Spanish -American War Soldiers - Private James J. Harper

 

#27 -A. B. Votrie, #28 J.J. Harper

# 28 PRIVATE JAMES JOHNSON HARPER

Born on April 28, 1874, to Joshua and Carolina (Hosey) Harper, James grew up in Defiance and stayed there most of his life. He had a brother, William H. and a sister, Clara Hattie. In 1892, he had a job with the H.C. Gerken Company. 

On July 2, 1898, he enlisted in Company M, 6th Regiment and served with them in Cuba until mustered out on May 24, 1899, at Augusta, Georgia.

On November 4, 1901, the twenty-year-old James married Lois L. Hadley, who was also 20. The Defiance Democrat, November 21, 1901 reported:

"JAMES HARPER AND LOIS HADLEY MARRIED

James Harper, of Holgate Avenue, and Miss Lois Hadley of Burr Oak, Mich., were married on Monday, Nov. 4th at Paulding.

The marriage was kept a secret while the bride and groom were visiting in the southern part of the state.

They returned home Saturday and will reside in this city.

It may have ended in divorce, but no record could be found.

J J. Harper's name made the Defiance Democrat on November 16, 1906, when he was part of a fracas in one of the saloons in Defiance.

"THREE MEN FACE COURT

WHITEFORD, COMPANY, AND HARPER HEAR THEIR FATE IN COURT

Three of the five men who were indicted by the grand jury on the charge of assault and battery, with the exception of one, for participating in the affray at Ed. Company's saloon, near the B&O depot, faced Judge Snook Tuesday afternoon.

Fred Whiteford came into court and changed his plea of not guilty entered some time ago to that of guilty. He was given a fine of $50 and costs and sentenced to serve four months in the Toledo work house.

Edward Company, who was indicted for keeping his saloon open on Sundays, plead guilty to the charge, and he was fined $50 and costs. He paid up rather than go to jail.

James J. Harper, the man who claims to have received a bullet in his body at the hands of Company, when the fracas was on tap, plead guilty to assault and battery and was given a fine of $15 and costs..."

In 1910, James Harper married second Laura Antoinette Maynard (Archer) on October 4. They set up residence at 1103 Holgate Avenue in Defiance. It was Laura's second marriage; she was a widow of Mr. Archer. Harper registered for the World War I draft in 1918 at the age of 44 when he worked as a salesman. 

One of the biggest surprises about Mr. Harper was that he owned a patent for inventing an egg tester. More can be read about that HERE. He applied for the patent on June 13, 1913, and it was granted in August 1914.

By 1920, James was single again at age 45 as listed in the Federal Census. He lived with his mother, Caroline, on Holgate Avenue, and she was listed as the owner. It is unsure what happened to his wife, Laura. His mother died in 1923 of pneumonia, and James' health began to decline as well.

At the age of 53 in 1928,  J. J. Harper was admitted to the U.S. Home for Disabled Soldiers in Dayton. His health issues were listed at admittance as arthritis, dental disease and deficient vision. At the time, he was 5'8", with brown eyes and gray hair. He received a pension of $50 a month.

He stayed there until his death on February 14, 1930. 

"JAMES HARPER RITES MONDAY

Spanish-American War Veteran Dies in Soldiers' Home, Dayton

The body of James J. Harper, 55, Spanish-American War veteran, who died of heart trouble at 5:10 a.m. in the soldiers' home at Dayton, arrived here this morning and was taken to Mansfield funeral home.

Last rites will be held there Monday at 2 p.m., with Rev. Theodore Strauss, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran church, officiating. Burial will be made in Riverside Cemetery.

Mr. Harper was born in Defiance April 28, 1874, a son of the late Joshua and Caroline Harper, and had spent most of his life in this city.

Surviving are a brother, William Harper, Defiance, and a sister, Mrs. Hattie C. Flanigan, Flint, Mich."

The Crescent-News, February 15, 1930, p. 1

Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, Ohio

His death certificate indicated that bronchial pneumonia was the cause of  death. His personal effects were sold at auction on December 19, 1930..

Two sources dispute the death date engraved on his tombstone as 1931.