Documented History
Maurice Grant Buchanan was born on 20 November 1883 according to his World War I Draft Registration Card.
In 1900, Maurice lived with his parents and siblings in Lawrence County, Demison, Illinois according to the Census. His parents were William Buchanan, age 50 born August 1849 and Lizzie age 43 born September 1856.
His siblings were Harrison age 10 born August 1889, Burton age 9 born May 1891, Purl age 6 born June 1893, and Mary F age 4 born November 1894.
Maurice was 16 years old at the time and the oldest sibling. The census record confirms he was born in November 1883. Lizzie was born in Missouri, everyone else was born in Illinois. William was a farmer and Maurice was a farm laborer at the time.
Maurice lived in Fayette County, Avena, Illinois with his wife Minnie P. in 1910 according to the Census. Maurice was 26 and Minnie was 19 at the time. Maurice was a Methodist Minister.
On 12 September 1918, Maurice was drafted for World War I according to U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. He lived in Posey County, Indiana at the time.
Maurice lived on Lafayette Street, Pike County, Patoka, Indiana in 1920 with his wife and children according to the Census. Maurice was 36 years old, his wife Pearl was 29.
Their oldest daughter, Versa was 9 years old. The twins, Charlie and Carlin were 7 years old and their youngest daughter Lois was 5 years old. Maurice was a Preacher at the time.
In 1930, Maurice lived in Martin County, Indiana with his wife and 3 of their kids. Maurice was 46 years old, Pearl was 39.
The twins, Charlie and Carlin were 17 and the youngest, Lois, was 15 years old. Maurice was a Methodist Pastor.
In 1931, Maurice lived at 1518 Arsenal Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana according to U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.
Maurice and Pearl lived at 1233 N. State Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana in 1934. Maurice was an insurance agent.
According to the 1940 Census, Maurice and Pearl lived in Sullivan, Indiana in 1935.
In 1940, Maurice and Pearl lived in Spencer County, Grandview, Indiana according to the Census. Maurice was 56 and Pearl was 48 years old. Maurice was a Preacher at the Grandview Rockport Parish working 30 hours and making $1100.
Maurice was drafted for World War II in 1942 according to U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942. At the time, he was 58 years old and lived at 2906 Kenwood Avenue, Grandview, Indiana with his wife.
In 1947, Maurice was an Arler in Indianapolis, Indiana according to U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.
Maurice and Pearl lived at 428 E. 49th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana in 1959 according to U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.
Death
Maurice died 8 September 1965 in Hamilton County, Indianapolis, Indiana according to U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current. His social security number was issued by Indiana.
According to Newspapers.com, Maurice was living at 1428 49th St. when he passed at University Heights Hospital. His widow was Trudy Buchanan, his second wife as well as his four children from his marriage to Pearl.
Maurice was 82 years old when he died. He was buried in Saint Francisville, Lawrence County, Illinois at the Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Maurice’s Find A Grave Memorial lists his parents as William Buchanan and Sarah Elizabeth Stiglet. He had one sibling, Harley Buchanan. Maurice and Pearl’s children were Versa, Philip, Charles, and Lois.
Aside from the information on this page, I was able to find a signed copy of the book Maurice wrote about the Buchanan family genealogy. At some point, I will be sharing the details of that book on this site, but I am still working on dissecting it for now.
If you knew Maurice or his family, I would love it if you’d share a few memories with us in the comments section below. I’ll take your comments and share them on this page, giving you credit of course, making sure that Maurice’ story lives on.
For now, take care and hug your loved ones!
~Kris
