A native of Ross County, Ohio, born November 3, 1819. His father, Joab Harper, was a native of Pendleton County, Va., now West Virginia, while his mother, Lydia (Jones) Harper, was a native of Augusta County, Va. He was reared upon a farm and was early made acquainted with a life of toil. In the district schools of his native State he received the rudiments of an English education, and at the age of nineteen made teaching his occupation in the winter time, working upon a farm in the summer. For three years he continued thus alternately to employ his time, and then resolved to go west. In October, 1842, he made his way to North Prairie, in what is now Yellow Spring Township, where he determined to locate. The winter following his arrival he taught a term of school in a log cabin church, and in February, 1843, made his first purchase of land on section 17, Yellow Spring Township. Soon after making his purchase he returned to Ohio, and on the 7th day of August, 1844, was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Heizer, a native of Ross County, Ohio. Soon after their marriage the young couple started with a team to their prairie home, arriving here October 3, 1844. In 1877, they moved to the village of Mediapolis. In early life, and until he reached middle age, he was a stanch Democrat, and by that party was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the Third General Assembly of the State, in which position he served in a creditable manner and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In educational matters he always took great interest, his experience as a teacher giving him an insight as to the needs of the school system. Knowing his interest in such matters, his party placed him in nomination for the office of County Superintendent of public schools, to which position he was elected. While acting with the Democratic Party, he was always strongly opposed to slavery, and when, as he thought, the question could no longer be evaded, he severed his connection with the Democratic Party and became just as ardent an advocate of the principles of the Republican Party. As a Republican, Mr. Harper was elected in 1870 a member of the Thirteenth General Assembly and served one term. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and has served as a Ruling Elder. Twice he has been sent by the Presbytery of Iowa as a delegate to the General Assembly of the United States, the first time in 1856 at New York City, and again in 1876, at Brooklyn, New York.

A native of Ross County, Ohio, born November 3, 1819. His father, Joab Harper, was a native of Pendleton County, Va., now West Virginia, while his mother, Lydia (Jones) Harper, was a native of Augusta County, Va. He was reared upon a farm and was early made acquainted with a life of toil. In the district schools of his native State he received the rudiments of an English education, and at the age of nineteen made teaching his occupation in the winter time, working upon a farm in the summer. For three years he continued thus alternately to employ his time, and then resolved to go west. In October, 1842, he made his way to North Prairie, in what is now Yellow Spring Township, where he determined to locate. The winter following his arrival he taught a term of school in a log cabin church, and in February, 1843, made his first purchase of land on section 17, Yellow Spring Township. Soon after making his purchase he returned to Ohio, and on the 7th day of August, 1844, was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Heizer, a native of Ross County, Ohio. Soon after their marriage the young couple started with a team to their prairie home, arriving here October 3, 1844. In 1877, they moved to the village of Mediapolis. In early life, and until he reached middle age, he was a stanch Democrat, and by that party was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the Third General Assembly of the State, in which position he served in a creditable manner and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In educational matters he always took great interest, his experience as a teacher giving him an insight as to the needs of the school system. Knowing his interest in such matters, his party placed him in nomination for the office of County Superintendent of public schools, to which position he was elected. While acting with the Democratic Party, he was always strongly opposed to slavery, and when, as he thought, the question could no longer be evaded, he severed his connection with the Democratic Party and became just as ardent an advocate of the principles of the Republican Party. As a Republican, Mr. Harper was elected in 1870 a member of the Thirteenth General Assembly and served one term. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and has served as a Ruling Elder. Twice he has been sent by the Presbytery of Iowa as a delegate to the General Assembly of the United States, the first time in 1856 at New York City, and again in 1876, at Brooklyn, New York.