The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-03-03
Oh Tribune.
OBITUARY
Wesley Harper.
From the n. Y. Tribune.

wesley Harper.
From the n. Y. Tribune.
Joseph Wesley Harper. the third of
the three brothers who for quite forty
years constituted the house of Harp
er & Brothers. died early on Monday
morning, Feb. IA, at his residence in
Brooklyn. He was born at Newton.
j. L.. in 1901, and had. therefore, al
most reached the age Of three score years
and ten. When he had come to the
age Of early manhood bis elder brothers,
James and John, had fairly established
themselves as printersand publishers
Wesley joined them at first as an en-
ploye but soon after-about ls25-he.
with the youngest brother, Fletcher
became members of the firm, which took
the name of Harper & Brothers. Yves
ley at first tonk charg Of the compositing
rom. as foreman anC proof reader.
Men. now old. say that he was the best
foreman they ever knew. Soon the bui-
ness of the HarIers grew. and each broth
er had 70 take charge of department in
which thought took place of mechanical
labor. To Wesley was assigned the
Literary Correspondent. This work he
performed for many years. aided. in lat
ter years, by his eldest son and Name
sake
For more than two years before his
death Wesley Harper had been in feeble
heafh; yet 1t was rare that he was miss
ing from his accustomed seat. In Feb
ruary and March. 1869. he was oftener ab-
sent. He was unwel. it was said 1t
happened that one day in March the
other three brothers went to see Wesley.
danes the eldest was in exuberant
health. and in rather more than his usu-
al huoyant mood He babe cheerful
good bye to Brother Wesley" who was
not quite well. stopned at the photo
grarhers in Broadway. had his picture
taken then. III company with daugh-
Ter, rode toward the Park. A casual col
l>ioG overthrow the carriage, and he was
thrown TO the ground insersihle, and in
few days died Wesley Harper never
fairly recovered the shock of the death of
his bro,her. Now and then he was seen at
the office. Those who knew him but
slightly wonld notice no change. Those
who had long kr own him saw differ
cnce. Brother James is gone" he
would say. He did not care to walk up
Tito the composing room and lock over
pronfs-he didD' tlike to climb the long
stairs; then If proofs were sent down to
him, he did not care to read them he
who happened To be in the office And
never in all his life did he talk more
cheerfully.
Then h came to be missed. and those
who loved him learned that he lay on his
death i'ed. and tt at it was question of
ONLY a few days, and most likely of orIv
few hours. how long he should live. The
few "nrs ran into weeks He was most
desiil"us oil this time to see-next after
his own immediate kindred, who were a..
ways with him-thn<e whom he had for
years known in business. Many of those
saw Wesley Harper during The last few
weeks Of his life on earth and all felt
that in parting with him they parted
with ono who knew that he was soon to
tread the path into the Unknown. with
everything of hope and nothing of fear.
The loving words and cheerful ntterances
Of Wesley Harper on his death- bed NAV
not here he repeated He died as he
had lived. in perfect peace and charity
with all men. Living he had no enemy;
dead. there is no one who will charge
him with wrong.
One anprehensi only rested unon
the minds Of those who loved him.
Snrii WIS The vitality. anil so persistent
~ had his system Struggled with mortal
disease that II was feared that his last
moments would he those of physical ag-
ony. This apprehension was not realized.
Tie slept quitelv all through his last
earthly night Then as morning broke
he awoke; asked that the blinds might
be lowered 10 let the daylight in
Thank YOU" he said closing his eyes
a If to Slumher. \ few moments after
the watchers laid their ears to his lips. All
was still As qultely as an infant sinks
to sleep he had passed from the Here to
the Hereafter