Person:John Harper (64)

Name and Relationships

Name: John Harper. Source is 1881 Census.

Parents: William Harper and Janet McPherson. Source is John Harper`s 1902 marriage registration.

John Harper was Mary Thoburn's foster father.

Personal History

1862 - Birth: John Harper was born on June 26, 1862 in Fullarton Township, Perth County, Ontario. Source is 1901 census and 1902 marriage registration.

1871 - Census: In April 1871, John Harper 9 was living with his parents, William Harper 33 and Janet (incorrectly spelled Janett in the census) 29 along with 4 brothers and sisters in Fullarton Township, Perth County. The 5 children included John 9, James 7, William 6, Thomas 4, and David 3. Mary Kidwell 17 was a servant in the household. Source is 1871 Census of Canada.

1881 - Census: In April 1881, John Harper 19 was living in his maternal grandparents' household in Logan Twp, North Perth. The household included William McPherson 69 (born in Scotland), Charlotte McPherson 54 (born in Scotland), David McPherson 33 (born in Scotland), William McPherson 27 (born in Scotland) and John Harper. Source is 1881 Census of Canada.

1891 - Census: On April 15, 1891, John Harper 29 was again living with his parents, William 53 and Janet (spelled Jennet in census) 48 and 9 other children in Fullarton Township, Perth South. John was teaching public school. The 10 children included John 29, James 27, William 26, Thomas 24, David 23, Charlotte 16, Maria (incorrectly spelled Merra in the census) 14, Albert (incorrectly spelled Alberd in the census) 13, Margaret (incorrectly spelled Margareth in the census) 11 and Amelia (spelled Emilie in the census) 7. Source is 1891 Census of Canada.

1901 - Census: On April 6, 1901, John Harper 39, Publisher, was still single and living in Sundridge in the household of Archibald Thom. The household included Archibald Thom 63, Publisher, Sara Thom 56, William Thom 33, Ruth (called Ruby in this census) 20, Printer, (John Harper's future wife), John Harper 39, Frances Chapman 13, Apprentice printer and Barbara McNiven 21, compositor. John was listed as a partner of Archibald Thom. Source is 1901 Census of Canada.

1902 - Marriage: On August 22, 1902, John Harper 40, Publisher, married Ruth Gordon Thom 23, in Sundridge. Source is their 1902 marriage registration.

1910 - In March 1910, Ruth Harper traveled to Saskatchewan to pick up Mary McLean Thoburn 2 years and 4 months from her brother Alexander Thom and his wife, Annie Thom (nee McNiven) who lived in Wadena Sask. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1911 - Census: In June 1911, John Harper 49, Publisher, was living with his wife Ruth Harper 30, his foster daughter Mary Harper 3, and his niece Agnes Thom 12, along with Fred Dake?, 17 roomer and Amos Pearson 24, roomer at 26 Barrie St E, Sundridge. Source is 1911 Census of Canada.

1921 - Census: In 1921, John Harper 59, Conveyancer, was living with his wife Ruth Harper 40, and Mary Harper 13, Kenneth McLean 61, roomer, Printer, on Barrie Street in Sundridge. Source is 1921 Census of Canada.

1924 - Residence: In 1924, John Harper 62, Conveyancer and Clerk of the Village of Sundridge, was living in Sundridge at lot 25, Barrie St. Ruth Harper, housewife, lived at Lot 11, Main St N. Source is 1924 Voters List, Municipality of the Village of Sundridge, District of Parry Sound.

1941 - Death and Burial: John Harper 79, died on January 1, 1941, in Sundridge after suffering a massive stroke 3 days earlier. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished and Find a grave. NOTE: The listing for Ontario, Canada, Deaths only goes to 1938 on Ancestry.ca. He was buried in Strong Cemetery, Sundridge. Source is a photo of the grave marker.

Grave Marker: JOHN HARPER 1882-1941. Strong Cemetery, Sundridge, Parry Sound, Ontario.