Mailing Address: same; Telephone: none, at home. Grovehill 1355; Age in Years: 24; Date of Birth: August 14, 1920; Place of Birth: Chicago, Ill. USA; Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Florence Busch, 5124 S. Ashland Ave. (Mother); Employer’s Name and Address: unemployed; Height: 5′ 8″; Weight: 199; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Black; Complexion: Light; Other obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification: Appendectomy scar; Signed: Nov. 24, 1944”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 5317 Marshfield, the household members were:

“John P Beardsley, Head, age 29, married, born in Illinois, Occupation: Truck Driver – Trucking; Elenore Beardsley, Wife, age 28, married, born in Illinois, Occupation: Gauger – Manufacturing Surgical Implements; Sheran Beardsley, Daughter, age 4, born in Illinois; Jack P. Beardsley, Son, age 3, born in Illinois”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Wednesday, April 2, 1969, page 32:

“BEARDSLEY – John P. Beardsley of Round Lake, Ill., beloved husband of Eleanor; dear father of Sharon Werpecinsky, John P. Jr., and Karen E.; loving grandfather of four; fond brother of Ernest, Thomas, Julia Eckztrand, and Helen Love.  Services Thursday, 10 a. m., at MacGillis Funeral Home, 350 Goodnow boulevard, Round Lake, Ill. Interment Fort Hill cemetery.  546-3300.”

According to the Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011:

“INDIANA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
HEALTH OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE OF DEATH

Deceased Name: John Beardsley; Sex: Male; Date of Death: March 31, 1969; Race: White: Age last Birthday: 48; Date of Birth: 8/14/1920; County of Death: Lake; Location of Death: East Chicago; Inside City Limits: Yes; Hospital: St. Catherine Hospital; State of Birth: Illinois; Citizen of What Country: U.S.A.; Married; Surviving Spouse: Eleanor Miller; Usual Occupation: Chauffer; Kind of business: Trucking Co.; Residence: State: Illinois; County: Lake; City: Round Lake; Inside City Limits: Yes; Street and Number: 113 Orchard; Father Name: Philo Beardsley; Mother – Maiden Name: Florence Campbell; Informant Name: Eleanor Beardsley; Relationship: Wife; Mailing Address: 113 Orchard, Round Lake, Ill.; Immediate Cause: Acute Cardiac Dilation; Burial Cemetery: Fort Hill Cemetery; Location: Round Lake, Ill.; Burial Date: 4/3/1969; Funeral Home: Burns Funeral Home; Address: 5840 Hohman Ave., Hammond, Ind.”

According to the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010:

“Name: John P Beardsley; Gender: Male; Birth Date: 14 Aug 1920; Death Date: 31 Mar 1969; SSN: 321127059; Enlistment Branch: ARMY; Enlistment Date: 5 Feb 1944; Discharge Date: 22 Nov 1944; Page number: 1”

According to the U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970:

“Name of Deceased: Beardsley, John P.; Service Number: 20 609 843; Enlistment Date; March 5, 1941; Discharge Date: Nov. 22, 1944; Grade or Rank: CPL.; Branch of Service: Army H 132nd Infantry; Date of Birth: August 14, 102-; Date of Death: March 31, 1969; Religious Emblem: Latin Cross; Check Type Required: Flat Bronze Marker; Name and Locations of Cemetery: Ft. Hill, Round Lake, Ill.;  Name of Applicant: Mrs. Eleanor Beardsley; Relationship: Wife; Address of Applicant: 113 Orchard St., Round Lake, Illinois 60073; Date: 6/26/69; Name of Consignee Who Will Transport Stone: Beuhler Memorials (Emil W. Buehler); Address of Consignee: 825 1/2 W Rollins Rd, Round Lake, Illinois 60073; Signed: 7-1-69; Signature: Bernard W. Vogt, Sexton”