The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-23
OBITUARY..
JOHN HARPER, THE PUBLISHER.

Mr. John Harper, or the we'll known publishing
firm OF Harper Bros, New York, died at halipast
eight O'Clock last evening, OF paralysis, at his city
residence, No. 234 Filth avenue, in this city, al the
advanced age OF seventy-eignt years and three
months.
the Harpers firm originally consisted or James
(born in 1895, died In New York March II, 1861
and joan, whose death is above recorded (oorn
January %, 1870. They were the sons or Joseph
Harper, whose occupation was that oil q builder,
and were born and reared on a farm
IN the vicinity OF what is now known as Newton,
i. l. Their father was man or sound common
sense, pious member OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and to which the sons have always ad-
hered. James and John Harper were indentured
apprentices TO the printing business by their
father when they were or proper age. Early in
the summer OF 1917 having just finished their
term VI apprenticeship az tine printing trade they
opened modest printing office IN the second
story OF u small wooden house on the corner
OIL Front and Dover street in TINS city.
When tnis little printing establishment was
printing books was IN It's infancy in this country,
and the venture OF these young men was looked
upon as almost desperate. by great energy and
INDUSTRY, however, the irm prospered rom the
first. In a low years they found their quarters
100 lrmlteu and removed TO another building In
Fulton street, near Broadway. In 1873 younger
brother Mr.. Joseph wesley Harper, VINO had
learned his trade % them, was given an interest
IN the house. In 1925 they removed again 10
Pearl street, near Franklin square, and shortly
alter TO Clf street, wnere they purchased two
small buildings and materially extended their
business. IN 1925 another brother, Mr..
Fletcher Harper, was admitted TO partner
changed from j. & J. Harper to Harper Brothers.
TINS was the origin OF what Is how the largest
DOCK publishing 1rm In the world. On the l0th OF
December, 1858, IRE occurred In the buildings
occupied by Harper Brothers through the careless
ness OF plumoer, and property 10 the amount OF
sl,000, 900 was destroyed With their Characters
tie energy they Immediately Determined upon re-
buhalng their establishment upon scale wnicn
would nave staggered most prosperous COM
rciai house. Ine new buildings were finished In
1854 aud are the same winch are now occupied by
the firm. on the 18th OF March, 1869, Mr.. James
harper visited the store Tor me last time. On
thls occasion ne was IN his usual health. and APP
peared TO be possessed OF unusually good spirits.
lie lett the establishment at an early hour, and, as
PARK. By On accident he was thrown from his
carriage ana received injuries from which he died
TWO days alterWard. ills brother, Joseph wesley
Harper, became afflicted the demise or his
cider nrOGner mat he took slck and rapidly lalled
health, and dled on tne l4tn Z. FEBRUARY, 1870.
After the DEAN OF his Two brothers JOnn Harper
Withdrew from active business aud Tue firm was
the original partners These, alter receiving u
careful eaucau0n. several ~ them at Columbia
College, entered tue house, each serving a regular
apprenticeship N some DrancH oi the business. Mr.
JOnn Harper lad Deen IL verv delicate health for
upward Of q year past, being confined 10 his
led since last July. The last occasion Oh his being
seen Ia pu3iic was during the latter part OF the
month 81 day, 1874, when he INDUCED. at the adj
wee ol MS Physician, a ride tnrougn the Central
PARK. 81 lis immediate family there remain Two
sons ana three daughters % mourn their nrcpar-
aOle loss.