Simeon Harper was born in Pendleton County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He was the second oldest child of Jacob Harper and Phebe Harman (with son Jesse being the oldest). Jacob Harper was the youngest son of Adam Harper who died in 1820 in Pendleton County. 1850, 1860, and 1865 census records point to Simeon being born in 1812.
When compared to a list of the known children of Jacob Harper and Phebe Harman based on all the known evidence we have, the 1810, 1820, and 1830 census records for the household of Jacob Harper are inconsistent when it comes to counting the number and ages of the male children. For example, the 1810 census of Jacob Harper's household indicated that he had two males under the age of 10. One would have been Jesse and the other Simeon--unless there had been another son born between Jesse and Simeon who did not survive to adulthood:
Jacob Harper in the 1810 United States Federal Census
Name: Jacob Harper
Home in 1810 (City, County, State): Pendleton, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 2 [presumably one of the two was Jesse]
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1 [presumably the father Jacob]
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1 [presumably the mother Phebe]
Number of Household Members Under 16: 2
Number of Household Members: 4 [presumably Jacob, Phebe, Jesse, and another son]
The 1820 and 1830 censuses likewise have an extra male child, and the age brackets don't match up with the individual dates of birth of the sons as provided in later records.
To add to the confusion, records generally indicate that sister Mahala was born in October 1812. So then. Could Simeon have been her twin brother? Or was he born earlier, say, in 1811, or even in 1810 before the census was taken? It's not likely that he was born after Mahala because records say that brother Enos was born on 7 December 1813.
Simeon Harper does not appear by name in any Pendleton County records with the possible exception of the Sim Harper listed as a purchaser in this 1828 sale bill of James Skidmore:
Pendleton County Inventory, vol. 5
pages 161-162: 24 September 1828. APPRAISAL of James Skidmore. No
total. Signed: Jacob [X] Harper, Adam Mouse. Supplementary APPRAISAL, 14
November 1828. Includes 7 books. Signed: Jacob [X] Harper, Adam Mouse, John
Boggs. Recorded: 5 August 1829.
pages 163-166: 26 September 1828. SALE BILL of James Skidmore.
Purchasers: ... John Haigler, William Haigler, Jesse Harper,
Joshua Harper, Niclus Harper, Sim Harper, Sollomon Harmon, ...
(source: Toothman, Rick. Pendleton County (West) Virginia, Probate Records: Wills, 1788-1866, Inventories, Sale Bills, Settlements, 1788-1846. Heritage Books, 1999. Pages 190-191.)
See the original document:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9KQ-QSLZ?cat=152464
Film # 007618805
Pendleton County, Virginia Inventories v.5, p.163-165 [Images 422-423 of 574]
p.163
A Sale Bill of James Skidmores Decd. September 26th 1828
1 Tub . . . . . . . . . Jesse Harper . . . . .26
...
p.164
...
1 Scyth and hangings . . Sim Harper paid . . .50
...
1 Cag . . . . . . . . . Jesse Harper . . . . .26
...
2 Pewter Dishes . . . . . Jesse Harper . . . . 2.12 1/2
...
1 [Rifel gun] and Shur. P. . Sollomon Harmon . . 9.25
...
In the above, it seems reasonable to conclude that the Jacob Harper listed as an appraiser was Jacob the son of Adam (d.1820) and that the purchasers included Jacob's eldest son Jesse Harper and his second son Simeon. (The other contemporary Jacob Harper, the son of Philip Harper the Pioneer, had died in 1826.)
[NOTE: There was another Simeon Harper who was the son of Elias Harper. This Simeon appears to have been born a few years later, about 1815, which might have made him too young to have been a purchaser in September 1828. Trivia Alert: This Simeon is a great great grandfather of actress Debbie Reynolds and a great great great grandfather of Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia of Star Wars). But then, Solomon Harman, a maternal uncle of Simeon Harper (d.1865, Kansas), is another great great grandfather of Debbie Reynolds et. cetera.]
On 20 September 1827, Jacob's eldest son Jesse Harper married Phebe Haigler. In 1830 Jacob Harper sold out and moved all his family--except for Jesse, who remained in Pendleton County--to Fayette County, Ohio. The last record for Jacob Harper in Pendleton County was dated 21 September 1830, when Jacob and his wife Phebe sold four tracts of land on the east side of the North Fork to Thomas Miller. Jacob Harper's name is absent from the 1831 personal property tax lists of Pendleton County.
------------------------------------
The Jacob Harper family in Fayette County, Ohio
The first indication of the family of Jacob Harper being in Fayette County, Ohio comes from a court case involving Simeon Harper. Bartley Walter Sesler was charged with "unlawfully assaulting and beating one Simeon Harper" on the first day of October 1831 in Union Township, Fayette County.
On 9 October 1834 Simeon's sister Mahala Harper married Thomas Thornton.
[See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-91S5-TZ or
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18059-76390-33?cc=1614804&wc=Q3F7-MNP:121345801,121362101
Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013 > Fayette > Marriage records 1831-1849 vol B > Image 33 of 140
marriage no. 1136, near top of page 60 (the right page) ]
Simeon Harper married Mary Ann Warrenburgh on 12 March 1836:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18059-75785-60?cc=1614804
Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994 > Fayette > Marriage records 1831-1849 vol B > Image 47 of 140
no. 1281
I do hereby Certify that by virtue of a license from the
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County
Simeon Harper & Mary Ann Warrenburgh were by
me legally Married on the 12th day of March 1836.
Given under my hand this 7th day of June 1836.
"N F. Jones, Justice of the Peace"
Simeon's wife Mary Ann was the daughter of John Warrenburg and Susannah Potter. John and Susannah were married on 23 December 1806 in Augusta County, Virginia. John's ancestry is uncertain. He may have come from Loudoun County, Virginia. Susannah was the daughter of David Potter of Rockbridge County, Virginia. Susannah's mother was Margaret, whose maiden name was possibly Huffman. "Potter" was an anglicized version of "Batdorf". David's father was Hermanus Batdorf. David's mother was Elizabeth Catherine, daughter of Casper Read/Reed/Rieth/Reith of Tulpehocken, Berks County, Pennsylvania. After the death of Hermanus, Elizabeth Catherine married George Gall.
On 24 December 1836, Valentine Coile sold 100 acres in Survey 846 to Jacob Harper (Fayette County Deed Book I, p.226). Survey 846 was in Union Township just west of Washington Court House (off present-day Palmer Road, which formerly was called Palmer Pike).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-X34P?i=124&cat=233016
Film # 008141936
Fayette Co., OH Deed Book I, p.226-227 [Image 125 of 683]
24 December 1836
Valentine Coil to Jacob Harper
for 300 dollars, 100 acres (part of Survey in the name of Woodson, No. of Entry 846)
On 13 February 1839, Jacob and Phebe Harper sold the same land to John Coil (Fayette County Deed Book J, p.371).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-X3KW?i=543&cat=233016
Film # 008141936
Fayette Co., OH Deed Book J, p.371-372 [Image 544 of 683]
13 February 1839
Jacob Harper and Phebe Harper his wife of Fayette Co., OH to Join Coil
for 1000 dollars, 100 acres (part of survey in the name of Woodson, No. of Entry 846)
Also on 13 February 1839, Simeon and his wife Mary Ann Harper, together with her siblings and their spouses, sold to their brother Charles Warrenburgh, their of the shares of 50 acres they had inherited from their father deceased John Warrenburg (Fatette County Deed Book O, p.252-254).
On 21 March 1839 in Ross County, Ohio, Simeon's brother Elon Harper married Barbara Ross.
[See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-91QF-LG
Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013 > Ross > Marriage registers 1834-1840 vol D > Image 144 of 193
(marriage is at the top of page 268, the left page) ]
On 17 October 1839 in Ross County, Ohio, Simeon's brother Enos Harper married "Venisia" Ross, sister of Barbara Ross who married Elon Harper.
