New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-15
OBITUARY..
WESLEY HARPER.


Joseph Wesley Harper, the third of the four
brothers who for quito forty years constituted the house
OF Harper Brothers, died early on Monday morning
Feb H. at his residence in Brooklyn. lie was born at
Newtown L. L. and had therefore, almost reached
the Of three years and ten When he had come
the years of early manhood his elder brothers. James
and john had fairly established themselves as printers
and publishers Wesley joined them, at first as an en-
poy6 but soon afterabout ls25-he with the youngest
brother. Fletcher, became members OF the firm, which
took the OF Harper 4 Brothers. Wesley at first
took charge OF the compOsinE-rOom, as foreman ana
proof reader Men now old say that he was the best
foreman they knew. Soon the business OF the Har
pers grew and each brother had take charge Of de-
partment In which thought took place OF mechanical
labor To Wesley was assigned the work OF Literary
Corresponden This work performed for many years,
aided years, by his eldest son and namesake
For more than two years before his death Wesley
Harper had been feeble heath yett was rare that he
was missing from accustomed seat In February and
March, 1869, he oftener absent He was unwell,
was said 1t happened that day In March the other
three brothers went 10 Wesley. James, the eldest
was exuberant health and in rather more than his
usual buoyant mood He babe cheerful good-Dy 10
Brother Wesley" who not quite WELL stopped at
photographers n Broadway and had his picture taken
then, in company with daughter, rode toward the Park
casual collision overthrow his carriage, and he was
thrown TO the ground insensbe, and in few days died
Wesley Harper fairly recovered the shock OF the
death Of his brother Now and then he seen at the
office. Those who knew him but slightly would notice no
change. Those who had long known him saw differ
ence Brother James is gone" lie would say He did
not walk up into the composing room to look over
proos-he did MT like TO climb the long stairs :hen If
proofs sent down TO him. he did not care to read
them he rather chose talk to friend who hap
pened TO be in the office. And in all his life did he
talk more cheerfully.
Then he came to be missed, and those who loved him
learned that he lay his death bed, and that It
question of only few days. and most likely Of only few
hours, how long he should live The few hours into
weeks He most DESTROYS all this time to seenext
after bis own immediate kindred, who always with
him-thOse whom he had for years known IN business.
Many of these saw Wesley Harper during the last few
weeks Of his life earth and all felt that in parting
with him they parted with one who knew that he was
soon to tread the path into the Unknown, with
thing OF hope and nothing of fear The loving words and
cheerful utterances of Wesley Harper on his deathbed
may not here repeated He died as he had lived, in
perfect peace charity with all men. Living, he had
no enemy; dead there Is no one who will charge him
with wrong.
One apprehension only rested upon the minds OF those
who loved him. Such was his strong vitality, and so
perssenty had his system struggled with mortal disease
that feared that his last moments would be those
Of physical agony This apprehension was not realized
He slept quietly all through his last earthly night Then
as morning broke lie awoe asked that the blinds might
be lowered to let the daylight IN. Thank you,' he
said closing his eyes II TO slumber few moments
after the watchers laid their TO his lips All was
STILL As quietly infant sinks to sleep he had
passed from the Here to the Hereafter.