Lee County Biographies
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MRS. ELIZABETH HARPER
Mrs. Elizabeth Harper, who owns and operates a
fine farm of eighty acres on section 29, Viola
township, was born in North Carolina, March 12, 1832.
She is a daughter of David and Phoebe (Jones) Cox,
both of whom died in 1893 and are buried in Earlville,
LaSalle County, Illinois.
Mrs. Elizabeth Harper acquired her education in
the public schools of Ottawa, Illinois, and laid aside
her books at the age of fifteen. She afterward
remained at home until her marriage, which occurred
about six years thereafter. She wedded Alexander
Harper, who was born in Greene County, Illinois, in
1828, a son of Ephraim and Christine (Kessler) Harper,
both of whom have passed away and are buried in
Whitehall.
Alexander Harper acquired his education in the
public schools of Greene County, Illinois, and laid
aside his books at the age of twenty. He afterward
assisted his parents until 1854 and following his
marriage began farming independently. He came to Lee
County in 1871 and purchased eighty acres of land on
section 29, Viola township, carrying forward the work
of cultivating this property along practical lines and
making it in the course of time one of the most
valuable farms in the township. He continued active in
his agricultural pursuits until his death, which
occurred in 1900. He was a man of exemplary character
and high standards and his passing was widely and
deeply regretted.
Mr. and Mars. Harper became the parents of four
children. Lillian is the wife of Rufus Johnston, a
farmer in Missouri. Annie married Clark Butler, a
farmer of Lee County. Jennie married Amzi Van Campen,
who died in 1907 and is buried in Spokane, Washington.
They had three children, Edith, Arthur and Bessie.
Ella, the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Harper, died
in infancy. Mrs. Harper still retains the homestead
and in its cultivation has demonstrated her excellent
business ability and enterprise. She has many friends
in Lee County to whom her excellent traits of mind and
character have greatly endeared her.
Contributed by Martha Fuller - Stevens, Frank E., History of Lee County Illinois,
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