Harper - Alexander
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke &
Fountain Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p
536.
Alexander HARPER, who has for many years held local offices
and has proven himself a most efficient and popular man is a
member of several different socieites, in which, also, he has
been honored by elections to important positions. As a business,
public and private man he is so well known that to dwell upon
these things seems almost unnecessary. He was born near
Chillicothe, in Buckskin Township, Ross County, Ohio Sept 28,
1825. Thomas T. and Jane Finch Harper, his parents. came from
Lexington, Ky. with their parents and settled in Ohio in 1800,
when they were about 5 years old.
Mr. Harper's paternal grandfather was an Ohio pioneer, an old
soldier, and had lived in Ky during his early years, moving there
at the age of 12.
His grandfather on his mother's side was Col. Josiah Finch.
The Harpers were formerly from Va, the Finches Maryland, both
families afterward moving to Ky.
Francis Harper, a great uncle of our subject, was killed at
the Indian battle at the Lower Lynx, while his great grandfather
was killed at Bunker Hill. The wife of the latter was a sister
of Alexander McConnell, a pioneer of Ky, associated with Boone.
After her husband's death, she went to Ky.
Robert Harper, a brother of Francis, was a Lt. Col. and aide
to Gen. Wayne at the battle of Maumee. Alexander, Sr. died of
gravel at the age of 75. He was a large, powerful man.
Thomas T, the father of our subject, was, as has been
indicated, born at Lexington, Ky in 1795. His father took of 800
acres of land. In 1830 Thomas came to Montgomery County, Indiana
and located in Sugar Creek Twp, 18 miles NE of Crawfordsville.
Several families came to the same township at this time: Bowers;
Peterson; Stearns; Henderson; Saul Irvin; Wyant and William
Taylor, families from Ohio and later the Mitchells and others.
At this time, Thomas was a poor man. After a time he built a
cabin, living there for 11 years, clearing and improving his farm
as much as possible. About 1841 he moved into Franklin Twp, and
with his son, Alexander, entered another farm. In the spring of
1843 trouble came to him in the shape of the death of his wife.
His own decease followed Jan 8, 1859. Both were buried at
Shannondale. Mr. Harper, Sr. and his wife were Presbyterians.
Mrs. Harper was a well-balanced and well-educated woman,
superior in every way and remarkable for intellectual power. She
was thoroughly informed in church doctrine and was frequently
consulted even by ministers. She was positive in her nature and
decidedly gifted.
Only 3 of the children of this marriage are now living,
although 5 grew to maturity; Mrs. Mary J. Booher resides in Sugar
Creek TWp; Mrs. Elizabeth T. Harper has her home in Vermilion Co,
Il and in marrying did not change her name. The elder sister,
Sarah A, died at about 60, while James F. lived to be only 49;
both are buried at Darlington. Alexander was but 5 the day the
family came to Montgomery County.
It was largely through his mother that Mr. Harper received his
education. As has been said before, she was a superior woman and
her son holds her memory in grateful remembrance. The subject of
our sketch continued to live on his farm 4 miles south of
Darlington til 1862. He was for some time a stock dealer for two
years confining his trade chiefly to Illinois, where he also
secured land. In 1864 he opened a general store at Darlington
and continued in this business six years with good success. He
also became a director in the Terre Haute Railway, being one of
those who first secured the right of way. Soon after this he
entered into the business of contractor but lost about $15,000 by
this, not getting pay for work done. Being crippled financially,
he got along as best he could, taking work as a contractor for 12
years. In 1882, he became connected with local offices.
Previous to this, in 1853, he had been elected trustee of
Franklin Twp, and had also been elected JP serving about 20 years
in the two offices, having held the office of trustee as long as
the law would allow. He was a Democrat and the only one of that
party that could have been elected in the township. He had moved
to Crawfordsville in 1879 and 82 was elected sheriff over James
QW Wilhite, the then sheriff. Mr. Wilhite was a popular officer
and the campaign was a closely contested one, but our subject was
elected by a safe majority.
In 1884 he was re-elected and filled the office 4 years; this
last campaign was the hardest fought of all. During Mr. Harper's
time of service occurred the only execution ever held in
Montgomery County -- those of John Coffeey for murder and arson
and John C. Henning for the murder of his sweetheart. Mr. Harper
says: "I think the devil had a mortage on our county and was
trying to close it." Crime went rampant so that during the first
year he had a great many hard cases and stirring incidents.
His old township was about 75% Republican but he was kept
repeatedly in office for 20 years, as before stated, showing the
real worth of the man himself independent of party. He proved
himself as well the best sheriff Montgomery County ever had.
Since retiring from office he has given his attention to his
farm, which is located 5 miles NE of Crawfordsville.
Mr. Harper was married May 21, 1856 taking for his wife Miss
Eleanor Miller, who lived 5 miles west of Crawfordsville on Black
Creek. She was a daughter of William Miller, one of the pioneer
settlers. She died about one year after her marriage, July 16,
1857. Feb 24, 1859, he was a second time married, his bride
being Miss Harriet Flannigan, of Darlington, daughter of Saul and
Eleanor Abernathy Flannigan. She was born in the county, her
father having settled here in 1826. He has some interesting old
parchments signed by James Monroe. His death occurred when he
reached the age of 50. His widow is now living with the Harpers
and is 89. She was from Virginia. Mr. Harper's family consists
of two daughters, Martha J. and Calista C - both of whom are
unmarried and are living at home. Mr. Harper is a Mason a member
of the chapter at Darlington. He has passed the Masonic work in
lodge and chapter, passed all the chairs, presiding in the east
in the Blue Lodge for years. He still holds his memberhsip at
Darlington. He was elected Master in 1866 and has been
repeatedly re-elected. He has been Master for the last two
years. He is a member of Darlington Lodge, No. 186;
Crawfordsville Chapter 84; Council, No. 30 and Athens Chapter,
NO. 96 of the Eastern Star. Mr. Harper inherits the large,
powerful frame of his grandfather and united physical and mental
strength to a degree that makes him a man whom any city might be
glad and proud to count among its prominent men. Crawfordsville
is ever ready to appreciate and acknowledge worth and she finds
this most truly in the subject of this sketch. - typed by kbz