Obits: Alexander Thompson Moorhead (1912), Indiana Co., Pennsylvania

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Karen Moorhead 
<moorhead1@netzero.net>

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October 18, 1912

                                 ALEXANDER THOMPSON MOORHEAD

A long and useful caree 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 E. 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 aternoon, and interment followed 
inthe Oakland Cemetery.