Home > United States of America > Washington > Whitman County > Colfax > Colfax Cemetery > John McDonald Harper

John McDonald Harper

Birth	:	4 Jan 1835 Illinois, USA
Death	:	27 Jul 1893 Colfax, Whitman County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Colfax Cemetery, Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.8891983, -117.3494034
Plot	:	Block 1 Original, Lot 27, Grave 3
Description	:	Member Contribution: The venerable Pacific coast pioneer and Indian War veteran whose life history we must now essay to trace in outline became identified with the section of country now included in Whitman County as early as 1870, and from that time until the date of his departure from this life he continued to be an active and efficient factor in its development. A sturdy frontiersman, he saw much of western life and in him were developed all the best traits which characterize the pioneer, combining resourcefulness and power with sterling integrity and intrinsic worth. Our subject was born in... Read More	Member Contribution: The venerable Pacific coast pioneer and Indian War veteran whose life history we must now essay to trace in outline became identified with the section of country now included in Whitman County as early as 1870, and from that time until the date of his departure from this life he continued to be an active and efficient factor in its development. A sturdy frontiersman, he saw much of western life and in him were developed all the best traits which characterize the pioneer, combining resourcefulness and power with sterling integrity and intrinsic worth. Our subject was born in Illinois on January 4, 1835. His fifteenth year was, however, barely attained when he set out with his father, George Harper, on the long and dangerous journey across the plains and mountains toward the western frontier. Locating in Lane County, Oregon, he there grew to man's estate, and it was there that he had his first experiences in the basic art of agriculture, the industry in which he was destined afterward to win an abundant success. In 1863 he changed the scene of his activities to the Grande Ronde Valley, Oregon, where he secured land and resumed the dual occupation he had theretofore followed of farming and stock-raising. In 1870 he again moved, this time coming to Whitman County, Washington, and locating eight miles south of Colfax, where his family still reside. He continued to give his attention and energies to the same dual occupation of filling the soil and cattle rearing until, on July 27, 1893, he was summoned to depart this life. Industrious, frugal and conservative, yet progressive, all his activities were well directed, and success ever attended him. He became the owner of a fine, well improved farm and of many flocks and herds. The family are still in possession of the title to a fine farm of four hundred and forty acres, and keep some stock, though the settlement of the country has compelled a retrenchment in the matter of raising cattle and rendered more attention to agriculture necessary. In Cloverdale, Oregon, on July 4, 1862, Mr. Harper married Miss Amanda, daughter of William and Mary (Bylba) Eaton, who had crossed the plains with her parents in 1853. To this union were born five children: Hiram, on the farm; Rosa, wife of Droden Allen, of Pomeroy; Lillie, wife of Arthur Hibler, of this County; Daisy, wife of Thomas Sanders, on Union Flat. Mr. Harper was a veteran of the Rogue River Indian War, and Mrs. Harper's father was a veteran of the war between the United States and Mexico. [Source: "An Illustrated History of Whitman County, Washington," W. H. Lever, Publisher, 1901; transcribed by Genealogy Trails Transcription Team] William Harper The venerable and respected pioneer whose name appears at the beginning of this review, is one to whom is certainly due a rank among the active and influential men of the county with which this volume is primarily concerned. Always active in political matters, he has himself filled one of the most important offices in connection with the local government, that of county commissioner, and he discharged the duties of that incumbency with a faithfulness and ability which would in themselves go far to secure for him the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens. His place in the confidence and regard of the people has, however, its principal basis in the uniform honesty and integrity which have characterized all the relations of his life. Our subject is a native of Clark County, Missouri, the date of his advent upon the stage of this life being September 1, 1828. When he was quite young his parents removed to Wisconsin, in which state he grew to man's estate and received his education. In 1858 he crossed the plains and mountains to the Walla Walla Valley, making the long and wearisome and always dangerous journey with ox-teams. He engaged in the business of stock-raising and agriculture there, continuing in these related industries with success and profit until 1872, when he removed to Whitman County, locating about a mile north of the spot on which Wilcox postoffice is now located. He followed stock-raising in that locality uninterruptedly until 1888, in which year he rented his farm and withdrew from active participation in business, going into a well-earned retirement. He is the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of fine land on Union Flat, also of considerable realty in Colfax, well located and quite valuable. In the state of Oregon, in the year 1867, Mr. Harper married Miss Sarah Jackson, a native of Illinois, and they have become the parents of one daughter, Louise, now the wife of J. G. Combs, an attorney in Colfax. [Source: "An Illustrated History of Whitman County, Washington," W. H. Lever, Publisher, 1901; transcribed by Genealogy Trails Transcription Team]

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John McDonald Harper's memorial?
John McDonald Harper's memorial is located at: Colfax Cemetery, Colfax, Whitman County, USA.
When did John McDonald Harper death?
John McDonald Harper death on 27 Jul 1893 in Colfax, Whitman County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John McDonald Harper's memorial?
Latitude: 46.8891983
Longitude: -117.3494034

Family Members:

Parent

George Washington Harper

(1805 - 1890)

Spouse

Amanda Catherine Eaton Harper

(1849 - 1932)

Siblings

William Elden Harper

(1825 - 1916)

Milton Claypool Harper

(1836 - 1887)

Children

Hiram Henry Harper

(1863 - 1942)

Rosa E. “Rosie” Harper McLain

(1867 - 1963)

John Milton Harper

(1873 - 1884)

Lillie Mae Harper Hibler

(1876 - 1970)

Daisy B. Harper Sanders

(1880 - 1967)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Colfax Cemetery
Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8891983, -117.3494034

2. Lloyd Cemetery
Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8924700, -117.3726300

3. Mount Olivet Cemetery
Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8739014, -117.2275009

4. McConnell Cemetery
Diamond, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9539830, -117.4686210

5. Bethel Cemetery
Steptoe, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0052986, -117.3460999

6. Albion Cemetery
Albion, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7868996, -117.2518997

7. Saints Home Cemetery
Union Center, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7613983, -117.3478012

8. Elberton Cemetery
Elberton, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9821100, -117.2108300

9. Pitt Cemetery
Fallon, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8368988, -117.1588974

10. Eden Valley Cemetery
Palouse, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9407997, -117.1472015

11. Ewartsville Cemetery
Ewartsville, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7287000, -117.3178000

12. Onecho Cemetery
Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7503014, -117.4775009

13. Moys Cemetery
Almota, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7299548, -117.4143646

14. Garfield Cemetery
Garfield, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9999100, -117.1498600

15. Coleman Cemetery
Fallon, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8444310, -117.0963620

16. Odd Fellows Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7313800, -117.1908400

17. Greenwood Cemetery
Palouse, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9043999, -117.0686035

18. Whelan Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7785900, -117.1167800

19. Farr Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7262420, -117.1915700

20. Trinity Lutheran Church Columbarium
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7390110, -117.1626180

21. Spalding Cemetery
Almota, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7061005, -117.4633026

22. Zion Lutheren Cemetery
Endicott, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9672700, -117.6388500

23. Pullman City Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7107353, -117.1739502

24. Dusty Cemetery
Dusty, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8107200, -117.6436200