History

Every citizen should become familiar with the history of their community in order to better understand both the past growth patterns and the interesting facts and stories surrounding the area in which they live.

The recorded history of what is now Indiana County began before 1727 when James LeTort, of obvious French origin, set up a trading post for Indians at a site called “Tohogus.” This old Indian village, later to be called “LeTort’s Town” was located near the present community of Shelocta.

The first person to settle, or lay out a “tomahawk claim” as it was called, in Indiana County was George Findley who was said to have staked a squatter’s claim in what is now East Wheatfield Township about 1764. A “tomahawk claim” was made by cutting off strips of bark completely around a few trees near a landmark, thus deadening them and claiming rights to that area. The area of Findley’s claim was particularly attractive, being covered with dense grass instead of the usual dense forests. This area was subsequently called “the Wheatfields”.

Credit for being the first permanent settler in what is now White Township is given to Fergus Moorhead and company. In May, 1772, Fergus Moorhead, his family, and his two brothers, Samuel and Joseph Moorhead, along with James Kelly, James Thompson, and other friends left Franklin County, Pennsylvania. At the end of four weeks of rugged travel, the Moorhead party reached their destination, an area about one mile west of what is now the Borough of Indiana.

Shortly after establishing the settlement, Mrs. Moorhead gave birth to the first non-Indian child to be born in the County. The boy was named Fergus. Unfortunately, Mr. Moorhead had been captured by warring Seneca Indians and was being held captive during the time of his son’s birth.

It was reported that, during his Indian captivity, Moorhead asked one of the Indians who spoke some English why he was not scalped and finished off, as had been the fate of his less fortunate companion, soldier Andrew Simpson. The Indian, named Serehowand, replied that Moorhead had been shot at three times by the Indians and that the “Great Spirit” would not allow them to shoot at the same person more than three times. Subsequent to his captivity, Mr. Moorhead was sold to English authorities and, eventually, released to freedom.

After Moorhead’s release, he and his family, who had retreated from the county, returned to their settlement and erected a small fort, Fort Moorhead, to protect themselves and others who had located in the area. This fort, or blockhouse, was constructed in 1781 not far from the present day White’s Variety Store, as is noted by a commemorative plaque located along the road in this area.

The creation of Indiana County is unique in its development as one of the state’s 67 counties. It was not until 1803 that this area was subdivided from parts of Lycoming and Westmoreland Counties, and became Indiana County.

Over time, Indiana County was divided into thirty-eight political subdivisions, fourteen boroughs and twenty-four townships. White Township was formed in the year 1843 and included the land area surrounding Indiana Borough for a distance of approximately three miles. It was subdivided from portions of Center, Washington, Green, and Armstrong Townships and was named for Judge Thomas White.

In recent years, the township has experienced steady population growth, as illustrated by the following U.S. Census counts:

1950 – 5,340; 1960 – 6,884; 1970 – 8,769; 1980 – 13,177; 1990 – 13,788; 2000 - 14,034.

Some of the interesting people and events impacting the history of White Township are as follows:

1756 – During the French and Indian War, Lt. Colonel John Armstrong lead a military entourage to destroy the Delaware Indian village of Kittanning, located along the Allegheny River. This armed Indian village was used as a base of operation for many of the attacks against the people of the colonies. Armstrong’s expedition closely followed an Indian and trader path known as the Kittanning Trail, a portion of which went through White Township. On September 6, 1756, the troops camped at the location of the Two Licks in White Township before the attack at Kittanning. The significance of this military assault lies in the fact that it was the first successful English military thrust into the Ohio River Valley. Prior attacks by both General George Washington and General Braddock had failed to cause any retreat by the Indians or any rejection of their French allies.

1774 – In this year, Samuel Moorhead constructed a grist mill to grind grain along Stony Run. This mill was the first known commercial enterprise in the Township.

1790 (circa) – Some of the earliest schools in the county were located in White Township. One school was located three miles northeast of Indiana Borough on land owned by Robert Stephens. Another school erected before 1800 was located about two miles southwest of Indiana on the Meek Kelly farm. One of the early teachers was William Thompson, also recognized as one of the first county settlers.

1796 – Another early settler was George Trimble who established his second settlement in White Township in 1796 after having been driven away from the area seven years earlier by Indians. His son, Samuel, eventually served as county commissioner, county auditor, and justice of the peace.

1832 – In this year, the first physician born in White Township, Dr. Thomas Moorhead, began practicing medicine.

1844 – The first municipal election in White Township was held in the courthouse on March 15th, when the following officials were elected: Supervisors, James Hood and William Ewing; constable, Fergus Moorhead; judge, Philip Rice; school directors, James Hamilton, John Ryan, Samuel Lowery, George Dickie, George McCartney, James Hart; auditors, John Pilson and William Trimble; assessor, James Miller; overseers of the poor, James Moorhead, Conrad Rice, William Beck; and township clerk, Benjamin Dearmin.

1871 – Judge Thomas White’s fourth son, Harry, received his law degree from Princeton in 1854 and, during the Civil War, was instrumental in organizing the 67th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, for which he was commissioned as its Major. During the war, he was captured by the Confederate forces, released and, upon his discharge, was commissioned a Brigadier General by President Lincoln. While serving as State Senator (1865-1874), he framed and saw passed in 1871 the act which chartered the Indiana State Normal School, now Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

1914 – Although there were two private hospitals located in the area, in this year, the first public hospital was established at its present site along Hospital Road.