[See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-91QJ-58
Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013 > Ross > Marriage registers 1834-1840 vol D > Image 160 of 193
(marriage is second from bottom on page 299, the right page) ]
In 1839, Simeon Harper was taken to court three times for nonpayment of notes.
The first case was Olds & Yeoman vs Simeon Harper. Simeon appeared in court on April 2nd and acknowledged that he owed the lenders $2.31. Interest and court fees were added to bring the amount to $3.28 and 3/4 cent, which was finally paid in full on June 22nd.
The third case was L. D. Willard vs Simeon Harper. On June 18th both parties appeared in court and Simeon acknowledged that he owed Willard $6.50 on a note due on June 6th.
The second case is the most interesting because it listed Jacob Harper as a co-defendant. Simeon had long been overlooked as a son of Jacob Harper by the descendants of Jacob's other children. This case is therefore important in establishing a relationship between Simeon and Jacob, although admittedly it does not indicate the exact nature of that relationship. A full transcription of this case is presented here:
Common Pleas case from the Justice of the Peace Civil Docket 1839-1841, Union Township, Fayette County, Ohio, page 14.
April 5th 1839
Saml. F. Yeoman ) State of Ohio Fayette County
vs ) Union Township
Simeon Harper & ) Suit brought on a note purporting to have
Jacob Harper ) been given by Defendants Simeon Harper
and Jacob Harper to Plaintiff S. F. Yeoman
for the sum of $14.00 dated January 1st 1838 due three months after date
April 2nd 1839. Summons issued and delivered to L. D. Willard Const.
of said Township & County for appearance on the 5th of April 1839 inst. at 12
O.clock M. Summons Returned endorsed "April 2nd 1839 served by
reading Fees .65 LD. Willard 6. U. T." . April 5th 1839 12 O.clk M.
Parties appeared and no defense being made ) Debt $14.00
It is therefore considered by me that the Plaintiff ) Int " 91
recover of the Defendants Fourteen Dollars ninety ) Jur fee sums " 16 1/2
one cents. Debt and the costs herein taxed at ) Judgt " 12 1/2
one dollar and four cents. ) Satis " 10
) Const. LD.W. fees " 65
) Tak Bl " 25
In the action of Saml. F. Yeoman against Simeon Harper &
Jacob Harper, I, Isaac Drace do acknowledge myself bail for Simeon Har-
per and Jacob Harper for stay of Execution in the sum of Fifteen
Dollars and ninety five cents to be levied of my goods and chattels lands
and tenements if default be made in the condition following which
is that the said Simeon Harper and Jacob Harper shall pay the
amount of the Judgment rendered in the action aforesaid , together
with the interest and costs , and the costs that may accrue.
Taken Signed & acknowledged this ) Isaac Drace
13th day of April 1839. Before me )
S. Millikan J. P. )
Rec'd July 19th '39. Five dollars, in the above case of Jacob Harper
Rec'd Augst 14th '39 of Jac. Harper Plffs Rect. by Wm M. Ledwith for balance of the
above Judgt. and costs, $11.44. S. Millikan
Rec'd. of Justice Five Dollars in the above case.
S. F. Yeoman
----------
1840 and thereafter for Simeon's parents and siblings
Jacob Harper moved with his wife and unmarried children to Crawford County, Missouri in time to be listed in Cortois Township the 1840 census.
He died, however, back in Fayette County, Ohio in the fall of 1847 while visiting his children. He is buried in Sugar Creek Baptist Cemetery. According to his headstone, he died Nov. 20, 1847, at the age of 58 years and 4 months. (See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26517611)
Perhaps Jacob had accompanied his son Enos and his family on their return to Fayette County (see below).
By 1850 Jacob's widow Phebe Harper and their younger children had moved a few miles east, which placed them in Johnson Township, Washington County, Missouri. Phebe was listed as 60 years old. In her household was her unmarried son John Harper, age 20. Noah Harper, age 30, headed his own household, as did Isaac Harper, age 25. Christina, age 23, was by now the wife of Matison/Madison Isgrig and Phebe, age 22, the wife of Martin Bouse, age 34. Delia Harper, age 17, and Eliza Harper, age 10, were living in the household of William Smith.
Missouri Marriages of Jacob Harper's Children
1
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V28H-Z43
Noah Harper
Missouri Marriages
Name Noah Harper
Spouse's Name Pheba Harmon
Event Date 27 Jan 1842
Event Place Crawford, Missouri
2
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2DJ-JMT
Christina Harper
Missouri Marriages
Name Mattison Isgregg
Spouse's Name Christina Harper
Event Date 15 May 1845
Event Place Washington, Missouri
3
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2DJ-J9K
Isaac Harper
Missouri Marriages
Name Isaac Harper
Spouse's Name Caroline Pinson
Event Date 14 Mar 1846
Event Place Washington, Missouri
4
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2DL-S5T
Phebe Harper
Missouri Marriages
Name Martin Bouse
Spouse's Name Phebe Harper
Event Date 12 May 1846
Event Place Crawford, Missouri
5
Delila Harper
Spouse: Jacob Kimberlin
Date: 27 Jan 1853
Place: Washington Co., Missouri
[Washington County, Missouri Marriage Record Book "B", page 122]
6
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2DV-VM3
John A. Harper
Missouri Marriages
Name John A. Harper
Spouse's Name Elizabeth Summers
Event Date 14 Jul 1853
Event Place Washington, Missouri
7
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V28C-W1Q
Eliza J. Harper
Missouri Marriages
Name G. W. Knight
Spouse's Name Eliza J. Harper
Event Date 15 Aug 1856
Event Place Crawford, Missouri
---------
Mahala Harper Thornton remained in Fayette County, Ohio for the rest of her life. She died on 24 March 1897 at age 84 years, 4 months, and 26 days. [See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=45395208 ]
In the 1840 census, Elon Harper was living in Concord Township, Ross County, Ohio. He evidently did move for a time to Crawford County, Missouri, for on 13 November 1842 Elon purchased 80 acres comprising the E 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of Section 19 in Township T 38 and Range R 2 W (Crawford County Deed Book B, p.219). This land is located at the north end of Courtois Township, about two miles west of the town of Butts, on or near the Courtois River. Just over four months later, however, on 22 March 1843, he sold these same 80 acres to his brother Enos. Elon then probably returned to Ross County, Ohio, having not lived in Missouri long enough for any of his children to have been born there.
Elon Harper died in Concord Township, Ross County, Ohio on 21 March 1881 at age 63 years, 5 months, and 12 days.
[See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89ZY-5GJ
Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001 > Ross > Death records, 1867-1883, vol 1-2 > Image 203 of 253
(note that his place of birth was incorrectly given as "Brellon" Co W. Va) ]
Elon's tombstone says he was born Oct. 12, 1817 [See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=53574218 ]
Before returning to Ohio, Enos Harper spent enough time in Missouri for at least one child to have been born there. It may be that when Enos did take his family back to Ohio, his father Jacob accompanied them. If true, then they probably left Missouri in the summer ot fall of 1847. On 18 December 1849, Enos and his wife, then of Fayette County, Ohio, sold their 80 acres in Crawford County, Missouri to John F. Mudd (Crawford County Deed Book D, p.393-394).
