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.