This is from Treasures of the Past

Alexander Thompson Moorhead Jr

 

This is info on Alexander Thompson Moorhead Jr. b 23 Aug 1833, Moorhead homestead, White Township, Indiana Co., PA d 18 Oct 1912 Indiana, Indiana Co., PA b 21 Oct 1912 Oakland Cemetery, Indiana Co., PA m Mary Jane HUTCHISON b abt 1832 Conemaugh Twp., Indiana Co., PA d 26 Dec 1867, Indiana, Indiana Co., PA (Alexander and Mary Jane are my 2nd great grandparents) 2nd marriage Margaret Ann RANKIN b 28 Aug 1842, Speedy homestead, near Livermore, Conemaugh Twp., PA d 2 Apr 1923, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., PA buried Oakland Cemetery, Indiana Co., PA


Information taken from History of the Moorhead Family From The Latter Part of the Sixteenth Century to the Present Time Compiled and published by A.T. Moorhead, Indiana Co., PA August 23, 1901.

 Alexander Thompson Moorhead, son of Alexander Thompson and Mary Morrow McKee Moorhead, was born in White township, August 23, 1833. On the twenty-third day of March, 1854, he was married to Mary Jane Hutchison, of  Conemaugh township, Indiana county. To them were born the following children:  Howard Hutchison, Mary Morrow McKee, Charles Wills, Edgar Thompson, Jeannette, Frederick, Sara Dales and William Fulton. The mother died December 26, 1867. He married Mrs. Margaret A. Rankin, of Johnstown, PA, in Philadelphia, April 20, 1869. To them were born Albert Speedy, Martha Evangeline, Nancy Pearl, Alexander Ralph, Frank Edwin, Bessie Garnett and Hugh McKee.


In "Leslies' History of the Republican Party," 1900, we find the following concerning him: "When but a boy he was placed in the printing office of his grandfather "to learn the art of printing," serving a five years'  apprenticeship and then working some two years more as foreman in the office.  During the time he was serving his apprenticeship he was a member of the underground railroad, assisting many of the slaves to liberty. Leaving the printing office he turned his attention to the mercantile and lumber business, continuing in the same for a number of years. He then served as postmaster at Indiana two terms, holding commissions by President Hayes and President Arthur.   After the close of his last commission, in 1887, he purchased the Indiana Progress, a stalwart Republican organ, which he still continues to edit and publish, always supporting the nominees of his party. He is especially proud of his party record. Casting his first presidential vote for the "Pathfinder", John C. Fremont, he has never bolted or scratched the ticket of the regular party nominations. He has always taken an active part in the politics of the county and state, serving three terms as chairman of the Republican organization in Indiana county, frequently a delegate to the state conventions and at the present time is a member of the State Republican Committee. The  educational interests of Indiana county received much attention from him and he  served as a trustee of the State Normal School at Indiana a score of years. He has also held a number of positions in the municipal government of the city." While engaged in merchandising and shipping lumber, at Taylorsville, Green township, his property, consisting of dwelling, storeroom, wareroom and granary, with all their contents, was destroyed by fire on New Year's 1862. Homer City IS located on Rt. 119, not far from Indiana. It's still a thriving
community (1998).

Info taken from Indiana Register, Indiana Co., PA, Extracts 21 April 1869:

MARRIED.

--On the 20th inst., at the "Merchant's Hotel," Philadelphia, by Rev. Dr. J.L. Cooper, ALEXANDER T. MOORHEAD, JR., of this place, to MRS. MAGGIE A. RANKIN, of Johnstown.

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The following is an obituary obtained from Historial & Genealogical Society of Indiana Co., PA:

October 18, 1912

ALEXANDER THOMPSON MOORHEAD

A long and useful career came to a peaceful end Friday, October 18, when death called Mr. Alexander Thompson Moorhead, the senior editor of the Progress, and a widely known resident of the county. Stricken ill only a few hours before the end, death came as a great shock to his family and large circle of friends. He was in his usual health on the previous day and had remained at his desk during business hours. After retiring that evening he became ill, but his condition did not become alarming until the following morning. His death, which was due to neuralgia of the heart, occurred at 11:00 o'clock, a.m.

Mr. Moorhead was a life-long resident of the county and was a member of one of the oldest and widely known families residing in the vicinity of the county  seat. He was the son of the late Alexander Thompson Moorhead, Sr., and was born  August 23, 1833, on the old Moorhead homestead in White township, now owned by  M. H. Johnson. Later he learned the printing trade in the office of the Clarion of Freedom, which was published for several years in Indiana by his grandfather, James Moorhead, who was among the pioneer newspaper men of this section and who was a staunch advocate of antislavery.

