The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08
JOSEPH K. ENGLISH DEAD
HE HAD MUCH TO DO WITH BUILD
ING THE COURTHOUSE.
During His Long Life I'm This City
He Was Actively Identified with
Its Varied Interests.

Joseph King English, of 2721 College ave-
nue., died yesterday morning at 2:3O o'clock
after very short illness. He was the son
of King English and was born in Frederick
county. Maryland, in 1924. and came to this
city with his parents in September, 1880.
His father bought a farm which now is
partly covered by the Atlas engine works.
He was educated in the old Marion County
Seminary, which stood on the ground now
known as University Park. and of late
years had been one of the most conspicuous
persons that attended the reunions. Mr..
English worked for his father on the farm
until he was twenty-four years DID, when
he learned the painters trade under G. ID.
Stats, and after becoming thoroughly ac-
quainted with every branch of the trade,
started as a common painter on his own
hook. In 1852 he and his old instructor.
Mr.. Stats, formed a partnership which
was known as Stats & English, painters.
In 1850 the partnership was dissolved and
in 1861 Mr.. English was elected city treas
urer. which position he held for four years.
1t was during this time that he was sent
by Governor Morton to Gettysburg to look
after the sick and wounded Indiana SOL
dlers that were there in the hospital After
returning he purchased farm in Center
township on Fall creek and lived there I'M
til 1871, when he returned to the city and
became member of the firm of Berner,
English & Over, which engaged in the ma
chime and foundry business. In 1876 he
again took up the painters trade, which he
followed until his death, in partnership
with his son. Henry K. English. Mr.. Eng
lish was a Republican and at the time The
courthouse plans were first drawn he was
president of the Board of County Commits
sioners. His name may be seen on the
cornerstone of that building to-day. AS a
member of the Board of County Commits
Sioners he was very active and was the
moving spirit in the building of the iron
bridges in Marion county across White
river. He was elected to the City Council
in 1858 and served as a councilman for two
years. 1t was during this time that he
was chairman of the committee on fire de-
partment and it was mainly through his
influence that the old volunteer fire de-
partment, of which he had been a member
for years, was disbanded and a paid sys-
tenn installed in its place, which ranks to-
day as one of the best In the world He
had served the First English Lutheran
Church, of which he was a member, for
many years as deacon, trustee and elder.
He was charter member of Capitol Lodge
of the /. o. o. f. and had just recently
been presented with very handsome jewel
in commemoration of the fiftieth anniver-
sary of that lodges founding. Mr.. Eng
lsh was also a member of Hoosier Coun-
Gil of the Royal Arcanum and at one time
he was member OF Star Lodge, No. Z,
K. of p. In 1852 he was married to Elvira
Colestock. daughter of Henry Colestock,
one of the first pioneers to come to this
section of the country: Mrs. English was
born in Harrisburg, Pa, in 1881, and in
September of 1902 Mr. and Mrs. English cell
ebrated their golden wedding anniversary.
Thirty-five years ago Mr.. English built a
xir1lrr rnlra
in late years he became very widely known
there as an excellent fisherman. The life
of Mr.. English one of unusual activ-
ity and all during his career as city off,
cial he was known and widely respected as
a man who thought very deeply and who
acted for the welfare Of the city and its in
habitants. He leaves a widow and five chill
dren. Henry K, Frank c., Julia and Jo-
sephine English and Mrs. Frank Keegan.