John Henry Harper was born in Studley, Warwickshire, England, in 1859, the son of Thomas Henry and Mary Ann Harper (née Lilley). His father was described as a needle manufacturer, the village of Studley being well-known at the time for the manufacture of sewing and surgical needles. John was educated at Redditch and Howard House, Thorne.
When still in his teens, he joined the family business established by his father, Messrs T. Harper and Sons Limited, which manufactured needles at The Phoenix Works, in Birchfield Road, Redditch. He made his first trans-Atlantic crossing for the firm in 1882, at the age of 23 years, and after the death of his father, became managing director of the company. Because of his frequent visits to America, he also had a home or business address at 61, Leonard Street, New York City.
In his early years, he had a great interest in politics and was affiliated to the Liberal Party and often spoke at Liberal meetings until business responsibilities took up the greater part of his time.
In late 1883, he married Julia Ellen Eggleton in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and in 1915, they lived at 'Greenheys', Feckenham Road, Headless Cross, near Redditch, Worcestershire. The couple had no children.
Outside his business, however, his main interest was the cause of Wesleyan Methodism and particularly Headless Cross Methodist Church and its Sunday school, of which he was Superintendent.
The Redditch Indicator of Saturday 15th May 1915 said of his religious interest: -
He was a loyal and devoted member of the Wesleyan church. Its policy, its doctrines and its services appealed deeply to him. ..... No man regarded the importance and value of Sunday school teaching more highly than Mr. Harper. He himself was a fine teacher, and many will recall with pleasure the addresses he gave to the Men's Bible Classes, both in the old and the present Wesleyan chapels. ..... He was extremely generous and kindly disposed. No appeal was made to him but received his consideration and, in practically every case, his support. The financial assistance he gave to his church will probably never be fully known.
In fact, so important was he to the Headless Cross Wesleyan Church that if he were abroad during any significant anniversary, the date of the celebration service was usually altered so that he could participate in it, upon his return.
In April1915, he had been in New York City on business for the firm, and decided to return home as a saloon passenger on the
Lusitania. Consequently, having booked passage, he joined the liner before she sailed, on the morning of 1st May 1915. Once on board, he was allocated room D6, which was the personal responsibility of First Class Bedroom Steward William S. Fletcher, who came from Liscard, Wallasey, Cheshire, on the opposite bank of the River Mersey from Liverpool.
It was a tragic choice of sailing for him, for he did not survive the liner’s sinking, just one week later, nor was his body ever recovered afterwards.
When news that he was missing reached his home, his wife Julia accompanied by a family friend, Mr. G.H. Rollins, travelled to Liverpool in the hope that any news of him might be found there. The hope was in vain, however, as nothing was ever heard about him again. Consequently he has no known grave. He was aged 55 years.
The Redditch Indicator quite succinctly summed up the loss to family and community that his death brought: -
In his church and in his business, he will be greatly missed and mourned. His townspeople have cause to regret the close of a life which gave the promise of much beneficent service, while many will mourn the loss of a personal and devoted friend.
On 25th September 1915, at London, administration of his estate was granted jointly to his widow Julia, Robert John Miller, bank manager and Howard Button, chartered accountant. His effects amounted to £13,789-1s-7d, (£13,789.8p).
Bedroom Steward Fletcher, who looked after John Harper in room D6, did survive the sinking, however, and eventually made it back to his home in Wallasey.
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1861 Census of England & Wales, 1871 Census of England & Wales, 1881 Census of England & Wales, 1891 Census of England & Wales, 1901 Census of England & Wales, 1911 Census of England & Wales, New York Passenger Lists 1820 – 1957, Cunard Records, Birmingham Daily Echo, Redditch Indicator, Probate Records, PRO 22/71, PRO BT 100/345, UniLiv D92/2/179, Deaths at Sea 1871 – 1968, Graham Maddocks, Lawrence Evans, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.