William Harper, one of the oldest men in Lake County, is the son of John and Elizabeth (Weaver) Harper; they were both probably born in Pennsylvania; they married, and made their home in Kentucky. They had three sons, but one of them living; they both belonged to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Harper was a farmer, and in politics a Whig. Mrs. Harper lived to be sixty five years old, and he was eighty seven; his ancestors were Dutch.
William Harper was born June 10, 1807, in Woodford County, Kentucky At the age of sixteen, he accepted a position as salesman in his brother’s store, but a few years later returned to farming. In 1846 he married Frances N. McGehee, born December 19, 1832; they had no children, and the following year she died.
In 1848 he married Sarah H. Tittesworth; she was born November 21, 1832, and died in 1880. They had seven children, five living. Mrs. Harper was a Methodist. Mr. Harper was a Whig before the war, and a democrat since. In 1855 he moved to Madrid Bend. He owns 400 acres of fine land. In 1875 he moved to California on account of his wife’s health, but, as it failed to benefit her, they returned to Madrid Bend. He has been a resident of the county for thirty years, and is now in his eightieth year. His life has been a long and useful one, and he retains the confidence of all.
