Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-03-24
ISAM A. HARPER DEAD
ATTORNEY PASSES AWAY SATUR-
DAY NIGHT.
A PROMINENT REPUBLICAN
He Succumbs to an Attack of Pneu-
monia After Suffering a Week
Physicians Exhaust All Skill
known to Medical Science-Brief
Sketch Of the Deceased.
Madison. March 81

Madison, March q.
Samuel A. Harper. who had been
critically i'll with pneumonia for a
week, died at 1875 O'Clock Saturday
night. Throughout the day he had
sinking spells aud in spite of all that
love and medical science could do. it
was seen that the end was drawing
near. couple of days ago the patient
rallied and some hope for recovery
was entertained, but the weakened sys-
TEN was not sufficiently strong to re-
sist a relapse and finally succumbed.
He had been in delirious condition
for several days and Friday and Sat
urday was almost entirely under the
influence of powerful opiateS. The
only hope for the sufferer lay in keep
ing up the heart action and this was
done for three days by the use of the
strongest stimulants. Just at the time
of death the physicians were on the
point Of giving the patient some nour-
! ishment when the heart suddenly
failed and the weary struggle was
over. Drs. Phil. Fox, w. w. Gill and
c. A. Harper were present at the dis
solution, besides all the members OF
his family, ex-Congr essman and Mrs.
, r. M. La Toilette, Mrs. C. L. Harper
of Lancaster, Judge R. G. Siebecker,
, and Attorney G. E. Roe. It
, is a pathetic coincidence to the family
that just twelve years ago Saturday
; the father passed away. Mrs. E. B.
Murdoch, the married sister Of the de-
+ ceased residing in Pennsylvania, ar
rived a couple of days ago and was
granted the sad privilege of being pres
, end at the closing scene.
| In the death of MIR Harper is re-
moved one of the leaders of the Dane
county bar and a political organizer
! of more than ordinary ability. He
I was born in Virginia in 1858, his par
ents shortly after coming to Hazel
! Green, Wis. His father was farmer
and died in Madison nearly 20 years
ago, the family having removed to
the capital city. His mother still
| lives, making her home at the Lang
don street residence. She has a re-
markable family of sons, Charles L.
Harper is assistant state superinten-
dent of public schools, C. A. Harper
is the we'll known doctor and j.
Crawford Harper was the law partner
OF the deceased. There are four Sis
ters-CaToline and Mildred r.. living
at home; Mrs. w. Bates of Iowa, and
Mrs. E. B. Murdoch of Pennsylvania,
both now here. Samuel A. was
state university in 81, having prev
iOusIy taken the academic course.
He taught at Waukon, Iowa, for some
years. After being admitted to the
bar he formed a partnership with ex-
Congressman r. M. La Toilette and
Judge R. G.. Siebecker. the firm name
being La Toilette, Siebecker 81 Harp
er. From 1890-1S94 he was associ-
ated in the firm of La Toilette. Harp
er, Roe & Zimmerman Since then
he practiced with his brother. Mr..
! Harper was United States district at
torney from 1889 to 1898. He had
been president Of the state league of
republican clubs since 1894, having had
two sharp contests for the honor with
Attorney M. J. Jeffries of GAINESVILLE.
He was president of the Dane county
Telephone company. He was unmar-
ried, a tireless worker in his profess
sional labors and one of the
most active, earnest and en-
ergetic republicans in the state. Prob
ably no man was so highly regarded in
his pa ty as an organizer and
campaign manager. He had been an
active worker since he entered politics.
but about a dozen years ago he first
took a leading part in campaign man
agement in southern Wisconsin. He
exhibited marked skill and effective
ness as an organizer fruitful in re-
as manager Of local and district cam
paigns. He took a prominent part In
all recent campaigns of the republican
party in the state, and was
especially interested in the work of
the republican league clubs in the or
ganization and unfolding Of which he
took very active part. He was the
most trusted lieutenant and perhaps
the most intimate personal friend Of
r. M La Toilette.
who left the management of his polit-
ical campaigns largely in Mr.. IIar-
per's hands. Mr.. La Toilette was tire
less in his attentions to his friend ard
former law partner in his last illness
and scarcely left his bedside for over a
week.