African American executive of the YMCA, trustee of Howard University, and collector of books relating to African Americans.
From the description of Papers, ca. 1790-ca. 1939. (Moorland-Spingarn Resource Center). WorldCat record id: 70938964
1863 Sept. 10
Born in Coldwater, Ohio; son of William and Nancy Jane Moorland. Completed preliminary education at Northwestern Normal University in Ada, Ohio. After teaching a few years, he entered Howard University.
1886 July 23
Married Lucy Corbin Woodson. They had no children.
1891
Graduated salutatorian from Howard University's Theological Department.
1891
1893
Worked as the General Secretary of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the YMCA.
1893
1896
Pastor of Howard Chanel in Nashville, Tennessee.
1896
1898
Pastor of Mount Zion Congregational Church, Cleveland, Ohio.
1891 Nov. 1
Appointed Secretary of the International Committee of the YMCA; worked closely with William A. Hunton, the first paid "colored" Secretary of the YMCA.
1906
Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree conferred by Howard University.
1907
1940
Served as member of the Howard University Board of Trustees.
1914
Donated over 3,000 books on Afro-Americans to Howard University. Dr. Moorland's collection became the nucleus for the Moorland Foundation, now known as the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
1916
Became the Senior Secretary of the Colored Men's Department of the YMCA at the death of William A. Hunton.
1923
Retired as an International Secretary after 25 years of service to the YMCA, but continued to work in an advisory capacity.
1924
Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree conferred by Oberlin, College, Oberlin, Ohio.
1939 March 20
Lucy Woodson Moorland died; buried in Washington, D.C.
1940
Dr. Moorland donated his personal papers to the then Moorland Foundation.
1940 Apr. 30
Dr. Moorland died; buried in Washington, D.C.
Source: The Jesse E. Moorland Papers, folders #123 and #124
1853
First YMCA for "colored" was organized in Washington, D.C. First President was Anthony Bowen.
1869
First "colored" college YMCA was organized at Howard University
1888
William A. Hunton appointed Secretary of colored" association at Norfolk, Va. HE! was the first salaried officer of any race for a "colored" association.
1890
International Committee appointed Mr. Hunton as an International Secretary for "colored" work. Served as Secretary to both student and city divisions in the Colored Men's Dept.
1891
1893
Jesse Moorland worked as the General Secretary of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of YMCA. Left: YMCA work to return to ministry full time.
1898
Jesse Moorland left the ministry to accept YMCA appointment as Secretary of International Committee.
1898
1914
Hunton and Moorland worked in a coordinated effort until the work load dictated specialization: Hunton responsible for student work; Moorland responsible for city work.
1914
Hunton became ill. Moorland takes charge of all YMCA "colored" work as Senior Secretary. A young Channing Tobias, a student Secretary appointed in 1911, later assigned Hunton'S student work.
1916
Hunton died.
Secretary Max Yergan started YMCA work in India. see #1230
After several months. Yergan accompanied a detachment of Indian troops to Dar-Es-Salaam, East Africa
1918
Yergan returned to U.S. after two years in East Africa.
1920
1936
Yergan, his wife and young child went to South Africa. Yergan was responsible for starting over 36 associations.
1921
1923
Dr. Moorland and Channing Tobias work together for several years.
1923
Dr. Moorland retired and Channing, Tobias became Senior Secretary for all "colored" work. Dr. Moorland continued to work with the YMCA in advisory capacity.
Source: The Jesse E. Moorland Papers, YMCA series.
From the guide to the Jesse Edward Moorland Papers, ca. 1790-ca. 1940, (Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University)