Excerpts of Crawford County, Missouri Deeds Involving Elon and/or Enos Harper
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-29K4-B?i=316&cat=323688
Film # 008316791
Crawford Co., Missouri Deed Book B
p.209-210 [Images 317-318 of 413]
Forman Manning of Washington County, Missouri to Elon Harper of Crawford County, Missouri
date of deed: 13 Nov 1842 ; acknowledged in court 13 Nov 1842
for $386.75, 80 acres
... the East half of the North East quarter of Section number
nineteen in Township number thirty eight Range number
two West Containing eighty acres ...
p.221-222 [Images 323-324 of 413]
Elon Harper and his wife Barbary of Crawford County and State of Missouri to Enos Harper of County and State aforesaid
date of deed: 22 March 1843; recorded 24 March 1843
for $386.75, 80 acres [the same as above]
... In testimony
where of we have here unto set our hands and seals the day and
date above written Elon Harper {Seal}
Barbara Harper {Seal}
Witness Wilson Stewart
Simeon Harper <=============
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTM-9386-C?i=469&cat=323688
Film # 008316792
Crawford Co., Missouri Deed Book D
p.393-394 [Images 470-471 of 517]
Enos Harper and Enisa his Wife of the County of Fayette and State of Ohio to John F. Mudd of Crawford County, Missouri
date of deed: 18 Dec 1859[sic-1849] ; acknowledged 18 Dec 1849
for 325 dollars, 80 acres [same as above]
... all that tract or parcel of land
Situate and being in the County of Crawford in the State of
Missouri described as follows to (Wit) East half of North
East quarter of Section No. 19 in Township No. 38 of Rang
-e No. two West Containing Eighty acres …
…
Signed Sealed and delivered Enos Harper {Seal}
in presence of Elias M Eunicy Harper {Seal}
Sparks John F Barnett
In the 1850 census, Enos Harper was listed as "Eneas Harper", age 38, in Jasper Township, Fayette County, Ohio.
[See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-67XY-73
United States Census, 1850 > Ohio > Fayette > Jasper > Image 16 of 31 ]
The 1860 census indicated that his daughter Rebecca, age 14, and his son David, age 13, were born in Missouri. An older sister E.A. [Elizabeth Ann], age 18, was born in Ohio, as were the younger siblings: Emily, age 10; Jno., age 8; M.L. [Martha], age 5, and Mahala, age 1.
(During the Civil War, David served in Company A, 5th Ohio Infantry.)
In the 1870 census, Enos Harper was living in Cain Township, Fountain County, Indiana. David was again listed as having been born in Missouri, but this time his older sister Betsy Ann was listed as having been born in Ohio.
In the 1880 census of Cain Township, David Harper was head of his own household. His age was listed as 32 and his birthplace was Missouri.
Enos died 15 June 1898. Enos, wife Eunicy, and son David are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Maxville, Randolph County, Indiana. His tombstone says he was born 7 December 1813. [See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22880937 ]
------------------------------------
No death record has been found for Delilah Harper Kimberlin has been found, but below are the death certificates for her husband Jacob Kimberlin and three of her sons:
death certificate of Jacob Kimberlin, presumed husband of Delilah Harper:
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1913/1913_00004066.PDF
Jacob Kimberlin
place of death: Johnson Twp, Washington Co.
date of death: January 13, 1913
date of birth: March 6, 1831
age 81 yrs. 10 mos. 7 da.
birthplace: Washington Co., Mo.
name of father: Rhinard Kimberlin
name of mother: Francis Peeters
informant: B. E. Kimberlin [presumably Benjamin Edward Kimberlin]
---------------------------
death certificate of Charles F.Kimberlin, son of Jacob Kimberlin and "Lyle" Harper:
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1935/1935_00008900.PDF
Charles F.Kimberlin
residence: Sullivan, Franklin Co., Mo.
married
date of death: March 27, 1935
date of birth: July 31, 1856
age: 79 y
birthplace: Washington Co., Mo.
father's name: Jacob Kimberlin
mother's name: Lyle Harper [presumably pronounced "Lyla", short for Delilah]
informant: L. W. Turnbull of Sullivan, Mo.
--------------------
death certificate of William Henry Kimberlin, son of Jacob Kimberlin and Deliah Harper:
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1958/1958_00045906.PDF
William Henry Kimberlin
usual residence: Bourbon, Washington Co.[sic-Crawford Co.], Mo.
date of death: Dec. 16, 1958
age 91
date of birth: Feb 16, 1867
birthplace: Washington Co., Mo.
father's name: Jacob Kimberlin
mother's name: Deliah
wife's name: Susie Kimberlin
informant: Oscar Kimberlin, Bourbon, Mo.
--------------------
death certificate of Benjamin Edward Kimberlin, son of Jacob Kimberlin and Delilah Harper:
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1954/1954_00011679.PDF
Benjamin Edward Kimberlin
usual residence: Sullivan, Franklin Co., Mo.
date of death: 4-16-1954
date of birth: July 14, 1870
age: 83 y 9 mo 2 da
widowed
wife: Dora Belle Northcutt
birthplace: Washington Co. [Mo.]
father's name: Jacob Kimberlin
mother's name: Delilah Harper
informant: Mrs. Ethel Shaffer, Sullivan, Mo.
------------------------------------
death certificate of John A. Harper:
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1912/1912_00022198.PDF
Johnson Township, Washington County, Missouri
date of birth: June 16, 1830
date of death: May 7, 1912
age 82 yrs. 11 mos. 6 da.
birthplace: Virginia
name of father: Jacob Harper
name of mother: Feeby Harman
informant: John A. Harper Jr. of Undine
------------------------------------
In summary, the twelve known children of Jacob Harper (son of Adam) and Phebe Harman (daughter of Isaac) are Jesse, Simeon, Mahala, Enos, Elon, Noah, Christina, Isaac, Phebe, Delila, John A., and Eliza J.
[See also http://johnmueller.org/TREE-JOHN/WebCard/wc01/wc01_385.html . Note, however, that some information is outdated and incorrect, such as the parentage of Jacob Harper and his name also being "Eli".]
------------------------------------
Simeon Moves from Fayette County, Ohio to Crawford County, Missouri
In the 1840 census, Simeon Harper was still living in Jefferson Township, Fayette County, Ohio. His widowed mother-in-law Susanna "Warenburg" was listed on the following line:
1840 > OHIO > FAYETTE CO. > JEFFERSON TWP.
Series: M704 Roll: 393 Page: 33
3rd name on page: Simeon Harper: 2 m under 5 [sons Jesse and Anderson], 1 m 20-30 [Simeon]; 1 f under 5 [dau Susan], 1 f 20-30 [Mary Ann]
4th name on page: Susanna Warenburg: 1 m 15-20, 1 m 20-30; 1 f 10-15, 1 f 15-20, 1 f 40-50
On 13 February 1839, George Warrenburgh purchased from his siblings--which included Simeon's wife Mary Ann--their share of the 50 acres of land on Rattlesnake Creek which they all had inherited from their deceased father. Then on 7 September 1840, Simeon Harper and Mary Ann Harper appeared before Jacob A. Rankin J.P. to acknowledge this deed (Fayette County Deed Book O, p.252-254).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-728V?i=141&cat=233016
Film # 008141940
Fayette County Deed Book O
p.252-254 [Images 142-143 of 430]
13 February 1839
Charles Warrenburgh & others to George Warrenburgh
For $150, 50 acres in survey 5351
p.253
...
State of Ohio }
Fayette County SS. } Before me Jacob A Rankin an acting Justice of the Peace in and
} for the County aforesaid personally came Simeon Harper
and Mary Ann Harper wife of the said Harper and acknowledged the sign
ing & Sealing the within deed to be their voluntary act and deed and the said
Mary Ann Harper being examined separately and apart from her said husb
and at the same time and the contents of said instrument made known to
her by me she then declared that she did voluntary sign seal and deliver
the same and that she was still satisfied there with, this 7th. Day of Septr 1840
Jacob A Rankin J. P. (seal)
Simeon and his family moved to Crawford County, Missouri by February 1842 (which is when his daughter Phebe Jane was born).
