Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Raper, John M. June 29, 1835 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 17, 2009, 4:08 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

JOHN M. RAPER, Big Rapids, was born June 29, 1835, at Toronto, Can., a son of 
John and Abigail W. (Oliver) 

Raper.  His father was born at Bradford, Yorkshire, Eng., and came to America 
in 1830, locating at Toronto, 

Ont.  He was an officer on the staff of Gov. Sir Penguin Maitland, and married 
his wife, a native of 

Boston, Mass., at Halifax, Nova Scotia.  She died at Toronto, aged 64 years.  
The father died at Seaforth, 

Ont., at the age of 77 years.

Mr. Raper received a good common-school education, and when 17 years old 
obtained a situation as clerk in a 

store.  His next situation was as express messenger from Collingwood to 
Toronto, on the Ontario, Simcoe & 

Northern Railroad, Vickers' express line, and he afterward engaged in 
mercantile business at Holland 

Landing, Ont.  He then removed to Toronto, where he was employed a year as 
chief clerk in the office of C. 

R. Christie, Division Superintendent of the Grand Trunk Railroad.  At the end 
of that time he received an 

appointment as freight agent at St. Mary's Station, and after some time was 
transferred to New Baltimore, 

Macomb Co., Mich., where he acted in the same capacity two years.  He 
afterward obtained a position as 

messenger for the American Express Co., between Detroit and Chicago, on the 
Michigan Central Railroad.  

Oct. 1, 1864, he went to Elmira, N.Y., as chief clerk of the United States and 
Adams and Howard Express 

Companies, remaining there until September, 1866, when he went to Ann Arbor, 
Mich.

On the organization of the Merchants' Union Express Company, Mr. Raper was 
tendered the position of route 

agent, which he accpeted, and was in charge of all the offices in Michigan, 
which position he retained 

until the company was consolidated with the American Express.  While in the 
employ of the Merchants' Union 

Express Company, the local agents presented him with a silver tea service, the 
presentation taking place in 

the Mayor's office at Detroit.  He then entered the employ of the American 
Express Company, and was also 

mail agent on the (now) G.R. & I.R.R., between Grand Rapids and Cedar Springs, 
the latter being then the 

northern terminus of the railroad.  In August, 1869, he ws sent to St. Joseph, 
Mich., to operate as special 

agent, removing thence to to Detroit, to act as traveling solicitor in the 
commercial agency of Tappan, 

McKillop & Co.  While thus employed he was tendered the position of conductor 
on the C. & M.L.S.R.R., which 

he accepted, and removed to St. Joseph, Mich., and acted in that capacity 
about three years, retiring April 

1, 1873.  In May following, he went back to Detroit, to act as collector for 
the Weber Furniture Company.  

Afterward he again entered the service of the American Express Company, and 
was stationed at Big Rapids, 

opening an office on Maple street.  About 15 days after his arrival the first 
passenger train from Muskegon 

to Big Rapids passed over the C. & W.M. railraod.  He remained with the 
American Express Company six and a 

half years, and meanwhile acted as Manager of the Western Union Telegraph 
Company, located at Big Rapids.  

On leaving the employ of the express company he operated as a commercial 
traveler three years, when he 

engaged in his present occupation as salesman for J.S. Evans & Co., music 
dealers.

Mr. Raper was married in April, 1861, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Arksey, 
of Ann Arbor.  They have had 

three children, two of whom, a son and daughter, are deceased.  Charles Edwin 
Raper, born at Detroit, Feb. 

6, 1864, is now in the employ of John Greenop & Co., at Big Rapids.

Mr. Raper was a charter member of Mecosta Lodge, No. 26, Knights of Pythias, 
and belongs to Big Rapids 

Lodge, No. 171, F. & A.M.  He is a stanch Republican, and was elected City 
Recorder on that ticket in 

1877-8.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/raper549nbs.txt

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