After assuming manhood, Mr. Moorhead located at Taylorsville in Green township, where he conducted a general store for a number of years, returning in the early sixties to Indiana. For a number of years he was engaged in the mercantile and lumber business in Indiana. Later he was appointed postmaster at Indiana, serving terms under Presidents Hayes and Arthur.

When he became interested in public affairs he identified himself with the Republican party and was a staunch supporter of its principles all his life. He served as chairman of the Republican County Committee and labored for the success of the party of his choice during all his active years. He was much interested in the growth and development of his town and served as a member of the town council for several years and had been a member of the board of trustees of the Indiana Normal school for a long period.

After completing his last term as postmaster he purchased the Indiana Progress in 1887 and was engaged in newspaper work until the time of his death. During his newspaper life he labored to advance the moral tone of the community and every interest which would contribute to the uplift and development of the county, and the present success and growth of the Progress is largely due to the wise policies which he favored and advocated.

Early in life he united with the First Presbyterian church and during his busy life he never neglected his religious duties, and found great pleasure in advancing his Master's work. For almost thirty years he served as superintendent of the Sabbath school and for over half a century he has been actively connected with Sabbath school work. He has been a member of the board
of elders of the church for many years and at the time of his death was clerk of the session.

Gifted with a generous nature and liberal in all his views the deceased cultivated a large circle of friends both among the old and young, and the many kind expressions received by the afflicted family from those who have been touched by the influence of his beautiful character and are fitting tributes to his memory and give evidence that he lived a life that was not in vain.

He is survived by his widow and the following children: Howard H. Moorhead, of Everson; Mrs. W.L. Sanson, of Clarion; Mrs. D.K. Hill, of Leechburg; Mrs. C.R. Lininger, of Chicago; Mrs. H.M. Fair, of Uniontown; Mrs. John K. Brallier, of
Latrobe; Dr. Hugh M. Moorhead, of Erie; Albert S. Moorhead, A. Ralph Moorhead and Frank Moorhead, residing in town.

The funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Dr. J. Day Brownlee, at his home on North Seventh street on Monday afternoon, and interment followed in the Oakland cemetery.

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The following article was obtained thru Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana Co., PA and dated 2-13-11:
Litigation Between Boro. and Property Holder Cause Break in Sidewalk

NUMBER OF FALLS THERE

A.T. Moorhead, the senior editor of the Indiana "Progress," while coming from a meeting of the Normal trustees at the Normal school about 9:15 o'clock on Saturday evening fell just at the Church street corner of the R.A. Thompson property and sustained a bad fracture of the left thigh. John B. DeSantis, who was passing at the time, and Mrs. D.A. Hetrick, who saw Mr. Moorhead fall, went to his assistance. He was taken to Indiana hospital, where he will remain for treatment. The fracture was reduced and everything was done to relieve him. He is resting as well as be expected today.

Mr. Moorhead is in his 78th year and is the oldest man engaged in active newspaper work in Indiana county. He learned the printing business when a boy on the Indiana American and the Indiana Register, which is now published under the name of the Indiana Progress.

Mr. Moorhead served as postmaster here for eight years and was for some time engaged in the mercantile business at Taylorsville, this county. He has a host of friends who are sorry to learn of his misfortune.

A number of bad falls have occurred at that place the present winter. When the grade for Church street was changed some difficulty occurred between Mr. Thompson and the borough and the result is a very slippery bank from the end of the brick walk to the Church street level.

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The following notice was obtained thru Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana Co., PA dated 10-14-1912:

Funeral of the Late A.T. Moorhead

The funeral of the late Alexander T. Moorhead, will be held at the family home on N. Seventh street on Monday, Oct. 21 at 1:30, the service being conducted by the Rev. J. Day Brownlee, of the First U.P. church. death came as a severe shock to his host of friends.

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Information  from INDIANA COUNTY 175th Anniversary by Clarence D. Stephenson VOL IV pages 89-90. Source states Editor & publisher, Indiana Progress 1887-1912. Author, "Reminiscenses (of the Underground Railroad)..." (1899). Trustee, INS, over 30 yrs. and was instrumental in the founding of Taylorsville where he erected one of the first houses in 1854 and conducted a store and lumber business until 1866. He served as an elder of the U.P. Church of Indiana in 1873 and for many years thereafter. He was a stockholder in INS (1872) and served over 30 years on the board of trustees. Named to the general committee to plan for Indiana's Centennial July 4, 1876 celebration. Served as postmaster of Indiana 1877-85.