Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-11-19
WILLIAM HARPER DEAD.
Pioneer Merchant Succumbs to Heart
Disease One Day After Eigfr
ty-Sixth Birthday.

William Harper, a pioneer business
man Of this city, died Of heart disease
at his home on Franklin and Center
streets at 10 O'Clock Wednesday morn
ing after a weeks illness.
Deceased was born in ~Pittsylvania
county, Va, on Nov. II, 1877, and
died n day after his eighty-sixth
birthday. Moving to Missouri with
his father when he was IA years Of age
Mr.. Harper engaged In farming in
Warren county. For some time he
was engaged as a farm hand and was
afterward In the mercantile business,
also handling tobacco and railroad
ties.
On October II, 1887, Mr.. Harper was
married to Miss Martha A. Morgan, of
Warren county, and they began house.
keeping in a2-room, di~rt-foored house,
occupying the single room on the
ground floor, and keeping boarders in
the sesond floor room. For several
years after marriage Mr.. Harper
worked as a farm hand for S75 a year,
saving two-thirds of bis wages until
he had accumulated $500 with which
he started in the mercantile business
in Warrenton. About 1849 Mr.. and
Mrs. Harper moved to R~ocheport, but
lived there only a year or so, moving
back to Warrensburg.
In 1868 they moved to Mexico and
have lived here since, Mr.. Harper dur
ing the forty years residence In Mex
leo, building up a reputation for hon
esty and integrity, benevolence and
kindness Of heart which falls to the
lot Of but few men.
Mr.. Harper was in active bushes!
here from 1868 to 1881, when he re
tired. During that time he was
active in business, church and charita
BILE circles. He vas for many years ;
member of the Board OF Directors O
Hardin College, was President of tn,
Southern Bank and was one Of tn
prime movers OF the effort to estab
fish a Home for aged Women in thi
city. The Home is now building ant
has been given the fostering care o
1.-THE Kings Daughters OF the State o
Missouri. Mr.. Harper was, until las
September, chairman Of the Board o
Directors Of the Home, and was re
tired at his own request on account o
falling health, being made IN honora
ry member o. the board.
Deceased leaves a widow, two chill
dren, seven grand children and eigh
great grand children, as follows:
Children, W. w. Harper and Mrs
W. J. Rixey,of Mexico. Two children
are dead, Thos. II. and Ida Harper.
Grand children, Mrs. j. f. Brow T
OF Ananarko, |, T.; Wallace and Tai
bot Harper, Mrs. f. P. Van Vess
Hardin Rixey, VIM. l.. Harper, 0
Mexico, and Mrs. @. W. Forester, {
st. Louis,
Great grand children, John Ware
Brown, Of A~nadarko, l. T.; Harper
Gladys and Pauline Van Ness, Q
Mexico; Ceclle Forester, Of st. Loui'
VIM. Sims aud Harold Clark Rixe
and Bryan Kelso, of Mexico.
Mr.. Harper was for forty-odd veal
years a deacon in the Baptist Churc
and was a man of liberal impulses
doing a great deal of charitable wor
OF which few heard. His was a pra'
tlcal charity and was not for IL
plaudits of his fellowman. He was
man whose taking away will be deep
felt.
!, The funeral services will be col
Quoted from the Baptist Church pr
badly Friday, although the detail
have not yet been determined upon.
Remember its what you save, nc
: what you earn, that makes wealth. v
pay 8 per cent interest on savings a
| counts. Start one now with
NORTH MISSOURI TRUST Co.