Documented History
Maurice J. Mack was born in June 1868, according to the 1900 United States Federal Census.
1870 United States Federal Census
In 1870, according to the United States Federal Census for that year, “Morris” lived with his brother and parents in Indianapolis, Indiana. His parents were listed as Morris and Bridget Mack, ages 35 and 31 respectively.
1870 United States Federal Census – Maurice
Morris was a Laborer, Bridge a housekeeper. Both were born in Ireland. Morris was 2 years old and his brother, Michael, was 6.
The 1880 United States Federal Census lists a Moris Mack living at 11 Shadwick St., Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana in 1880. He was 12 years old which puts his birth year around 1868.
1880 United States Federal Census
His parents were listed as Moris and Bridget Mack. Moris Sr. was 43 years old at the time and Bridget was 42. The were both from Ireland, which matches Maurice J. Mack in later Census records.
1880 United States Federal Census – Maurice
Moris Sr. was a Laborer in 1880 and Bridget kept house. Moris’ Jr.’s siblings at the time were listed as Mickel, age 15, also a laborer and Magie, age 1. At 12 years old, Moris Jr. was attending school. Bridget was sick with fever at the time.
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Marriage
Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 has a record for Morris J Mack marrying Mary E Webber on 5 March 1889 at age 21 in Marion County, Indiana.
According to Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941, Katherine Amelia Mack was born on 7 February 1892.
1900 United States Federal Census
The 1900 United States Federal Census lists Maurice J Mack living with his wife and kids in a rented house at 519 Wilkins St., Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
He was 31 years old, born in June 1868, and worked as a butcher. His parents were born in Ireland, but he was born in Indiana. He had been married for 11 years to Mary L, 31 years old, born in June 1868 as well.
1900 United States Federal Census – Maurice
Mary was born in Indiana, her parents in Germany. Maurice and Mary had 5 children, 4 sons and 1 daughter, all living at the time. They were: Maurice T., age 10, born June 1889; Kate M., age 8, born February 1892; Robin, age 6, born October 1893; Harry W., age 4, born January 1896; and Frederick, age 1, born September 1898. All of the children were born in Indiana.
According to the 1910 Federal Census, Maurice and family had moved to a rented house at 2118 Terrace Ave., Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. His name was misspelled on the Census record as Morris.
1910 United States Federal Census
He was 41 years old and his parents were listed as being from Germany, which is contradictory to the 1900 Census that lists them being from Ireland. Also, his wife Mary’s parents were listed as being from Indiana here but from Germany in the 1900 Census.
After looking at the occupations and seeing that 2 year old Agnes was listed as working at a Barber Shop, I realized that the information was misaligned on the census record. The parent birth places on the line above Maurice listed Ireland.
1910 United States Federal Census – Maurice
Maurice and Mary were 41 years old at the time and had been married for 21 years. They had 9 children, 5 sons and 4 daughters, all living. The children were: Maurice Jr. (Morris), age 20; Kate, age 18; Robert, age 16; Harry, age 14; Freddie, age 11; Ethel, age 9; Ruth, age 7; Carl, age 4; and Agnes, age 2. Maurice Sr. was a butcher at the time, Maurice Jr. and Robert both worked at a factory as a laborer.
1913 – U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
The U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 has Morris J and Mary L Mack living at 1635 Cottage Ave., Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana in 1913.
1913 – U.S. City Directories
Death
According to the obituary for his wife, Mary, Maurice was killed in an explosion in an ammunition factory during World War I.
I haven’t actually found any death records or Find A Grave records for Maurice yet. Part of this may be due to the various spellings of his name.
The story of his death may have been passed down through each generation though, if you knew of him and have heard his story, I’d love it if you shared the details in the Comments section below so we can keep his story alive. As always, I’ll update this post as I find additional information for this ancestor.
Take care and hug your loved ones!
~Kris
Maurice’s Family Tree
