HARPER John Henry

On the 1871 census John H. Harper, aged 11, lived with his parents, Thomas H. Harper, Needle Manufacturer, Mary Ann and siblings in Feckenham.

On the 1881 census John Henry Harper aged 21, Needle Manufacturers son, lived with his mother Mary Ann Harper, classed as Needle Manufacturers wife but at this time no mention of her husband. She had 4 children and a 1 servant at home with her. They lived in the Bromsgrove Road, Headless Cross.

John Henry Harper married Julia Ellen Eggleton in 1883 in Wycombe District of Buckinghamshire.

On the 1891 census John Henry Harper aged 31, born in Studley, Needle Manufacturer, lived with his wife Julia E., aged 31, born in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire.

On the 1901 census Julia E. Harper aged 42, had her niece Winifred and 2 servant at home with her at “Park House,” Evesham Road, Headless Cross. Again, no mention of John H. Harper.

On the 1911 census his wife Julia Ellen Harper aged 52, married for 28 years but no children, had Winifred Mary Pearce aged 22, single, niece and 2 servants staying with her at Greenheys, Headless Cross. No mention of her husband John Henry Harper. They had 1 visitor and 1 servant and they lived Birchfield Road, Webheath.

On Ancestry site Probate records, John Henry Harper of Greenheys, Headless Cross, died 7th May at sea, Probate London, 25th September, to Julia Ellen Harper, widow, Robert John Miller, bank manager and Howard Button, chartered accountant. Effects £13,789.1s.7d.

In the 1874 White’s Directory Thos. H. Harper was entered under Needle and Hook Manufacturers, Prospect Hill, Redditch.

The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger, Saturday 15th May 1915:
The Torpedoing of the Lusitania
Headless Cross Gentleman Missing
Mr J.H. Harper, of Green Leys, Feckenham Road, Headless cross, and managing director of the firm Messrs. Thomas Harper and Sons, was a passenger on the ill-fated Lusitania. He was returning from a business trip made in the interests of his firm. When it became known that the vessel had been torpedoed much concern was manifested, as the workpeople knew he was expected home on the Saturday. As the published lists of the survivors did not contain Mr. Harper’s name, it was felt that he had gone down with the vessel. Mrs Harper, accompanied by Mr. G. H. Rollins, a friend of Mr Harper, proceeded to Liverpool on Saturday morning, their enquiries were not rewarded with any better news. The sad event cast a gloom over the district, for Mr. Harper was well known and highly respected. The deceased gentleman, who was in his fifty-fifth year, was born at Studley, and early in life entered the business established by his father, the late Mr. Thomas Harper. The latter travelled to the United States for a number of years in the interests of the business, but more than thirty years ago Mr. J. H. Harper commenced travelling the States, and every year for the last twenty years he had made the journey. He gained his business training at home, and was a good salesman. He was well-known in Wesleyan Methodist circles, and to this church he gave of his best. At the time of his death he was the superintendent of the Headless Cross Wesleyan Sunday School, a lay preacher, president of the Wesleyan Layman’s Mission Movement, and a trustee of several churches in the Redditch Circuit. He was exceedingly generous to his own and other churches, and practically every institution received his support. He never sought position on any local governing body, but throughout his life he took a lively interest in local affairs. In politics he was a Liberal, and in his earlier years took an active interest in the work. The demands of business prevented him during later years taking only a small part in this and other matters. At one time he was president of the Redditch and District Free Church Council, and was in considerable demand as chairman of meetings connected with the Free Churches in the town and district.

The following information was accessed via a website that is no longer online:
On May 7, 1915, less than a year after World War I (1914-18) erupted across Europe, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner enroute from New York to Liverpool, England. Of the more than 1,900 passengers and crew members on board, more than 1,100 perished, including more than 120 Americans. Nearly two years would pass before the United States formally entered World War I, but the sinking of the Lusitania played a significant role in turning public opinion against Germany, both in the United States and abroad.

Birmingham Daily Post, Monday 24th May 1915:
A Memorial Service for Mr J. H. Harper
A memorial service for Mr J. H. Harper, of Headless Cross, Redditch, one of the victims of the Lusitania outrage, was held at Headless Cross, Wesleyan Chapel yesterday. Mr Harper had been associated with the church for the greater part of his life. Representatives were present at the service from all the Wesleyan churches in the circuit. The service was conducted by the circuit ministers – the Revs. J. Gilbert, H. J. Holman, and C. Wood. The offertory was devoted to the Lusitania Relief Fund.

Birmingham Daily Post courtesy of the British Library:  http://www.britishnewspaperarchives.co.uk