Bibliographies: History of the Moorhead Family, Part 2, Indiana Co, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Karen Moorhead moorhead1@netzero.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ ALEXANDER THOMPSON MOORHEAD. Alexander Thompson Moorhead, the first child of James and Nancy Thompson Moorhead, was born June 1, 1800, on the farm near Homer City. At the early age of fourteen years, he drove his father's team of four horses to Philadelphia, carrying produce for the merchants of Indiana, and bringing back merchandise they had pur chased. It took about six weeks to make the trip. The public roads were not as they are now. This was before the pike from Kittanning to Philadelphia was built and the makers of those old driveways seemed to have but one object in view -- to keep on high ground. Instead of going around the hills, they crossed over them. It was laborious work for the driver, as well as for the horses. In making trips to Philadelphia, generally two or more teamsters traveled together and when they came to one of the long mountains would put all the teams to one wagon and pull it to the summit, and then return for another, until all were taken up. For this reason it was not an infrequent occurrence for them to stay at the same hotel two nights. But, severe as the labor was, they had their pleasures. Their own beds and feed troughs were carried with them. At night, the horses were not put into stables but were hitched to each side of the wagon tongue. After the teams had been cared for the evenings were spent in singing and story telling. They were happy, and enjoyed themselves. A song that all knew was "The Jolly Wagoners." The frequent singing of this song gave them the name of "Jolly Wagoners." A marked changed has taken place since that time. When the merchants went to Philadelphia to buy goods, they traveled on horseback, carrying their money in their "saddlebags." It was considered a dangerous trip. Many were the stories that were told of merchants robbed and murdered on the mountains. They generally arranged to travel in companies to defend themselves from the mountain marauders. Now, our merchants in Indiana can go to the phone, send in their order to Philadelphia or New York, and receive their goods the day following. Alexander Thompson Moorhead was married June 12, 1821, to Miss Mary Morrow McKee, daughter of James McKee, who was also one of the early settlers of Indiana county. At an early date, James McKee built a flouring mill, known as McKee's mill four miles north of Indiana, which was a great convenience to people in Indiana county and portions of Jefferson and Armstrong counties. There is still a mill at the same place, owned by Mr. McHenry. After their marriage they commenced life's journey on the banks of Crooked Creek, near Shelocta. Although the home was an humble one, in his diary he says, "I had more real joy and happiness in this modest home than I ever experienced in my after life." During the time they lived there the pike was built from Kittanning to Ebensburg, and their home became a storehouse for supplies. An addition was added and a hotel kept, at which many of the contractors and employes of the road boarded. Some time after this, he moved to the northeastern part of the county, to the place now known as Diamondville, where he erected a sawmill, which was carried on successfully for a number of years, and afterwards erected a flouring mill. Both mills were operated by water power from Twolick Creek. While residing at Diamondville a farm in what is now known as White township, two miles southwest of Indiana, now owned by the Charles K. Johnston heirs, was purchased. This farm was in its natural condition, covered with heavy tim ber, consisting of oak, chestnut, poplar, maple, etc., but, with his industry and push, it was soon one of the prettiest in the county. A brick dwelling was erected that was considered a fine mansion at that period. But his life was not exempt from sorrows, trials and disappointments. It was saddened by the death of his wife, May 31, 1836, and, on November 8 of the same year, his eldest son was killed in such a manner that it was a severe stroke to him. In this marriage there were born four children -- James McKee, Joseph McCloud, Nancy Ann and Alexander Thompson. On April 21, 1837, he married Jane H. Hart, who died January 27, 1858. In this union were born five children -- Mary Jane, Margaret Thomp son, John Calvin, a daughter, March 10, 1847, who died ten days after her birth, and Clara, March 29, 1850, who died one year later. On the Ninth day of November, 1859, he was married to Mrs. Nancy Wills, who died November 3, 1883. We are now coming to the close of a busy life. Alexander Thompson Moorhead performed well his part as a citizen and christian. Taking an active part in politics he was originally a Whig, and during the existence of that party was elected