Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897
[p. 29] a member of the firm of Knox & Morehead, the leading insurance agency of the city of New Castle, office located in the Pearson building, was born in the city of his present residence Oct. 31, 1863.
Our subject's great-grandfather, William Morehead, came from Westmoreland Co., Pa., and settled on a farm between New Castle and Mahoningtown where he spent his remaining years in rural content. His son James was one of the family which he brought with him. William Morehead died at the age of seventy- two years, preceding his wife, Elizabeth Barnett, several years. Seven daughters and three sons were born to them. James Morehead married Catherine Henderson, a native of Armstrong Co., Pa., and to them were given nine children, as follows: William; Joseph; Samuel: John; Hugh H.; Selinda (McCleary); James; Elizabeth (McKinley); and Harvey. James Morehead lived to the age of eighty-two years, and his wife to the age of sixty-six. In their religious beliefs and attachments, they strongly favored the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Morehead was a supporter of the Whig party. He lived on the homestead between New Castle and Mahoningtown, and carried on pursuits which were of an agricultural nature.
Hugh H. Morehead, our subject's father, was born on the old homestead July 8, 1814. He received a district school education and at the age of seventeen took up the trade of brick laying and plastering, and followed it a number of years, relinquishing it at last to engage with his brother Samuel in the leather business. They kept a store in New Castle until about the year 1864, drawing a large patronage their way during that time and being very successful financially; in that year the business was closed out, and since then our subject's father has lived a rather retired life. He was a Whig and is now a supporter of Republican candidates and Republican principles. He was joined at the altar, Jan. 26, 1841, to Rachel Falls, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Wilson) Falls of New Castle, and their union has resulted in the following family of children: Maria M. (Harbison); Sarah C. (Cunningham); Ellen B. (Bard); Eva (Long); Mary (White); Fannie, deceased; Lizzie D.; and Thomas F. they accept the teachings and precepts of the Presbyterian Church as their rule of life.
Our subject attended the High School of New Castle, finishing his education there, and then from 1876 to 1878 he was a clerk in W. H. McCandless' store. In 1880, he began to clerk for the insurance firm of Harbison & Knox, and remained with them in that capacity until 1896, acquitting himself honorably and usefully in every department of his work. In 1896 he secured the interests of Mr. Harbison, and the firm is now widely known as Knox & Morehead. They do the largest business in the insurance line of any firm in the city, representing as many as sixteen different companies. Mr. Morehead may be always counted on to help in furthering the election of Republican candidates and passage of Republican measures; although he is an active worker and extremely popular he has never accepted any office.
Mr. Morehead married Dorothy Taggart, daughter of John S. and Nancy J. Taggart, and they have two children—Rachel and Dorothy.
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
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