The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-30
OBITUARY..
FLETCHER HARPER.

FLETCHER
qarrsr Brothers, publishers, died yesterday morning
Il his residence, No IA West Twenty second street,
ar. Harpcr's death had been anticipated Tor some
Avs For a week or past he had been afflicted
r,th gastric fever. The fever brought on by a
old HIS physicians say he had partaken OF no 1000
or ten days previous TO his death. His vitality was
80 strong however, that at one timo was thought NC
might recover. On Sunday night he grew mucn
weaker and on Monday at noon life was fast eobing
away He was unconscious for ten hours before MS
DEATH with the exception OF short time on Monuay'
when he recognized members Of his family VINO were
Al his bedside Then his extremities grew cold, his
pulse scarcely perccptible. and IN inns eona''on
he passed away. Tho Harper Building was closed yes
tcrday and crapc the door. tho iunerai se'-
vices taxc place tomorrow morning. at ten O'Clock, AZ
st. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, in toursn ave-
nue., corner OF Twenty second street
SIR Fletcher Harper the youngest OF Inc iour
brothers VINO founded and brought 10 great ana de-
served emnence tho publishing house OF harper
Brothers and was the last survivor OF the FOUR
James The Oldest Of the four, born IN 1875, John
In 1897 Wesley in 1901 and Fletcher In 1906 Their
lathcr was a substantial Long Island farmer, plous
member OF the Methodist Church. OF which all the
sons were also members The two Oldest sons, James
and John, were apprentced by their father TO the
printing business in New York, and when they had
seryed out their time and were OF age,
set m in business for themselves, AZ nrst
as printers for booksellers. They began IN the second
story or a small which then stood ON the corner
OF Front and Dover streets and the style OF the frm
was j. 4 J. Harper, and their earliest printed books
bear date 1915 They worked hard, and James Harper
was noted prcssman in his day, being man OF great
strength. Wesley Harper was apprenticed TO his
brothers after they had set up in business and some
years later Fletcher also became an apprentice When
I'D PEaA nj hnt
time'' they purchased a share in the bus-
ness. Wesley in 1923, and Fletcher in 1876
rhcreupon the firm became Harper Brothers.
For some years. and while the business was growing,
Wesley. who had a cultivated literary taste and
wrote all his lilo remarkably pure and vigorous
English was the proof realcr OF the firm and Fletcher
was foreman OF the composing room; and TRADITION
relates that he was very energetic and arving lore
rapidly through the Fletcher did not leave the
composing Tor several days and nights, an extra
force was put on and the foreman, whose duty was
10 impose the matter, had his meals brought to him
and slept under the 'stonc' on rug The adventure
was one he was ashamed ol, for he was always
proud Of having been in his time one OF the abest
printers in New YORK.
with singular unanimty. They adopted rule early
in life never enter any enterprise unless all four
agreed 10 IT, and 10 this they adhered constantly
and to IL they doubtless owed their safety In many
Instances business men. It's tradition Of the mouse
that, all being strong mon, OF positive characters,
Fletcher being the youngest, had at first less influence
than aiterward tell TO his share He was thought ven.
turesome andho conservative spirit Of the elders op.
posed sometimes what seemed to them rash
suggestions and propositions But MS powers
soon made themselves ielt He saw rapidly
what tho public taslc demanded, and he always know
bow 10 push work. II is related that the establish
mcnt oil Harper's Magazine was due 70 him. For
while, tradition reports Inc other Drotners were
making money rapidly, and werc opposed 10 venurng
field, where they might not succeed Fletcher,
who was impressed with the idea OF establishing
magazine, long urged tho plan IN vain, till at last he
declared his determination to do what no wanted
llone, If the brothers would not 60 in with him.
Them their happy CUSTOM they gave In, saying
that they had never engaged IN separate enterprises
aud would begin The success the Magazine,
which IS ono OF the greatest known literary annals,
completely justified his judgment that his predomi-
psnt in the firm was from that time
This 1850. In 1858 tho great tire consumed. IN
day, tLor whole stock, and inflicted on them loss
OF over million OF dollars Then the energy Of these
printers was shown. They held, on the evening OF
the fre family council, 10 decide whether or not
they should rebuild their business. Thcy had already
great wealth that their loss, lar from Gripping
them, lett them with competence for themselves
and their children. But the CLAIMS OF au hors OF
sire 10 leave we'll estabished business 70 their chill
dren induced then. 10 determine to 30 on An order
on Adams, Of South Boston, Tor twenty OF his new .s
fire, was .elegraphcd the same day, thus antici-
patng by few hours applications by mail from other
enterprsng printers Tor similar number oil presses.
BY this prompt and characteristic the Harpers
enabled to furnish their new office with
presses several months sooner than they could have
done had they their order by mail instead OF tec-
graph. II is said that the whole question was dis
after the ire, and the next week already plans began
TO b, considered by the firm for new building. OF
course, the business was temporarily carried on IN
another place. Tho building, IT was determined,
should be lreproo, as 1t is.
Fletcher Harper for many years tho NEST active
OF the four brothers He bore the heaviest burdens,
and bore them easily. He possessed a cheerful and
bouyant temper unailng courage, and was always an
admirable administrator IL was his thought which,
in 1885, established Hdrpers' Weekly and In 1867, the
Bd-or, both which he made cmincnuy successful.
Though he had, OF course, proper assistants, and
mad nf
this department, he was for many years the
active aud cnief editor OF these publications,
made no prctcnsions 10 especial or high
literary culture, he had remarkable gift OF judgment
in regard to the popularity OF ho books and articles
His opinion In such matters almost unfangly
correct; and during many years he read in manu-
and suggested topics for both tho Mogasne and the
Weekly He always, with characteristic modcsty, as
serted himself to DO without tho qualifications neccs-
sury 10 enable him to judge OF the literary merits oil n
book article but his taste and judgment and tho
quick tactwIth which he saw what would take with the
public were unerrng.
In fact, the qualities which he developed IN his bust
such as, II he had been trained To pubic
itc would have made him ono Of he foremost men In
The country. Ho had uuwavering courage and keen
eye for shaIns an Illogical position he had tho
quick insight OF born dpomatist and united to great
pertinacty cheerful and amiabc temper, nico
sense OF humor, and remarkable self command lie
always slow 10 speak, but quick to act when he had
decided and was fond OF setting discussion going,
listening himself to all the points Of 1t and making
his mind without saying much himself
In person Mt harper was tail, Wen formed, OF lignt
complexion, with blue eyes and with a very noble
head, iuil of intelligence and power. He always,
IN business and socially easily accessible to the hun
blcst people, ana his kind and winning set
people quickly ut ease. Like all The brothers, he took
kindly and afcctonate interest IN those served
him. and he will be missed aud by very many
WHO have grown gray In tue service OF tho house. anu
who always found in him consncrntc friend, ready to
be helpful TO them In distress and show himself their
TREND well as employer In all the relations Of lie
he cminebty benevolent and humane man.
whose pleasure was TO make others happy, and VINO
sought by preference the iricndlcss and lowly.
HIS love oil retirement and modcsty which
almost to shyEess led HIM keep himself all pub
lie or conspicuous positions and To conceal his mao
deeds OF charity from the world. He was most happy
liz his home, where he surrounded by his children
anu grandchildren and lattery hts great grandchildren
and whern his chosen friends we're always welcome.
Mr.. Harpcrs health began faii several years ago
Tho death Of his brother Wesley, 10 whom he was
very fondLy attached. WAS greni shock 10 him Az