BIO: J. C. HARPER, Centre County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja and Sabrina Marie 
Robb

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, page 101

J. C. HARPER, an able and successful attorney of Bellefonte, Centre county, 
was elected in November, 1896, to the office of County Recorder.  As his 
abilities have already been thoroughly tested in public office as Prothonotary, 
there is no doubt that his administration in his new position will be acceptable 
to the people.
  Mr. Harper is a native of Centre county, and was born November 1, 1854, upon a 
farm in Miles township, where his family has been well-known for many years.  
His grandfather, George Harper, came from the lower tier of counties to make his 
permanent home in that township, where his death occurred.  Our subject's 
grandmother died some years later at Centre Hall, at the age of ninety.  John 
Harper, our subject's father, was born in Miles township, Centre county, and 
always resided there, following agriculture as an occupation, and exerting a 
quiet influence as an upright citizen and a consistent member of the German 
Reformed Church.  In politics he was a Democrat.  About ten years ago, at the 
age of sixty, his earthly career closed; his widow, whose maiden name was Jane 
Magee, is still living at Centre Hall.  Her parents came from Ireland before her 
birth, which occurred in Union county, and after a short residence in Buffalo 
Valley they settled in Penn's Valley, Centre county, their last days being spent 
in Miles township.  Our subject was the second of three children:  (1) Maggie 
(deceased) married G.W. Stover, Jr.; (3) Emma married George Emerick, and 
resides in Centre Hall.
  During Mr. Harper's early life he enjoyed the benefits of farm life, but was 
given the advantage of study at the normal schools at Centre Hall and Rebersburg 
in addition to the usual district-school course.  In 1872 he began teaching 
school , and continued for some time, his summers being spent in other work and 
in attending school.  In 1876 he was appointed Deputy Prothonotary, after 
proving his capacity by about three years of service in that position he was (in 
1878) elected Prothonotary, taking his seat in 1879.  He was re-elected in 1881 
for three years, and at the close of his term began to read law.  Since his 
admission to the Bar he has been in active practice, meeting with gratifying 
success, and he has now be chosen to the office of Recorder, as stated.  He is a 
man well calculated to gain and retain public confidence and esteem, and as a 
worker in the Democratic party, and as a citizen, he wields wide influence.
  On September 16, 1879, Mr. Harper was united in marriage with Miss Laura 
Graham, who was born in Bellefonte, October 2, 1854.  Their pleasant home is 
gladdened by three children, Clarence, Helen and Arthur.