county commissioner and filled many other posi tions of honor and trust. Upon the formation of the Republican party, he became one of its supporters, being what would now be termed a stalwart Republican. But few christian men were more deeply attached to the church of his preference than he, although not sectarian in the common acceptance of the term, but with kind feelings toward all christian people, by whatever name they were known. He was a warm-hearted, hospitable gentleman who never seemed so happy as when entertaining friends, and had special enjoyment in attending all the meetings of the church in which he was specially interested. When residing on the farm in White Township, his home was known as the "preachers' headquarters." No effort seemed too great to make his guests happy, and the driv ing horses were always at their command. A man of strong will, when once an opinion was formed it would require convincing argu ments to change it. Physically, he was well devel oped and always enjoyed good health. A half hour before his death, to a son proffering to support him while he crossed the room, he said, "No, my son, don't do that; no one has ever had to support your father." He often said it was his desire, if agreeable to his Heavenly Father's will, to be called home without becoming a weak and helpless man. His wish was granted. He attended church and Sab bath school the Sabbath before his death. The end was peaceful and happy. To him death had no terrors. He patiently waited the message to call him home and while conversing with his son-in- law, Joseph B. Adair, the messenger came and his spirit soared away to his God who gave it, on the morning of the Eighth of September, 1884. His body was buried in the Oakland cemetery, there to mingle with the dust of those whom he loved and who preceded him to the spirit world. JAMES McKEE MOORHEAD. James McKee Moorhead, eldest son of Alex ander Thompson and Mary McKee Moorhead, was born near Shelocta, March 12, 1823. He was accidentally killed November 8, 1836, returning from an animal show at Indiana. With two of his comrades, they companions, who was riding a blind but spirited horse, came up to him, saying he would ride over him. None of the party thought he would do so, but, coming dangerously near, he made an effort to get away. The horse was suddenly turned and, rearing, struck the boy on the head, crushing his skull. He was gathered up unconscious and carried to the home of his uncle, William Moorhead, on Philadelphia street, where he died in a few hours. JOSEPH McCLOUD MOORHEAD. Joseph McCloud Moorhead, son of Alex ander Thompson and Mary Morrow McKee Moorhead, was born, August 21, 1827, at Dia mondville, Indiana county. He was married to Miss Margaret McFarland, of Jacksonville, Indiana county, November 2, 1848, locating in Indiana, and afterwards moved to the Moorhead farm, in White township, where he established a dairy, and furnished milk and ice. His was the first milk wagon on the streets of Indiana. During the time he was conducting the dairy, he read medicine under the direction of the late Dr. Thomas St. Clair. Some time later, he sold the dairy and engaged in the mercantile business in company with his father, in White township. In 1855, his dwelling house and its contents were burned, and he then moved to Taylorsville, Green township, where he associated with his brother in merchandising. He afterwards erected a steam tannery at that place. During these years, he still purposed to complete his medical course, and in 1867 attended the medical college at Cleveland, Ohio. He then practiced medicine at Ansonville, Clearfield county, and later, moved to Iowa, then to Missouri. He was a successful practitioner and was a man of genial disposition, attracting to him self the warm, personal friendship of all his associates. To Joseph McCloud and Margaret McFarland Moorhead were born seven children -- Wilson Augustus, Steele Lemoyne, Theodore Parker, Agnes May, Edith, Harry White and Frank Wilmore. Joseph McCloud Moorhead died at Avenue City, Missouri, May 7, 1884, and was buried at Guilford, Missouri. His widow died, May 14, 1896, at the home of her daughter, Agnes May Bishop, of Denver, Colorado, and was also buried at Guilford. WILSON AUGUSTUS MOORHEAD. Wilson Augustus Moorhead, son of Joseph McCloud and Margaret McFarland Moorhead, was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1849. He was married in Mattoon, Illinois, October 6, 1876, to Miss Alice Wood. He studied medicine with his father and after graduating at a medical college practiced at Nicholasville, Ken tucky; Cincinnati, Ohio, and New Castle, Wyo ming. To them were born two children -- Edward Wood, June, 1877, at Nicholasville, Kentucky; Edith, September, 1879, who died, April, 1891, and is buried at Cincinnati, Ohio. Wilson Augustus Moorhead died, at New Castle, Wyoming, April 26, 1896, and is buried there.