Harper, J. W. bio

History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious, Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co., Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 872, Putman Township
J. W. Harper. During the dark days of our country, when our flag was assailed by traitor hands, J. W. Harper shouldered his musket and went to the front. He served for 3 years in Co. K, 103rd Ill. Inf., and was in all the battles the regiment participated in except one, when he was sick. Mr. H. was born in Licking Co., O., May 12, 1843. His father, Andrew Harper, was a native of the Keystone State, and at present lives in Iowa. His mother, Sarah Ann Laws, died in 1854 or 55. J. W. was brought to this county in 1849 and has since lived here. He was never sued, nor did he ever sue a man; was never on the witness stand, never was on a jury and never held an office. He is engaged in farming on sec. 11, P. O., Civer.
submitted by Carla Finley