Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-17

liking for military life and and at the age o
II became member of the Washington In
fantry, and in Iowa was First Lieutenant il
military company. At the breaking ou
of the Civil War in 1861 he was an
officer in one the home-guarc
organizations, and in 1862, Joined
Colonel tnow Judge) Golfers regiment, the
One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania
Volunteers. He was Lieutenant and served a.
Quartermaster, and at the close of the war in
1856, mustered the regiment out of service. His
son states that the Major kept the books OF
the regiment in such shape that no trouble has
ever Deen experienced by any of its members
who wanted pension, in showing his status as
a soldier.
PROMINENT IN THE G. A. R.
Since the organization of the Grand Army Of
the Republic Major Harper has taken an &C.
tive part in its affairs. He was Past Com
mander of Colonel Moody Post No. 155, and
Past Department Commander of the State or
ganization.
In 1867 Major Harper was appointed Register
of Bankruptcy for the Twenty-second district
and held the position at the time of his death.
Frank Smith, Esq, says he knows Of his own
knowledge that the affairs of that Office were
administered ably and left in such shape that
the successor will find all plain sailing 1t is
supposed the Office will be merged into that of
some other Register. At the time of his death
he was Secretary of the State Monument Asso-
citation, which has charge of the building of
the monument at Gettyburg.
The deceased always manifested lively in
terest in the public schools, and was director
for many years of the Mt. Washington school
and member of the Central Board of Educa-
tion from that district. He was an able
lecturer on school topics and management, and
Trannanf1U IN IN orrif -,
that direction.
Major Harper was more widely known how
ever, as prominent member of the Masonic
order than in any other public capacity and is
said to have been one of the brightest men in
the order. He was made Mason February 27
1868. in st. Johns Lodge. 2l9 He became a
member of the Grand Lodge in 1870 and WOr-
shipful Master and was one of the committee
that revised its constitution.
HOLDING HIGH POSITIONS.
At his death he was Chairman of the Com
mittee on Appeals; he was Chairman of the
Committee of Correspondence of the Grand
Chapter; first High Priest of Shiloh Chapter
No. 257; a charter member of Tancred Com
mandery No. 48. K. T., and became Eminent
Commander OF it in 1876. He was an active
member of the Supreme Council, Thirty-third
degree N. NJ. s. j. of America, of the Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite, and Commander: in
Chief of the Sovereign Grand Consistory of
the Valley of Pittsburg, for 16 years.
Notwithstanding the complexity of his mill
tary, legal, society and civil relations, Major
Harper found time to devote part OF his atten-
tion to religious affairs, and was member and
vestryman at st. Andrews Episcopal Church,
at which church funeral services will be beld
tomorrow, after which there will be services
under the direction of st. Johns Masonic
Lodge, 2l9.
Deceased has been stockholder in and
President of the Monongahela Inclined Plane
Company since its organization, about 1870.
He was quite abrupt in his manner with
strangers and frequently created ill-feeling on
frst acquaintance, but when better known was
found to be unusually genial and kind hearted,
and it is said would go a thousand miles to do
friend favor and resent all acknowledgements.
His intimate friends are all of the stick-to-the-
death kind, though but few OF them got &C
Quainted with him in day.
A brother Of Major Harper, John Harper,
was formerly a well-known writer for the daily
press of this city, and served as managing and
writing editor on several papers. He has re-
sided in Philadelphia for some years.
Major Harper'S disease, a sort of malarial
fever, was complicated by eczema, from which
he had suffered for many years, and which had
been dragging him down for long time.
ACTION OF POST 12S.
A meeting of Post No. I2S, G. A. R., Alleghe.
ny, was held last night, and the following reso-
lutions passed regarding the death of Past
Department Commander, Samuel Harper:
WHEREAS, Information has Just been received
Samuel Harper of Post 155.
Whereas, 1t is but fitting that we should give
to the sorrow we feel upon the great
oss this department has experienced in this
sudden ana unexpected event; therefore, be it
Resolved, That in the death of Past De-
1artment Commander Harper, this de-
has lost one of its most
earnest and faithful members and one whose
leart always beat in unison and sympathy with
ais comrades in all their undertakings and ac-
ions.
Resolved, That we as members of the Grand
Army point with pride to his record soldier |
Ind q Citizen, and commend his example of deVO-
ion TO his country as one that should be taken as
beacon light to the younger portion of this COM
nunity.
Resolved, That this post extends 10 the widow |
md family bereaved by this dispensation of Provi
ience, soldiers sympathy in this the hour of |
heir afhicttOn, and commend them to the care OF |
Him who alone can dry the tears and assuage the |
yrief of the afflicted.
Resolved, That the Adjutant be directed to for |
ward copy Of the above preamble and resolutions
o the family Of our deceased comrade, and enter |
hem upon the records of this post.