California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


ROBERT C. MOOREHEAD. At an early period in the development of Stanislaus county 
Mr. Moorehead became identified with its agricultural possibilities and has since accomplished 
much in promoting the development of its lands. The influence which he wields as an old settler 
is heightened by his successful prosecution of various departments of farm work. Through the 
exercise of constant industry and sagacious judgment he has converted an unattractive area into 
a valuable homestead, whose fertility is enhanced by irrigation from the canal. The place is situ- 
ated three and three-fourths miles southwest of Newman, and, with its improvements, stands as 
a monument to the owner's unwearied efforts, continued through many years. 

Remotely of English and Scotch descent, Mr. Moorehead represents a family long resident in 
America. His father, John, was the son of a Kentucky farmer, machinist and blacksmith, who 
proved as valiant in war as he was industrious in peace, and served with recognized faithfulness 
in the war of 1812. A native of Greenbrier county, W. Va., John Moorehead was a young 
man when in 1850 he resolved to seek a homestead among the undeveloped lands of what was 
then considered the far west. Establishing himself in Iowa, he improved a farm near Columbus 
City, Louisa county. Meanwhile the trend of emigration had drifted still further westward. 
The gold fields of California and Colorado had attracted thousands of Argonauts, who had set- 
tled permanently in the west. With a longing for larger results than could be achieved on his 
Iowa homestead, and impelled by the rumors of the wealth of the great gold fields of the west, 
he started across the plains in 1864, accompanied by his three sons, and using oxen and horses as 
motive power for the "prairie schooners." An experience of four years in Boise Basin mines 
and other camps proved less remunerative than hoped for, and he retired from the occupation, 
coming to California in 1868, and spending the balance of his life in this state. During his resi- 
dence in Iowa he served as justice of the peace, but in the west did not identify himself with local 
affairs. He had attained the age of eighty-four years when, in 1887, death came to him at the 
home of his son, Robert C, in Stanislaus county. His wife, Nancy (McVey) Moorehead, was born 
in Virginia and died in St. Louis while en route to Iowa. They were the parents of five sons. 
The eldest, Samuel A., a pioneer of 1862 in California, resides on the West Side in Stanislaus 
county. The second son, J. A., who came to California in 1863, now owns and occupies a farm 
in Tulare county. The third son, George W., came to California, but returned to Iowa, and 
died there in 1902. The other sons, W. T. and R. C, are farmers in Stanislaus county. 

In Greenbrier county. W. Va., Robert C. Moorehead was born July 15, 1846. While still a 
very small child he was taken to Iowa, and there received a district school education. With his 
father and two brothers he crossed the plains in 1864. After an experience of four years in the 
mines he came to San Francisco, and two weeks later proceeded to Eldorado county, thence going 
to Truckee, Nevada county, where he engaged in lumbering. When Stanislaus county was 
still an undeveloped region he became one of its pioneers, August of 1869 finding him a partner 
of his brother, Samuel A., in farming pursuits on the west side. After three years he disposed 
of his interests and then bought a farm adjoining his present property. The nucleus of the place. 
which he now owns became his about 1886, since which time he has added to it by purchase, until 
now his landed possessions aggregate two hundred acres. All of the improvements have been 
made under his personal supervision. Twenty acres are under the ditch and in alfalfa, while 
the remainder of the land is used for the raising of grain. Though he has not made a specialty 
of dairying, he owns twelve milk cows and finds his dairy interests no unimportant factor in the 
footing of each year's profits. Attention to details and untiring industry have brought him a 
large measure of success, while his fair dealings with all have retained for him the confidence of 
his associates. Fraternally he holds membership with the Knights of Pythias. In political mat- 
ters he votes the Democratic ticket, and has served as a delegate to county conventions of the party. 
Three children, Elvin J., Raleigh C, and Nellie May, were born of his marriage to Miss Jessie 
Johnson, who was born and reared in Merced county, this state, her father. Daniel B. Johnson, 
having come from Germany during the early settlement of the valley, where he became a well- 
known farmer and stockman.