On 22 March 1843 Simeon was a witness to a Crawford County land transaction between his brothers Elon and Enos Harper. (See above.)
Following the birth of Phebe Jane, three more sons were born by the time of the 1850 census.
In the 1850 census Simeon was listed as S. Harper (with his gender erroneously given as Female!):
S Harper in the 1850 United States Federal Census
Name: S Harper
Age: 39
Birth Year: abt 1811
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: District 24, Missouri, USA
Gender: Female [sic!]
Family Number: 878
Household Members:
Name Age Gender Place of Birth
S Harper 39 F [sic!] Va S = Simeon
M A Harper 30 F Ohio M A = Mary Ann
J Harper 12 M Ohio J = Jesse
A Harper 10 M Ohio A = Anderson
S Harper 9 F Ohio S = Susan
P J Harper 8 F Mo P J = Phebe Jane
Jacob Harper 7 M "
N Harper 5 M " N = Noah
J W Harper 3 M " J W = John Wesley
----------
Simeon Harper lived in Missouri for at least fourteen years (1842 to 1856), but aside from the 1850 census, no other records have been found to indicate his presence in the state.
------------------------------------
Simeon Harper in Linn County, Kansas
Simeon Harper settled in Linn County, Kansas in 1856, probably in the last quarter of 1856.
Simeon was listed a resident of Linn County in a census of all free male citizens over 21 years of age residing in Kansas Territory, and all other white persons actually residing within their respective counties during the month of March, 1857:
Ancestry.com. Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925
Image 1 of 13
Linn Co. 1857
...
the following record & Corrected list & enumeration of the
legal Voters & white Citizens of Linn County alphabetically
arranged is hereby Certified by me to the Govenor[sp] and
Secretary of the Territory as a true full and correct list
and enumeration of the Legal Voters & white Citizens of
Said County as follows to wit
| names of Legal Voters | Heads of Families | Males | Females | Total |
1| Archer Williams ...
...
Image 6 of 13 [lower half of page 4 of 8 pages]
...
| names of Legal Voters | Heads of Families | Males | Females | Total |
170 | Harshaw Julius | | 1 | | 1 |
...
185 | Harper Simeon | | 8 | 5 | 13 |
...
203 | Jones John | | 2 | 3 |
...
Image 13 of 13
...
All of which is hereby duly
certified by me as Probate Judge
of Linn County Kansas Territory
given under my hand and Seal
This 1st day of May 1857
R. E. Elliott P.. J
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Census Roll in the Town[ship] of Potosi in the County
of Linn and Territory of Kansas for the year
1859 containing all of the citizens in said
Town[ship]
John E. Dunham
attestor
Names Date Heads of Families No. No. of
of of not of Cold. [Colored] Total
Voters Settlement Voters Minors Persons
... ... ... ... ... ...
Simeon Harper 1856 9 11
Jesse Harper 1856 1
Andrew[sic - Anderson] Harper 1856 1
...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simeon's two youngest children, George and Frederick, were born in Kansas Territory between 1857 and 1860.
Records for his third youngest child, Louisa, are inconsistent. She may have been born as early as 1855 in Missouri or as late as September 1856 in Kansas.
Phebe Jane Harper married D. C. (Dabney Clinton) Andrews on 22 December 1859.
Jesse Harper married Nancy A. Terrell/Terrill on 26 January 1860.
[See https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-16087-82408-29?cc=1851040&wc=M6VS-SPX:166159801,166159802 for both marriages. Both couples were married by John E. Goodson, a minister of Gospel. Note that D. C.'s surname was recorded as "Anormy". Note also that the minister recorded Phebe's marriage date as the 22nd day of December 1860. However, since the marriage was filed and recorded on 26 June 1860, it is clear that her marriage date was the preceding 22nd day of December 1859. ]
[See also https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-16087-79369-10?cc=1851040&wc=M6VS-WTG:166159801,166183801
Kansas County Marriages, 1855-1911 > Linn > Marriage records, 1865-1870, v. 1 > Image 114 of 184
D. C. Anemy [sic-Andrews] and Phebe J. Harper on on 22 Dec 1860 [sic-1859]
Isaac [sic-Jesse] Harper and Nancy A. Terrell on 26 Jan 1860 ]
Thus in the 1860 census, there were three separate households. Simeon and family, followed immediately in the census by Jesse and his new wife, lived in Potosi Township. Phebe Jane Harper Andrews lived with her husband just to the west in Paris Township:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M66S-LRV
Semeon Harper
United States Census, 1860
Name Semeon Harper
Event Type Census
Event Year 1860
Event Place Potosi Township, Linn, Kansas Territory, United States
Gender Male
Age 48
Race White
Birth Year (Estimated) 1812
Birthplace Va
Page 56
enumerated 13 July 1860
dwelling no. 412
family no. 412
HOUSEHOLD ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE
Semeon Harper M 48 Va
Mary Harper F 39 Ohio
Anderson Harper M 20 Ohio
Susan Harper F 19 Mo[sic-Ohio]
Jacob Harper M 14 Mo
Wash[sic-Noah] Harper M 13 Mo
John Harper M 12 Mo
Louvena[Subina] Harper F 10 Mo
Simon[Simeon] Harper M 7 Mo
Louisa Harper F 5 Mo
George Harper M 3 K. T.
Frederick Harper M 7/12 K. T.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M66S-LBK
Jesse Harper
United States Census, 1860
Name Jesse Harper
Event Type Census
Event Year 1860
Event Place Potosi Township, Linn, Kansas Territory, United States
Gender Male
Age 22
Race White
Birth Year (Estimated) 1838
Birthplace Ohio
Page 57
enumerated 14 July 1860
dwelling no. 413
family no. 413
HOUSEHOLD ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE
Jesse Harper M 22 Ohio
Nancy Harper F 18 Mo
D Andrews in the 1860 United States Federal Census
Name: D Andrews
Age: 23
Birth Year: abt 1837
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Missouri
Home in 1860: Paris, Kansas Territory
Post Office: Paris
Family Number: 1177
Household Members:
Name Gender Age Bitthplace
1177 1177 D Andrews M 23 Mo
Mary[sic] F 20 Mo [Mary presumably is Phebe Jane Harper Andrews]
Jesse Harper's in-laws were John and Susan Terrill. In 1860 they also lived in Potosi Township, Linn County, Kansas, together with three sons and two daughters. John, age 40, was born in Kentucky. His wife Susan, age 38, was born in North Carolina. All the children were born in Missouri. [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M66S-LGJ ]
On 15 August 1861, Susanna Harper married Robert A. Brown in Linn County.
[See https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-16087-81612-31?cc=1851040&wc=M6VS-SPX:166159801,166159802
Kansas County Marriages, 1855-1911 > Linn > Marriage record indexes, 1855-1865, v. 1-2 > Image 144 of 265]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simeon Harper's land in Linn County, Kansas
As best as can be determined, Simeon Harper always lived on the same 160 acres, although at times it appears that the land belonged to others. Pieces of this not-wholly-explained situation are shown below:
Here Simeon is listed as locating his land in 1857:
United States Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1820-1908 > Kansas > Vol 26 > Image 124 of 251
Dec 3713, E1/2 SE1/4 Sec 14 & N1/2 NE1/4 Sec 23, T21 R24, Simeon Harper, March 4 & June 10 '57
160 acres Loc by Simeon Harper, Octo 13, 1857
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 October 1857
Simeon Harper to George T. Hulse
Description of Tract: E1/2 of SE Qr of Section 14 and N1/2 of NE Qr of Section 23, Town 21, Range 24.
Note that Simeon's wife Mary Ann did not appear in this document.
