Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Harper, Joseph 1836 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 9, 2007, 12:35 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

JOSEPH HARPER. The farming and agricultural interests of New Lenox Township 
recognize a worthy representative in Mr. Harper, who owns and occupies a well-
developed farm on section 12, where he has first-class buildings and all the 
other appurtenances of the well-regulated country estate. The hand of thrift 
and industry is apparent at all points, and presents a pleasant picture of the 
results of energy and perseverance. The Harper family is of English origin, 
and Thomas Harper, the father of our subject, was born in Westmoreland County, 
England, where he was reared to man's estate and was married. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Ann Wilson, was born in Lancashire, and the parents 
came to America in 1852. They settled in Lockport, Will County, Ill., but only 
sojourned there two months, removing then to Frankfort Township, where they 
lived five or six years. Their next removal was to New Lenox Township, this 
county, where the father selected land on section 12, and built up a permanent 
home. There he and his estimable wife spent the remainder of their lives, both 
dying in 1870. To the parents of our subject there was born a family of nine 
children, of whom Joseph was the sixth. His native place was Westmoreland 
County, England, and the date of his birth August 3, 1836. He emigrated to 
America with his parents and remained a member of the household until about 
the time of reaching his majority. His home since coming to this country has 
been mostly in Frankfort and New Lenox Townships, and he has uniformly 
followed farming pursuits. His property embraces one hundred and ninety-four 
and one-half acres of choice land, and the improvements which we now see upon 
it have arisen through the labors and good management of the proprietor. Mr. 
Harper was married April 15, 1862, at the bride's home in Frankfort Township, 
to Miss Isabella, daughter of Tilford and Lucy Ann (Owen) Duncan. The parents 
of Mrs. Harper were natives of Kentucky, whence they emigrated to Illinois 
about 1833, and located among the pioneers of Frankfort Township. There the 
father spent the remainder of his days engaged in farming pursuits, and died 
in November, 1860. The mother is still living. Their family consisted of 
eleven children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Harper, who was next to the 
eldest, was born in the town of Frankfort May 21, 1844, acquired her education 
in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until her marriage. 
Mr. and Mrs. Harper are the parents of three children. The eldest, a daughter, 
Delia J., is the wife of George W. Robinson, of Joliet. George W. and Warren 
T. still remain at home with their parents. Mr. Harper, politically, is a 
sound Republican, while he and his good wife are prominently connected with 
the Baptist Church, attending services at Mokena. They are people highly 
respected in their community, and have one of the pleasantest homes in the 
township. Their residence, both in exterior finish and inner decorations, is a 
beautiful one, and is represented by a view on another page.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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