Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Harper, Joseph 
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Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

Joseph Harper was for many years a worthy representative of the agricultural 
interests of New Lenox township, where he still owns the old homestead farm, 
comprising two hundred acres, situated on sections 12 and 13, but since 1898 
he has lived retired in Joliet, where he owns a nice home at No. 206 Sterling 
avenue. Mr. Harper was born in England, August 3, 1836, a son of Thomas and 
Anna (Wilson) Harper, both of whom were natives of that country, the former 
born January 1, 1795, while the latter was born in 1802. They were farming 
people and emigrated to the new world in 1852, taking passage at Liverpool on 
an old-time sailing vessel, the Esmoralda Landing in New York, the family at 
once made their way to Chicago, where they spent a few days and then came to 
Lockport, Will county, remaining there for only about six weeks, when they 
made their way to Frankfort township, near the town of Mokena. There the 
father engaged in agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1861, when he 
removed to New Lenox township, purchasing a farm on section 12, which is now 
owned by the son whose name introduces this sketch. There the father engaged 
in the development and improvement of his land and in due course of time 
placed the land under a high state of cultivation. He and his wife there spent 
their remaining days, both dying in 1870, the former when he had reached the 
age of seventy-five years, and the mother was sixty-eight years old at the 
time of her demise. The father gave his support to the principles of the 
republican party, while his wife held membership in the Baptist church. Their 
family numbered nine children but with the exception of our subject and his 
youngest sister all have passed away, these being: Robert B., who died one 
year after coming to America; John, who died in England; Thomas, who died in 
1870; James, whose death occurred in 1892; Jeremiah, who served in the Civil 
war as a member of Company C, One Hundredth Illinois Regiment, under command 
of Dr. Bacon, and who died in Kentucky in 1862; Sarah and Anna, both deceased. 
The youngest daughter, Mary, is the widow of Malcolm Muir and makes her home 
in Smithboro, Bond county, this state. Joseph Harper, the fourth member of his 
father's family, acquired his education in England prior to the emigration of 
the family to the new world, he being a youth of fifteen years when he left 
his native land. He remained with his father, assisting him in his farm labor 
until he had attained the age of twenty years, when he began life on his own 
account by renting a farm for one year in New Lenox township, and then rented 
the old homestead farm of his father, while later he bought the property, 
adding many substantial and modern improvements to the place. He continued the 
work of development and improvement which had been instituted by his father, 
and continued his residence thereon until the spring of 1898, when, deciding 
to retire from active business life, he removed to Joliet, where he owns a 
comfortable and attractive residence at No. 206 Sterling avenue. He now leases 
his farm, which brings to him a good annual rental, so that he is now enabled 
to spend the evening of his days in well earned rest. The marriage of Mr. 
Harper occurred in 1862, when, on the 15th of April of that year, he wedded 
Miss Isabella Duncan, who was born in Frankfort township, Will county, May 21, 
1844. Her parents, Tilford and Lucy Ann (Owen) Duncan, were farming people, of 
Frankfort township, but both are now deceased, the former having passed away 
in November, 1860, while the mother survived for more than three decades, her 
death occurring in 1892. They removed to Will county from Kentucky in 1833, 
being numbered among the pioneer settlers of Frankfort township. Both were 
devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The children of their 
family were as follows: William A., who is now deceased; John, a resident of 
San Diego, California; Warren, who has also passed away; Elvis, a resident 
farmer of Frankfort township; Owen, who makes his home in Chicago and is in 
the employ of the electric street car company of that city; Isabella, now Mrs. 
Harper; Mary Ann, deceased; and Amelia, who resides with her brother Elvis in 
Frankfort township. Mrs. Harper was educated in the district schools near her 
father's home and was early trained to the duties of the household, so that at 
the time of her marriage she was capable of taking care of a home of her own. 
By her marriage she has become the mother of one daughter and two sons: Delia 
J., who was educated in the schools of New Lenox township and is now the wife 
of George W. Robinson, of Joliet; George W.; and Warren, who first wedded 
Katie Bechstein, and after her death chose as a companion Miss Minnie Godfrey. 
They make their home in Baring, King county, Washington. Mr. Harper has 
supported the men and measures of the republican party since age conferred 
upon him the right of franchise, while both he and his estimable wife hold 
membership in the Baptist church. They are highly esteemed citizens of their 
home city, surrounded by a large circle of friends. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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