Lee - Maurice J.
Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881)
MAURICE J. LEE, tile and brick-maker and farmer, Crawfordsville, was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, February 17, 1837. He is the son of Morris and Cecilia Jane (Runey) Lee, who were born in Ireland, his father emigrating about the year 1818, and locating in Philadelphia. His mother came later. They were married in Philadelphia in 1835. The subject of this sketch was their only child. About the year 1836 the parents moved to Frankfort, Kentucky. They were poor, and their only son was early inured to a life of toil, but attended school in Frankfort sufficiently to acquire the rudiments of an ordinary English education. At the age of nineteen his parents died. From that time for several years he worked with R. A. Brawner, of Frankfort, in his brick-yard. In 1862 he crossed to Indiana, and for awhile engaged in bridge-building with Harry Taylor, contractor and civil engineer, Salem. In 1863 he came to Crawfordsville, worked at brick-making two years, and in 1865 began the business for himself. This he has followed since, but in 1877 he added tile-making to his other pursuits, and is very largely the leading tile-manufacturer of Montgomery County. The first year he manufactured 50,000; the next season he increased his facilities, and his business has since constantly enlarged, the product amounting the last year to 325,000. This is convincing evidence of the value of this industry, and that as the importance of tile-draining becomes better understood, and the good results of the system are witnessed, those who depend for success immediately on the products of the soil are hastening to secure its benefits. It is reasonable to expect that it will not be many years hence until the wealth of Montgomery County will have doubled from this single source of improvement. Mr. Lee was married April 4, 1864, to Miss Margaret M. Keenan, of Frankfort, a lady of Scotch parentage. She died November 16, 1866, leaving an only son, Henry Keenan. January 25, 1870, Mr. Lee married Miss Catharine A. Crowe, daughter of Michael and Dorothea Crowe, of Crawfordsville. Her father was among the pioneers of the state and of Montgomery County, and superintended the construction of that part of the Wabash & Erie canal lying between La Fayette and Attica. He afterward was a farmer in this County. Three sons and one daughter are the fruit of Mr. Lee's second marriage. Walter J., Francis C., Helen C. and Morris. Mr. Lee is a democrat in politics. He resides at his country home, one and a half miles north of Crawfordsville, at the junction of the Crawfordsville and Concord and the Crawfordsville and New Richmond gravel roads, in an elegant brick dwelling convenient to his extensive tile factory and brick-yard. The farm comprises 112 acres of choice land. -- typed by kbz
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Source: 1878 Montgomery Co Indiana Atlas (Chicago: Beer, p 54)
Lee, M.J. PO Crawfordsville; Tile Manufacturer, son of MOrris & Cecelia Jane Lee, was b. in Frankfort, Ky Feb 17, 1837 and settled on Sec 30 of Union Twp 1863. He marr. Margaret M. KENNER in 1864; had one child, Henry K. Mrs. K. d. Nov 15, 1866. Second married July 25, 1869 to Alice C. CROW daughter of Michael & Dorothy Crow, who settled in this county about 1820. The children were: Walter J; Francis C and Catharine. Mr. Lee has been engaged in the manufacture of brick for 15 years and for two years past has turned his attention to the manufacture of a superior quality of tile, which is produced in diameter from 2 1/2 to 8". The factory is located one and a half miles north of the city of Crawfordsville. -- typed by kbz