Kansas Territory, Linn County, Deed Book A, page 80:
This Indenture made the 13th day of October 1857 between Simeon Harper of the County of Linn &
Territory of Kansas party of the first part and George T. Hulse of the County of Platt and State of Missouri
party of the second part, witnesseth, that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the
sum of four hundred and thirty dollars the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has granted
sold and conveyed and by these presents do grant sell and convey unto the said party of the
second part his heirs and assign forever, the following discribed tract or parcel of Land being
and lying in the County of Linn and Territory of Kansas to wit East half of South East quarter of
section fourteen & north half of North East quarter of section Twenty three in Township Twenty one
South of Range Twenty four East together with the appurtenances. To have and to hold the same
...
Witness the hand and seal of the party of the first part the day and year above written.
Simeon Harper (seal)
...
The foregoing deed from Simeon Harper to George T. Hulse was filed in my office for
Record the 12th day of December 1857 & duly recorded by me J. H. Bailey Recorder
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Index to deeds: Grantor & Grantee 1857-1870 Grantor 1870-1876
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVH-LT1G?i=31&cat=627981
Film # 008117959
Index of Grantors and Grantees
Image 32 of 549
Time of Reception: 1857 November 10th
NAME OF GRANTEES: Harper Simeon
NAME OF GRANTORS: Sharp William J
Nature of Instrument: Deed
Volume: A
Page: 67
Remarks: ---
Description of Tract: North West Quarter Section 13, Town 21 Range 24.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Index to deeds: Grantor & Grantee 1857-1870 Grantor 1870-1876
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVH-LT1G?i=31&cat=627981
Film # 008117959
Index of Grantors and Grantees
Image 107 of 549
Time of Reception: 1857 November 25
NAME OF GRANTORS: Harper Simeon
NAME OF GRANTEES: Gilstrap Lewis
Nature of Instrument: Deed
Volume: A
Page: 76
Remarks: ---
Description of Tract: For description see Bond
...
Time of Reception: 1859 July 23rd
NAME OF GRANTORS: Harper Simeon
NAME OF GRANTEES: Gilstrap Lewis
Nature of Instrument: Mortgage
Volume: A
Page: 336
Remarks: ---
Description of Tract: North West quarter of Section 13. Town 21 Range 24 corn.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As shown below, on 22 August 1862, Simeon Harper was listed as the assignee of the widow of a
War of 1812 soldier who had previously received a Bounty Land warrant for these 160 acres.
This is the same land that Simeon had sold to George T. Hulse on 13 October 1857.
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/default.aspx
BLM - General Land Office Records
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx?searchTabIndex=0&searchByTypeIndex=0
Land Patent Search
Location: Kansas
Last Name: Harper
Accession Nr: MW-0179-222
Document Type: Military Warrant
State: Kansas
Issue Date: 8/22/1862
Cancelled: No
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default_pf.aspx?accession=0179-222&docClass=MW
[printer friendly]
Land Patent Details
Names On Document
Miscellaneous Information
Land Office:
US Reservations:
Mineral Reservations:
Tribe:
Militia:
State In Favor Of:
Authority:
Lecompton
No
No
---
Captain Baylies Company Louisiana Militia
---
March 3, 1855: ScripWarrant Act of 1855 (10 Stat. 701)
HARPER, SIMEON,RONQUILLE, ROSALIE,RONQUILLE, MANUEL
Military Rank:
---
Document Numbers
Survey Information
Document Nr:
Misc. Doc. Nr:
BLM Serial Nr:
Indian Allot. Nr:
55781
---
---
---
Total Acres:
Survey Date:
Geographic Name:
Metes/Bounds:
160.00
---
---
No
Land Descriptions
Patent Image [transcribed]:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:
WHEREAS, in pursuance of the Act of Congreee, approved March 3, 1855, entitled " An
Act in addition to certain Acts granting Bounty Land to certain Officers and Soldiers who have been engaged
in the military service of the United States," there has been deposited in the GENERAL LAND OFFICE,
Warrant No. 55781 for 160 acres, in favor of Rosalie Ronquille
Widow of Manuel Ronquille Sergeant Captain Baylie's Company
Louisiana Militia War 1812.
with evidence that the same has been duly located upon the East half of the South east quarter
of Sections Fourteen and the North half of the North east quarter of Section
Twenty three in Township Twenty one of Range Twenty four in the District
of Lands formerly subject to sale at Lecompton now Topeka Kansas
containing One hundred and sixty acres.
according to the Official Plat of the Survey of said Lands to the GENERAL LAND OFFICE by
the SURVEYOR GENERAL the said warrant having been assigned by the said Rosalie
Ronquille to Simeon Harper in whose favor said tract has been located
NOW KNOW YE, That there is therefore granted by the UNITED STATES unto the said
Simeon Harper as assignee as aforesaid and to his heirs
the tract of Land above described: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract of Land, with the appurtenances
thereof, unto the said Simeon Harper as assignee as aforesaid and to his
heirs and assigns foreever.
In testimony whereof, I, Abraham Lincoln
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, have caused these Letters to be made Patent,
and the SEAL OF THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE to be hereunto affixed.
GIVEN under my hand, at the CITY OF WASHINGTON, the twenty second day
of August in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty two , and of the INDEPENDENCE
OF THE UNITED STATES the eighty seventy
BY THE PRESIDENT: Abraham Lincoln
...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 March 1863
Enos Mills and wife to Simeon Harper
Description of Tract: 60 acres from off East side NW ¼ Sec 18 Tp 22 Re 25
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL2-V99V-P?i=228&cat=627981
Film # 008198383
Linn County Deed Book B
p.441-442 [Images 229-230 of 732]
Indenture dated 18 March 1863; recorded 21 March 1863
Enos Mills and his wife [Ann/Anna] of Linn County, Kansas to Simeon Harper of the same place
For 250 dollars, 60 acres
p.441
… All that certain peice or parcel of Land situated
in Linn County State of Kansas and known and described
on the Government Survey as Sixty acres from off the East
side of the North West Quarter of Section No Eighteen (18) Township
No Twenty Two (22), Range No twenty five (25) according to
Government Survey. …
p.442
…
This foregoing deed from Enos Mills to Simeon Harper
was duly filed & recorded with a $ 50 cent Revenue Stamp
placed thereon this 21st day of March AD 1863
Note: Written vertically along the left margin of page 441 is “See Recorded Book 2 Page 351”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 September 1865
Simeon Harper and wife to Andrew Winegar
Description of Tract: North West quarter of Section Thirteen in Township Twenty one of Range Twenty four.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL2-V93C-V?i=649&cat=627981
Film # 008198383
Linn County Deed Book C
p.639-640 [Image 650 of 732]
deed dated 12 September 1865 ; recorded 12 September 1865
Simeon Harper and Mary Ann his wife to Andrew Winegar
for $725, 160 acres
p.639
Know all men, that Simeon Harper and Mary Ann Harper
his wife of the County of Linn and State of Kansas in consideration
of the sum of Seven Hundred and Twenty five Dollars ($725.00) to
them paid by Andrew Winegar of the same place, the receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged, do hereby bargain, sell and convey to
the said Andrew Winegar and to His heirs and assigns forever
the following Real Estate viz: The North West quarter of Section thirteen
(13) in Township No Twenty one (21) of Range No Twenty four (24)
Containing one Hundred and Sixty acres of Land More or less,
According to Government survey, and situated in the County of Linn
And State of Kansas, ...
In witness whereof, the said Simeon Harper and Mary Ann
Harper His wife have hereunto set their hands and seals this
twelfth day of September in the year Eighteen Hundred and Sixty
five.
Signed sealed and acknowl= Simeon Harper {Seal]
her
=edged, in the presence of Mary Ann X Harper {Seal}
mark
John Walfinger
J R Vanzandt
...
p.640
The foregoing Deed from Simeon Harper to Andrew Winegar was Stamped
according to law and was filed for record on the 12th day of September
1865 and is duly recorded .
