Statewide County HI Archives Biographies.....Soper, John Harris November 17, 1846 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
J. Orr jessicanorr@gmail.com January 5, 2012, 3:51 pm

Source: The Story of Hawaii and Its Builders, Honolulu Star Bulletin, Ltd. Territory of Hawaii, 1925
Author: Edited by George F. Nellist

JOHN HARRIS SOPER, Soldier and Merchant. Romance and practical industry in 
unusual measure have entered into the dramatic career of General John Harris 
Soper. A conspicuous personality in the early history of the Territory and 
with almost half a century of service to Hawaii to his credit, General Soper 
is still actively engaged as a business leader of Honolulu.
  General Soper has been a figure in Hawaiian affairs since 1877, when, as a 
young man, he came from California to try his fortune in the “Sandwich 
Islands”. He first became manager of the Pioneer Mill at Lahaina, Maui, 
remaining there for one year, when he moved to Ookala, Hawaii, forming the 
company of Soper, Wright & Company, engaging in cane planting. The following 
year he became manager of Ookala plantation, remaining there until 1884.
  The year 1884 marked the beginning of the long and colorful period in which 
General Soper was closely associated with history making events. He was at 
that time appointed marshal of the Kingdom by King Kalakaua, holding the post 
until 1886 when he resigned to go into business in Honolulu, purchasing the J. 
M. Oat, Jr. & Co., stationery dealers.
  But King Kalakaua, growing restive in an atmosphere of feverish politics, 
again sought the general’s services and he was re-appointed marshal of the 
Kingdom in August, 1888. During this term General Soper took a leading part in 
suppressing the Wilcox rebellion of 1889, and was in command at Iolani Palace 
during the short period of strife. With order re-established, General Soper 
again resigned as marshal in 1890 and returned to his business interests.
  Then came the critical year of 1893. Queen Liliuokalani, on the throne in 
succession to King Kalakaua, who had died was determined to abrogate the 
constitution and rule as an autocrat. There was revolution and the Hawaiian 
monarchy, established a hundred years earlier by Kamehameha the Great, fell. 
It was a period of great danger. It was feared that Japan would proclaim a 
protectorate over the islands. The leaders of the revolution, who also 
organized the provisional government, called General Soper to duty as 
commander-in-chief of their military forces. Under his leadership American 
militiamen took possession of Iolani Palace; monarchy died and democracy was 
born in the Hawaiian Islands.
  In January, 1894, General Soper received a commission in the National Guard 
of Hawaii, having served until this time under President Sanford B. Dole as 
chief of staff. He continued in this office until April 2, 1097, when he was 
retired with the rank of brigadier-general by authorization of the War 
Department at Washington.
  During these years the business headed by General Soper had prospered. It 
was incorporated in 1891 as the Hawaiian News Co., Ltd., and a few years ago 
became the Hawaiian News & Thrums, Ltd., when General Soper and Thomas G. 
Thrum, pioneer Honolulu resident and merchant, merged their interests in one 
firm.
  General Soper, while still a child, was taken from England to America by his 
parents, who first settled in New York and later went to Illinois. He spent 
his youth in Illinois, going to California in 1861 and entering the office of 
Calvin Brown, civil engineer on Mare Island navy yard at Vallejo. Later he 
became interested in mining enterprises and in 1863 went to Nevada, where he 
spent several years. He was a rancher in Lake County, California, from 1871 to 
1877, when he came to Hawaii.
  Born at Plymouth, England, November 17, 1846, the son of Thomas Harris and 
Mary (Kipling) Soper, General Soper received his education in the schools of 
Illinois and at the model school of the Normal University at Bloomington in 
1861.
  He married Mary Wundenberg of Vallejo, September 11, 1871. They are the 
parents of five children, John Frederick Soper (deceased), William H. Soper, 
Josephine Mary Soper, Blanche Ethel (Soper) Rycroft, and Ruth Constance 
(Soper) Ziroli.
  General Soper is honorary vice-president, Societe des Sauveteurs du Dernier 
Adieu, and received the diploma and Croix Rosette in 1894. He is a Mason, past 
master of Hawaiian Lodge No. 21, F. & A.M. (1895), a member of the Masonic 
Veterans’ Association of Illinois (1895), has been a member of the Y.M.C.A. 
continuously for 40 years, belongs to the Honolulu Ad Club and is Republican 
in politics.


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