The New York herald., 1870-02-15
Q . I T q Ar =.
Joseph Wesley Harper.


0BIT q a. RY.
--~----~-~~~~-----~~>~~-~~~-
Joseph Wesley Harper.
Not many months have passed sincc with I'M
feiRned regret. We were called upon 10 record the
death OF Mr.. James Harper, the oldest brother ana
head OF the firm Of Harper Brothers. To-day,
with equal sorrow, we the death OF Joseph
Wesley Harper which saa event occurred early yes
terday morning. at the residence orthe late publisher
In Brooklyn. He was In the sxty-alnth year OF hts
age, having been born in Newtown L. l., In 1901.
The father OF the brothers Harper was u suOstan-
tial ana respectable farmer Of Long Island. He OPP
prenuced his sons James and John TO printer, and
after they mad served their apprenticeship and
entered into business their own account he
placed his remaining sons, Wesley and Fletcher,
with tho young men, Early In the century the firm,
which now stands second TO none IN the United
States, was founded. 'In 1922 the subject OF this
sketch was admitted to partnership From the
start ne displayed great business capacity His
literary taste was pure and elevated. AL
the books selected by him for publication
meeting, 1t IS said. with marked SUCCESS And not
only In choice OF literature did he contribute TO the
advancement OF his iirm. Whcn he became part
ner the establishment was by no means what 1t now
Is At one time he performed the duties OF foreman
Of the composing room, ami we believe that he 1t
was whose cool courage and determination pre-
vented what threatened TO be most disastrous loss
to the house. AS the story goes, there was
large amount Of work on hand to DO
published within o specified time. Some
book, or books, In fact, were to be got out
hasrily, to anticipate rival publisher. At this
important moment majority OF the printers, Incl
ed by couple Of dlscontentcd spirits, struck, and
notified Mr.. Wesley Harper that they would not re-
sumo work unless he agreed to certain conditions
laid down by them. He promptly refused, and plant
ing himself at the door OF the composing room re-
monstratcd with them at their conduct.
.Wnl you not 90 back to work ~ asked Mr.. Har-
per mildly.
''See you Id FIRST and then won't,n returned
ono OF the leaders.
The next moment the iratc tpyo was knocked
down, picked up again and hurled out OF the room.
Tue second ringleader advanced with Delgerent in
tentions and abusive language lie quickly shared
the fate OF his colleague. After getting rid Of these
troublesome spirits Mr.. Harper converssd amlcably
with the men, put them In good numor and ended
by compromising the matter III q manner agree
able to all parties. Such i5 the story as we
find 1t in newspaper paragraph. IL IL
doubtful II many other would have acted SO
sumnarily. but t proved the only effective method
OF preventing serious loss 10 the rm But although
rs appears from the foregoing, Mr.. Harper would
never succumb to- threatening demands, he was
alwa ays considerate aud generous foreman. In his
intercourse with printers he met somc dsreputabe
| characters on whom kindness would have been ut
| terry lost. But excepting these he always referred
| 10 his career as head OF the composing room as
| being most pleasant. While MAINTAINING the strict
est discipline he succeeded in winning the friend
ship Of al whose good opinion was worth having.
At q later period than that referred TO above he
took the position OF prooireader but did hold IL
very long while. The firm had by this time In
creased IT'S business greatly had already achieved
on enviaoie reputation throughout the United States.
On Mr. Wesley Harper devoved all the literary work
OF the establishment Although lie had not enjoyed
the advantages OF a COLLEGIATE education his reading
was xteGsive ana varied He had cultivated close
acquaintance with English literature aud was
versant with all or Continental literature that was
OF service to AIS business. HIS style OF writing
finished, though simple and unaffected Many OF
the preiaccs the works comprisily the old family
locary were written by hin and are note orthy for
| their compicJness OF expression. Mr.. Harper,
however ala not write often at any time anu "a
years passed on ne wrote less and less A
large number Oh the works Submitted TO the 1rm
| for publication were read BY him, and his critical
judgment was always found correct. 10 his credt
be II said that neither prejudices FOR or against
author determined MS decision. Every manuscript
read by MIN was weighed according to its merits
the rigid impartiaiity with which he acted added
the Boundness OF his Judgment, naturally enaDied
| choice Of books pubsied by his house. For many
years ne was the real conductor Of HarpS7's
Ma0dztns but few articles appearing that
had not been examined and approved by him. Dir.
Harper also conducted the literary correspondence
OF the firm until his eldest son was admitted TO the
business when he transferred this nrduous duty 10
him. His letters to authors were always w0rded In
spirit OF kndncs that clarmcd the reader. To the
unfortunate writer whose book had been declined
he extenaed hearty sympathy, and did not fail,
II the production exaiDlted marks OF ABILITY, to
courage him to Derseverc.
Except as publisher and literary gentleman Mr.
Wesley Harper was not known 10 the puOlc. In.
deed his elder brother, the late James Harper,
hon hAan nn1u
received the sufrrageS OF his fellow citizens and
even then the ot,ice was not sought alter. ASIDE
Mr. Harper's private lie TO admire. Personally
he was modest 10 snyness quiet, unassuni-
Ing, n,Ia9 mode - OF geasl,emanly sourtssy y aud
never known to utter language to others tnat could
agRrieve or wound. He belonged to what is called
the "old school" OF gentlemen His suaylsy OF man-
ners and thoughtful consideration for Others en-
doarcd him TO all the cmpioyes OF Harper Brothers.
as well as to his immediate relatives. 10 saose IN
trouble he ever lent ready ear aud was willing to
AID the poor and unfortunate with his money and
with personal attention. II this last was needed. He
took warm interest In the welfare and comfort OF
his subordinates, 10 whom he was always accessible
and who found IN him ready friend and aavlser.
from the disease which has ended hts earthly career
OF usefulness. The physical sufYerngs that embter
calm and serene resignation. He had been, during
the greater part Of his lie, prominent member
ano Smosr o. tae SANDS street Methodist church IN
the tcnets OF Christianity. Strong In his faith Of
future full OF light and love in better world above
he met death undismayed. The death OF his brother
James was Q severe blow TO him, and 1t doubtless
hastened the close OF his own hfe. lie Ii
said to have remarked tnat ne would be the
next one TO 60 and as he had made
preparations to leave the summons did not sur
prise him. Ever since Christmas he had been con.
nned 10 his room. During these weeks of suffering
bis cheerfulness and genial temper never iorsook
him. His last moments were worthy OF hts lye and
OF the Christianity he professed. When he leh tnat
his end was approaching ne summoned his family,
the old servants OF his hrm ana has friends, and
bade them tender and touching farewell. Full OF
faith and of hope he passed away, leaving Dennd
him the fame Of good man and q Christian, to
enjoy with his Saviour the felicity OF heaven
rf Jacob TieI.
A telegram from Philadelphia reports that Jacob
Tel soldier Of the war Of 1872 aged seveaty seven