J. R. Vanzandt
Register of Deeds
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maps showing the location of Simeon Harper's land:
I. Plat book of Linn County, Kansas 1906
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/209428
page 2 of plat book:
Outline Map of Linn County, Kansas 1906
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/209428/page/3
page 23 of plat book:
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/209428/page/19
Township 21 South, Ranger 24 East
L. L. Saunders - E 1/2 of SE 1/4 of Sec 14 - 80 acres (these 80 acres owned by Simeon Harper in 1865)
L. L. Saunders - NE 1/4 of Sec 23 - 160 acres (80 acres, the N 1/2 of these 160 acres, owned by Simeon Harper in 1865)
Fisher Cemetery is located on the western side of Section 23, in the northwest corner of Emily Kline's 98.5 acres. There are a lot of missing headstones. It is presumed that Simeon was buried here. Probably also buried here was his youngest child Frederick, who died as an infant between 1860 and 1865, and second son Anderson, who died of "lung fever" in 1870. Simeon Harper Junior, who seems to have disappeared from the records between 1865 and 1870, probably died as a young teen and may also have been buried here.
II. ACME MAPPER 2.0
SE corner of Sec 14 and NE corner of Sec 23 of T 21 S, R 24 E
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Civil War
The older sons of Simeon Harper, and even Simeon himself, saw limited military service during the war.
Jesse Harper served for several months in Company G of the the Seventh Kansas Cavalry (originally designated the Kansas First Volunteer Cavalry). Records say he enlisted on 1 September 1861 with the rank of private and was mustered into service on 12 October at Fort Leavenworth by Lt. Bowman. His description at enlistment was: age 24, 5' 9", dark hair, dark eyes, light complexion, occupation: farmer, nativity: Missouri[sic]. In the REMARKS column, it says he deserted at Fort Leavenworth on 28 May 1862. (This was just before the regiment was shipped out to Mississippi.)
[See http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/227664/page/62 : Descriptive roll, Seventh Regiment, Cavalry, Kansas Civil War volunteers, volume 6 - 62, Company G. (Jesse is the 14th name down on the list.)]
Anderson, Simeon, and apparently Jacob had short stints in the Kansas militia.
Anderson served in Capt. Herbert Robinson's Cavalry, Company D in the 1st Battn. 1st Provisional Regiment, Kansas State Militia. The men of Company D were sworn in on Sept. 28, 1863 at Mound City. Most of the men, including Anderson, served for thirty-four days. Under REMARKS it states "Pay due for horse and horse equipments furnished by himself." [See http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/227844/page/66 ]
Earlier in September, an "A. Harper"--presumably Anderson--had served in Capt. David Lindsey's Company C, 1st Battn. 1st Provisional Regiment, Kansas State Militia. The men of Company C were sworn in on Sept. 3, 1863 at Potosi (a now extinct town located about two miles east of Pleasanton.). "A. Harper" served for only 8 days. Eight other men of Co. C also served for short periods before joining Co. D on Sept. 28th. [See http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/227844/page/64 ]
Both Simeon Harper and "J. Harper"--presumably Jacob--served in Capt. Samuel Griffitt's Company B, 1st Battalion, Irregular Kansas State Militia for 11 days from 16 Oct to 27 Oct 1864. [See http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/228046/page/37 ] Company B was one of five or so companies organized specifically to aid in the defense of Mound City in Linn County against Rebel attack on the evening of the October 24th and the morning of the October 25th before the Battle of Mine Creek. See below.
The Sterling Price Raid
The most significant events to occur in Linn County, Kansas were the Battle of Marais des Cygnes and the Battle of Mine Creek on 25 October 1864, plus the associated scouring of the surrounding land by Confederate foragers in the periods before and between the two battles.
After their defeat at the Battle of Westport on 23 October 1864, the Confederate army under the command of Major General retreated south, more-or-less following along the Kansas-Missouri border, and on the 24th entered the northeastern part Linn County. While the rest of the army continued southward, part of it camped at Trading Post on the Marais des Cygnes River. Parties of foragers spread out to look for desperately needed supplies, in the process damaging or destroying the property of the local inhabitants. Their foraging ranged several miles to the south and west of the river, evidently reaching even beyond Simeon Harper's farm.
The following is a recollection of the impact Confederate soldiers had on a couple of families living only a mile or two miles east of Simeon Harper:
Mitchell, William Ansel.. Linn County, Kansas, a history. Kansas City: Presswork done by Campbell-Gates of Kansas City, c1928.
p.306 HANNAH WORDEN AT THE BATTLE OF MINE CREEK
[Note: Worden aka Warden]
...
Hannah Worden was then a little girl who had a nutting
holiday spoiled by the running battle. As Mrs. Hannah
Worden Wickham she now tells about it as follows: On the
morning of the 24th of October [1864] I went with my grandmother [Hannah Day]
and sister [Hulda] to the Marais des Cygnes, at the mouth of the
Big Sugar Creek to gather nuts. About four o'clock
in the afternoon we heard what we supposed was thunder,
but the air soon became full of smoke and hurrying out of
the woods into the road we saw two merchants from Trading
Post who told us to hurry to a place of safety because there
were thirty thousand rebels at Trading Post who were killing
every one and destroying every thing they came to. So we
commenced unloading our wagon to make it lighter and
hurried the horses on but soon one of the wheels broke down
and we were compelled to abandon the wagon and take the
horses to the timber. Then we went to the home of Mr. Huff [Willis S. Huff/Hough]
and by that time the rebels were seen coming out of the tim-
ber and scattering in all directions all over the valley. About
twenty-five rode up to the door and Mrs. Wm. Baugh [Nancy Hardison Baugh] went
out and asked if that was the militia. They answered, "Yes";
and she said: "You almost scared us to death for we thought
you were rebels." Then one of them asked if there were any
men or guns about the place and on being told there were none
they said, "Well, come on if you want to see the rebels eat" and
then they jumped from their horses and entered the house.
Mrs. Huff [Martha McVey Huff] had just churned and baked a large pan of
biscuits which they helped themselves to until there was not
a drop of buttermilk nor biscuit left. Then they took every-
thing eatable from the house, and all the men's clothing and
then asked what we were crying for. Mrs. Baugh [Nancy] said: "Oh,
just see what the rebels are doing over at my house," which
was a half a mile distant, and they told us if we had homes
we had better go to them and save everything we could. So
I started home with Mrs. Baugh and the rest stayed with Mrs.
Huff. We had gone only about half way when we met five
rebels taking a young man with them. We asked what they
were going to do with him and they said he was their prisoner
and that we could consider ourselves prisoners and they would
send a guard with us to the house. So two men were sent with
us and when we reached the house we found it broken into
and almost every movable thing taken out or destroyed. The
fields were full of men, some digging potatoes, some pulling
cabbage and corn, some killing hogs and chickens. It was
soon dark and the men told us to fix our fires and go to bed,
which we did, first fastening the doors with fence rails and
chairs. We sat up in bed all night for we could not sleep.
p.307 A HUNGRY HORDE OF LOOTERS
Mrs. Baugh and I being alone with two little children [Henry T. and John M.], one
and two years old, who were crying for something to eat.
About 4 o'clock in the morning, October 25th, the rebels de-
manded us to open the doors and let them in. About thirty
came in and asked me to mix some bread for them, but I
told them I had nothing to mix it in so they got an old tin
wash-pan and one man poured in flour and another water and
I mixed it with my hand. They would take it as fast as I
mixed it and cook it on sticks over a fire or on hot coals.
After they had finished eating I went to the door and saw
a crowd of rebels tearing down the fence and asked the men
inside what was going to be done. One of them answered:
"We're going to have a little fight--do you care?" We asked
what we should do and they said: "Take some fire and quilts
and go down under the bank and stay till the battle is over."
