Joab Harper
Joab Harper, minister, Jeffersonville, is a son of John and Mary (Parrett) Harper, and was born, August 25, 1817, in this township. When nineteen years of age, he went to Paint Township, in 1877, and then returned to this, where he has since lived. He married Miss Elizabeth Bloomer, April 20, 1839, who bore him ten children James, Lottie J., John W., Louis H., Robert L., Joseph G., Mary, Nancy E., Alice B. and Ida May; five are living. Mrs. Harper died, March 31, 1877, at the age of fifty-three years, and was an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which she joined when a girl, and died triumphantly.
Mr. Harper has been actively engaged in church services since 1859. He has held the offices of class-leader and steward, since shortly after he joined the church, and has been in the ministry since 1875. He was an exception of a boy; never quarreled in school, nor has he quarreled with any man since maturity. His parents were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Our subject is a firm temperance man, and was a member of the Patrons of Husbandry; but after his society surrendered its charter, he has not joined another. He had a farm of one hundred acres, situated about five miles east of Jeffersonville; but lost it in going security for a friend who failed to meet his obligations. His son, John W., served three years in the late war. Company C, 90th O. V. I. He now lives in Wabash County, Indiana. Robert L., is a prominent stock dealer in Kansas City, Missouri. Joseph G., Nancy E. and Alice B., live in this state.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County