James Kennedy Moorhead (September 7, 1806 – March 6, 1884) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
James K. Moorhead was born in Halifax, Pennsylvania. He served an apprenticeship at the tanner’s trade, after which he became a canal contractor. He was superintendent and supervisor on the Juniata Canal in 1828, and projected and established the first passenger packet line on the Pennsylvania Canal in 1835.
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James Kennedy Moorhead (September 7, 1806 – March 6, 1884) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
James K. Moorhead was born in Halifax, Pennsylvania. He served an apprenticeship at the tanner’s trade, after which he became a canal contractor. He was superintendent and supervisor on the Juniata Canal in 1828, and projected and established the first passenger packet line on the Pennsylvania Canal in 1835.
In 1838 he was appointed adjutant general of Pennsylvania. He constructed the Monongahela Navigation Canal and was president of the company for twenty-one years. He was president of the Atlantic & Ohio Telegraph Co., which later became the Western Union Telegraph Company.
He was elected as a Republican to the 36th Congress and to the four succeeding Congresses. In congress he served as chairman to Committee on Manufactures during the 38th and 39th Congresses).
He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1868. He was a delegate to the...
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