We did not wait for any fire but took took quilts and hurried to
the bank and laid there there till the skirmish was over. When
we came out in the afternoon we saw some Union soldiers
and they helped us over to the bluffs west of Pleasanton.
We went to the home of Mr. [Wm.] Baugh's father [Bartlett Baugh] and got some-
thing to eat, the first we had since early the morning
before. At night we went to our home and found it almost
entirely destroyed, and the sides of the house torn down and
every hogs and chicken killed and the fences destroyed. There
was not even a hill of potatoes left on the farm. We had to
come to Mound City to get something to eat and beds to
sleep on. We then lived on the Al. Umphrey [Albert Lemuel Humphrey] farm north of
Pleasanton.
...
Notes:
Mr. Huff was Willis Sanford Huff (aka Hough) (b.1833). His parents were Robert Wilkes Hough and Julia Jackson.
[A Julia I[?] Huff obtained land covering SE1/4 S24 T21S R24E. (See https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32488-3341-51?cc=2074276&wc=M7W9-166:356162501,356181301 image 124 of 251) An Eliza P. Huff obtained land covering NE1/4 S25 T21S R24E (See image 125 of 251)]
...
The Sterling Price Raid Claims of Simeon Harper
After the war, Kansas residents put in claims for property damaged by the Rebels during the Price raid. Payments were also made for men called into militia units.
http://books.google.com/books?id=qlsvAAAAYAAJ
Report of the Price raid commissioner: containing complete alphabetical lists of all Union military scrip, interest certificates, and all claims filed; also, all state legislation on the subject; and the report of the Hardie commission. Report made in accordance with act approved March 5, 1887
Kansas. Price Raid Commissioner, John Curtis Caldwell, United States. Hardie Commission
Kansas Publishing House, 1889 - History - 516 pages
Interpretation of the data in the tables.
Table 6 (p.491 of the Report) indicates that Simeon Harper entered a claim for 300 for damages done by the enemy. This amount was reduced by the Examining Committee to 150 dollars.
Table 1 (p.163 of the Report) indicates Simeon Harper was issued scrip for 150 dollars for damages. But the "present owner", Chas. N. Rix, appears to have filed for payment in the amount of $20.
Table 2 (p.438 of the Report) indicates that Simeon Harper had 130 dollars in scrip outstanding, meaning neither he nor anyone else presented the remaining scrip for payment.
Table 1 (p.163 of the Report) also shows Simeon Harper was issued 7 dollars in scrip for militia services. Simeon would have been about age 52 in 1864. He served for eleven days--16 Oct to 27 Oct 1864 in Capt. Samuel Samuel Griffitt's Company B of the 1st Battalion of the Irregular Regiment of the Kansas State Militia. Company B was one of five companies organized specifically to defend Mound City in Linn County against attack by the Rebels on the 24th and 25th of October 1864. Serving alongside Simeon in this company was "J. Harper", who was probably Simeon's son Jacob.
The amount was paid to James D. Snoddy. His name appears quite frequently in the table as the person "TO WHOM PAID".
Excerpts:
P.477
COMPLETE ALPHABETICAL LIST OF ALL CLAIMS, OTHER THAN FOR SERVICE,
That Have been Presented, With the Allowances Made by the First Commission, the Examining Commission, and the Hardie Commission.
TABLE NO. 6.
...
http://books.google.com/books?id=qlsvAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA491
or
AUDITING COMMISSIONER'S REPORT 49[1]
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF ALL CLAIMS, &c.--CONTINUED.
Allotted by Allotted by Allotted by
Amount Price Raid Examining Hardie Remarks.
Name of claimant. County. Nature of claim. claimed. Commission. Commission. Commission.
...
p.491
Harper, Simeon Linn Damages by enemy 300 00 300 00 150 00 ---------- --------
...
Claims made by some neighbors of Simeon Harper:
p.479
Baugh, Bartlett Linn Damages by enemy 425 00 425 00 425 00 ---------- --------
Baugh, John " " " 1,607 60 1,537 60 1,000 00 ---------- --------
Baugh, William A " " " 521 40 421 40 421 40 ---------- --------
p.485
Day, Hannah Linn Damages by enemy 270 25 250 00 250 00 ---------- --------
Day, Joseph E " " " 506 75 506 75 506 75 ---------- --------
p.493
Hough, Willis S Linn Damages by enemy 1,153 00 1,153 00 800 00 ---------- --------
[aka Huff]
p.515
Worden, Elisha Linn Damages by enemy 331 00 331 00 331 00 ---------- --------
[aka Warden - father of Hannah Worden Wickham]
Notes on the above neighbors:
http://www.kshs.org/p/land-records-and-maps/11083
KHS - Land Records and Maps
[Vol. 26, images 124 & 125 of 251]
Simeon Harper had 160 acres covering E1/2 SE1/4 S14 & N1/2 NE1/4 S23 T21S R24E
Bartlett Baugh had acres covering SE1/4 S23 T21S R24E amd maybe more
John Baugh had acres covering NE1/4 S24 T21S R24E amd maybe more
John F. Cady had 160 acres covering NE1/4 T21s R24E {He married Sarah C. Baugh, dau of Bartlett, 8 Sept 1862]
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32488-3086-32?cc=2074276&wc=M7WS-MTL:356162501,356182501[vol. 27, image 19]
Willis S Hough - NE1/4[?] S17 T21S R25E
[Vol. 27, image 23]
Joseph E. Day - E1/2 NW1/4 & Lots 1 & 2 S30 T21S R25E
--------------
Kansas State Militia (KSM)
Muster rolls, Kansas State Militia, volume 10
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/228046/page/35
1st Battalion of the Irregular KSM, Company A, Capt. John T. Alexander, from 15 Oct 1864 to 27 Oct 1864 - 13 days in actual service
15 Baugh, John Sr. (Priv.)
...
65 Warden, Elisha (Priv.)
--------------
Bartlett Baugh - Born 15 July 1809 in Edgefield, South Carolina to John Baugh and Elizabeth Taylor. He married Elizabeth Dillon and had 14 children. He died on 21 Oct 1875 at age 66 yrs, 3 mos, and 6 days, and is buried in Fisher Cemetery, Potosi, Twp, Linn Co., Kansas.
1860 census: Potosi Twp, p.57; W A Baugh, age 26, b.Ky; wife Nancy, age 20, b.Ky
1860 census: Potosi Twp, p.62;Willis Huff, age 27, b.Ind; wife Martha, age 28
1870 census; Elk Falls Twp, Howard Co., KS, p.3; Hough, W. S., age 37, b.Ind; wife Martha, age 38, b.Ind
1860 census: Potosi Twp, p.65; E Worden [Warden], age 45, b.Ny; wife Nancy, age 41, b.Ny; dau Hannah, age 12, b.Wis
1880 census: Mound City, p.7, Wickham, Hannah, age 30 (head); b.Wis
1900 census: Mound City Twp.; Wickham, James P.[or H.], age 62; wife Hannah, b.Oct 1848 in Wis, age 51, m. 29 yrs
----------------
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/228046
Muster rolls, Kansas State Militia, volume 10
These are Civil War muster rolls for the Kansas State Militia. The troops
listed in this volume saw action during Price's Raid in October 1864. The lists
may include name, rank, age, when and where the person mustered in, and
remarks. For a list of this volume's contents, click on the Text Version button
below.
Creator: Kansas. Adjutant General's Office
Date: 1864
...
