This distinguished looking gentleman in a photograph from the Library of Congress is John H. Morehead (1861-1942), two-term Nebraska governor and multi-term U.S. representative, too.
Although he served Nebraska, the Hon. Mr. Morehead was a native of Lucas County, Iowa --- so we can claim him, too. He's one of two U.S. governors born here --- Nathan E. Kendall, Iowa's 23rd, was the other. Chariton's Leo Hoegh, Iowa governor in the mid-1950s, was born elsewhere and arrived in Lucas County as a young attorney.
Morehead was born during 1861 in the log cabin of his parents, Andrew and Frances Morehead, in Pleasant Township, Lucas County's most northeasterly. They are buried in the cemetery at Columbia, just across the county line in Marion. Raised and educated in Iowa, he headed west into Nebraska as a young man and the rest is history.
Here's his obituary from The Nemaha County Herald of June 4, 1942, which does a good job of telling his story:
+++
John H. Morehead, Falls City, one of Nebraska's most outstanding political and business men, passed away Sunday morning at 12:30 o'clock at the Missouri Methodist hospital at St. Joseph, Mo., following an illness of about two weeks duration at the age of 80 years.
The former governor and congressman died peacefully with his wife and son, Edwin, and Mrs. Edwin Morehead at his side.
The death of John H. Morehead brought to a close one of the most illustrious careers in the political and business history of the state.
The body was taken to the Morehead home on Tuesday afternoon, where it lay in state until the funeral services, which were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 at the Presbyterian church with Rev. A.O. Kaul officiating. Burial was made in the Steele cemetery.
Mr. Morehead was born on a farm in Lucas county, Iowa, December 3, 1861, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Morehead, early day settlers of that section of the Hawkeye state.
He attended the district school, walking two miles through rain, snow or under a burning sun to reach the little schoolhouse where he received his early education seated on slab benches fitted with pegs for support. There were no desks at that time.
After competing the course at the district school, whose terms ranged from four to six months, Mr. Morehead worked his way through a select school at Knoxville, Ia., remaining there until he was 17 when he matriculated at a business college at Shenandoah, Ia.
In the early 80s, Mr.. Morehead started westward, planning to locate in western Nebraska. He paused at Nemaha, Neb., for a brief visit with friends and as a result continued to live in the southeastern section of the state.
For several years, he worked as a farm hand in the summer and taught school in the fall and winter.
On February 17, 1885, he was married to Minnie Weisenrader, a native of Aspinwall, Nemaha county, Nebraska, the daughter of Edward and Minnie Weisenrader.
Following the wedding, the couple moved to Barada, in Richardson county, where Mr. Morehead started in the mercantile business on a small scale. His business began to show a profit almost immediately and he invested in farm land and then branched out into the handling to livestock, which also proved exceptionally remunerative. His land holdings totaled many acres.
His debut in politics was made shortly after his arrival in Richardson county when he was chosen as Barada's town clerk. He also served the town as treasurer. His first county office was that of county treasurer, his election coming on the democratic ticket in the fall of 1895. He was re-elected in 1897.
In 1889, Mr. Morehead became cashier of the First National bank and while holding that position served one term as Fall City's mayor.
State politics beckoned in 1910 and the Falls Cityan answered by filing as a candidate for state senator from the First district. He was successful. His colleagues named him president pro-tem of the Senate. Upon the death of the lieutenant governor in 1911, Mr. Morehead automatically took over the office in accordance with provisions of the state constitution.
In 1912, Mr. Morehead was chosen to serve his first term as governor. He was elected for a two-year term and his re-election, the first time for a democratic governor, for another two years followed in 1914. When the second term expired in 1916, Mr. Morehead was beseeched to run again. A petition bearing 20,000 names failed to make him change his mind.
Mr. Morehead was noted as a "budget balancer." His policy was to meddle as little as possible in private affairs and to fight consistently for economy. When he took the reins as governor for his first term, he found a large indebtedness which was paid off without increasing taxes. Then, during his second term, a substantial tax reduction was made and a balance left in all departments.
Mr. Morehead proved that he still was popular among the electorate when he was chosen congressman from the First district for a two-year term. Re-elections came in 1924, 1926, 1928, 1930 and 1932.
The Falls Cityan retired from politics in 1934, returning here from Washington and immediately becoming active in conducting his farming and real estate business on a wide scale.
Mr. Morehead was a member of Scottish Rite, Sesostris Shrine and the I.O.O.F. lodge. In 1940 he was chairman of the Nebraska delegation to the democratic national convention at Chicago and at his death was chairman of the Bryan Memorial committee which has raised funds for erecting a memorial at Lincoln to the late William Jennings Bryan.
Mr. Morehead is survived by his widow, one son, Edwin J. Morehead, and two sisters, Mrs. Vina Smith of Pasadena, Calif., and Mrs. Mary Duckworth of Casper, Wyo. Also surviving are three grandchildren, John, Kenneth and Carol Morehead. A daughter, Miss Dorothy Morehead, passed away in March 1920.
No comments:
Post a Comment