Person:Robert Harper (24)

Watchers
Robert Newton Harper
d.23 Sep 1940 Washington, D. C.
m. 25 Feb 1891
  1. William Jackson Harper1891 - 1963
Facts and Events
Name Robert Newton Harper
Gender Male
Birth[1] 31 Jan 1861 Oak Grove, Leesburg, Loudoun Co., VA
Marriage 25 Feb 1891 District of Columbia, United Statesto Carolyn Jackson Rousch
Death? 23 Sep 1940 Washington, D. C.
Reference Number? JWH #460

460. ROBERT NEWTON HARPER: (359 Mary) Born January 31, 1861, at "Oak Grove," near Leesburg, Loudoun County. He died at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D. C., on September 23, 1940. He was widely interested in the drug business. He held a Ph. D. from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He was president of the D. C. Pharmaceutical Association and of the National Association of Druggists for 2 years; Commissioner of Pharmacy of the District of Columbia; Treasurer of the National Food and Drug Co., and of the Washington Wholesale Drug Exchange; and was Druggist to the Poor of Washington until, after disposal of his business, he resigned. He was also a member of the National College of Pharmacy. On March 7, 1903, he was elected president of the newly organized American Bank of Washington, of which he had been a prime mover and organizer. In 1908, he founded the private banking firm of Harper and Co., which was taken over by the District National Bank of Washington, which he organized in 1909. He was its president until 1930. He organized and was director of the Loudoun Natonal Bank of Leesburg, and of the Arlington Trust Co. He was a director of the Peoples National Bank of Leesburg, and of the Potomac Electric Power Co. Of Washington. He was president of the D. C. Bankers Association 1920-21, and Vice-president of the American Bankers Association, and of the Washington Board of Trade. During the first four years of the existence of the Washington Chamber of Commerce, he was its president. He was one of the organizers of the Washington Auditorium Corporation, and its president during the campaign to raise funds for the erection of an adequate convention hall. He dealt extensively in real estate. Among his holdings were "The Loudoun" apartment house and the Harper Building. He was the owner of a fine farm near Leesburg, and he was interested in raising purebred stock. He was President of the Horse and Colt Show Association of Leesburg, and President of the Washington and Leesburg Good Roads Association for many years. He was an ardent Democrat; President of the Virginia Democratic Association of D. C. for 10 years; Delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1900 and 1920; and was on the staff of Governor Andrew J. Montague in 1904, with the rank of Colonel, in connection with the St. Louis Exposition in that year. He served on the committee to arrange for the inauguration of President Wilson in 1913 and 1917; was Vice-chairman of the Committee in charge of the G. A. R. Reunion in 1917, and Chairman of the Committee in charge of the Confederate Veterans Reunion in the same year; chairman of the Committee of Honor Medals for D. C. soldiers. In 1918, the newly organized Chinese Nationalist Government State Council selected him and four others to act as honorary advisors to their government. He was a member of the University Club, National Press Club, Sons of the Revolution, Southern Society, and Association of Oldest Inhabitants, and was a member of the Board of Governors of the Congressional Country Club. He had a great variety of interests, and is said to have been associated with more civil enterprises in the District of Columbia than any other man. On February 25, 1892, he married Carolyn Jackson Rousch, of West Virginia. She died in 1930. They had one child.

Children (HARPER) 577. William J. - served as a captain overseas during the 1st World War. He was married on January 5, 1921, to Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, daughter of Lewis Maxwell, of Willow Bend Estate, West Union, West Virginia. NFI.

References
  1. John W. Hansborough. History and Genealogy of the Hansborough - Hansbrough Family. (Name: Name: 1981, John W. Hansborough;;)
    145-147.

    460. ROBERT NEWTON HARPER: (359 Mary) Born January 31, 1861, at "Oak Grove," near Leesburg, Loudoun County. He died at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D. C., on September 23, 1940. He wa s widely interested in the drug business. He held a Ph. D. from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. On February 25, 1892, he married Carolyn Jackson Rousch, of West Virginia. She died in 1930. They had one child. Children (HARPER) 577. William J. - served as a captain overseas during the 1st World War. He was married on January 5, 1921, to Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, daughter of Lewis Maxwell, of Willow Bend Estate, West Union, W est Virginia. NFI.