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/228046/page/37
[Page 761]
Muster rolls, Kansas State Militia, volume 10 - 37
MUSTER ROLL of Captain SAMUEL GRIFFITT , Company B , of the 6th[crossed out] Regiment, IRREGULAR Kansas State Militia,
Colonel , from the
SIXTEENTH day of OCTOBER 186 4 , when last mustered, to the TWENTY-SEVENTH day of OCTOBER 186 4
[note: Maj. Thompkins is Major Christopher C. Thompkins]
JOINED AND SWORN IN | ORDERED INTO ACTIVE SERVICE. | RELIEVED FROM DUTY | No. of Days in
NAMES WHEN. WHERE. | WHEN. WHERE. BY WHOM. | WHEN. BY WHOM. | Actual Service
...
1 Andrews, D. C. Oct. 16" Mound City Oct. 16' Mound City Maj. Tompkins Oct. 27' Maj. Tompkins 11
...
20 Harper, Simeon Oct. 16" Mound City Oct. 16' Mound City Maj. Tompkins Oct. 27' Maj. Tompkins 11
21 Harper, J. " " " " " " " "
[Presumably"Harper, J." was Jacob Harper, son of Simeon Harper.]
...
Subina Harper's future husband was William Mallon.
William Mallon of Paris Township, Linn County, Kansas, was only 15 years old where he enlisted in Company C, 16th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry on 18 September 1863.
A Thomas Mallon, age 44, presumably his father, enlisted at the same time.
[See http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/227705/page/41
Descriptive roll, Sixteenth Regiment, Cavalry, Kansas Civil War volunteers, volume 2 - 41
William Mallon is the seventh name on the list. Thomas Mallon is the eighth name.
See also http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/227819/page/23
Muster out roll, Sixteenth Regiment, Cavalry, Kansas Civil War Volunteers, volume 3 - 23
line 22 is Thomas Mallon - mustered out at age 47
line 23 is William Mallon - mustered out at age 17 ]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1865 and Thereafter
1865 Kansas State Census, Potosi Township, Linn County; enumeration date: 14 June 1865:
Value of Value of Married or
Names Age Sex Occupation Real Estate Personal Estate Place of Birth Single
135 140 Simion Harper 53 M Farmer 700 Virginia M
Mary A Harper 47 F Ohio M
Jacob Harper 18 M Missouri S
Noah Harper 15 M Missouri S
John W Harper 14 M Missouri S
Sabina Harper 13 F Missouri S
Simion Harper 11 M Missouri S
Louisa Harper 10 F Missouri S
Geo Harper 8 M Kansas S
Note: Frederick, who was only 7 months old in the 1860 census, was apparently deceased by June 1865.
Anderson Harper had married Harriet Bunch and by 1865 most likely was heading his own household in Linn County, but he cannot be found in this census.
1865 Kansas State Census, Paris Township, Linn County; enumeration date: 17 August 1865:
Value of Value of Married or
Names Age Sex Occupation Real Estate Personal Estate Place of Birth Single
484 490 Robert Brown 27 M Farm hand 80 Tennessee M
Susan Brown 24 F Ohio M
4-- 491 Thomas Brown 26 M Farm hand 80 Tennessee M
Elizabeth Brown 22 F Missouri M
Serah F Brown 4 F Nebraska S
Bethena Brown 7/12 F Kansas S
Phila Mcnight 13 F Missouri S
Notes: Susan Harper Brown and her husband Robert had no children in 1865.
Robert Brown and Thomas Brown were brothers. They and their families apparently were living in the same dwelling in 1865.
Robert Anderson Brown and Thomas Ellmore Brown are next found in Parks' Bar Township, Yuba County, California, where they were registered as voters on 9 September 1768.
The following year, Robert and another brother, Jacob Cantrel Brown, were found in Grand Island, No. 2, Colusa County, where they were registered as voters on 31 August 1869.
Robert Anderson Brown died just two weeks later:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76896498
Robert Anderson Brown
BIRTH 2 May 1837
Tennessee, USA
DEATH 15 Sep 1869 (aged 32)
Sutter County, California, USA
BURIAL
Stohlman Cemetery
Sutter County, California, USA
MEMORIAL ID 76896498
The 1870 census shows Robert's brothers Thomas and Jacob Brown living in Butte Township, Sutter County, California.
Unfortunately, nothing further is known of Susan Harper Brown. She may have died before or about the same time as Robert. She cannot be found in any 1870 census. It appears that Susan and Robert had no children.
------------
Simeon Harper died intestate on 18 October 1865.
In Linn County probate court on 17 January 1866, his heirs were listed as:
Anderson, Jacob, Noah, John W., Subina, Simeon, Louisa, George & Susan Brown, all residents of Kansas; and
Jessey Harper, Pheoby Jane Andrews, residents of Missouri.
See also
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9RC-L6C8?i=227&cat=645056
Film # 007666281
Probate records, v. B 1861-1866
p.417-419 [Images 228-229 of 752]
Inventory of the Estate of Simeon Harper des’d
Filed January 18th 1866 by Henry Blackburn Administrator
...
Real estate: E ½ SE ¼ & N ½ NE ¼ Sec 14 T21 R24 – 160 acres
...
p.419-422 [Images 229-231 of 752]
The Appraisement of the Estate of Simeon Harper deceased
Filed January 18th 1866 by Henry Blackburn Admr.
...
p.422 [Image 231 of 752]
Sale Bill of the Estate of Simeon Harper des’d
Filed February 1st 1866 by Henry Blackburn Admr.
Sale Bill:
Of the Personal Property of Simeon Harper dec’d at his late
Residence on the 29th day of January 1866 in Potosi Town-
Ship Linn County Kansas. P. T. Sappington [clerk]
Names of Purchasers Articles Sold Amount
...
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9RC-LDLJ?i=461&cat=645056
Film # 007666281
Probate journal, v. D 1863-1869
Harper Simeon 104-6-7; 116; 140 [Images 462-463; 469; 481 of 752]
In 1866, the estate of Simeon Harper was sued four times:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9RC-LD1H?i=287&cat=645056
Probate Journal D 1863-69
p.104 [Image 462 of 752]
February Term 1866
O. C. Bender Plaintiff vs Estate of Simeon Harper des’d
Demand $17.43
...
p.106 [Image 463 of 752]
March Term 1866
Henry Blackburn Plaintiff vs The Estate of Simeon Harper Deft.
Demand $5.62
March 5th 1866
...
p.107 [Image 463 of 752]
March Term 1866
Hiram Irwin Plaintiff vs Estate of Simeon Harper Deft.
Demand $10.00
March 5th 1866
...
p.116 [Image 469 of 752]
June Term 1866
R. S. Kelso vs The Estate of Simeon Harper Decd
Demand $8.00
June 5th 1866
...
In 1867, Anderson Harper sued the estate of Simeon Harper:
p.140 [Image 481 of 752]
January Term 1867
Anderson Harper vs Simeon Harper
Demand $102.00
The court adjudged that the Plaintiff [Anderson Harper] recover $10.00.
Jan 12 1867
...
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9RC-LXC7?i=684&cat=645056
Film # 007666281
Probate Journal E 1863-68
p.313-314 [Images 685-686 of 752]
p.313
February Term 1867. Probate Court, Linn County, Kansas
Annual Settlement of Henry Blackburn Administrator of the
Estate of Simeon Harper deceased.
...
note: the following excerpted items correspond to the above lawsuits:
Jan 29 1866 No 7 By Discount in two purchases at 10 per cent on $56.20 $5.62
...
July 3 1866 No 20 By cash paid Dr. Bender Medical Services 17.43
Aug 6 “ “ 21 “ Dr. Kelso Medical Services 8.00
Aug “ “ “ 22 “ Hiram Irwin for coffin 10.00
p.314
...
(Signed) Henry Blackburn
Feby 4 1867
Probate Journal E 1863-68
p.397-398 [Images 728-729 of 752]
p.397
April Term of Probate Court for Linn County Kansas
2d Anual Settlement of Henry Blackburn }
adminr of the Estate of Simeon Harper Dcd }
...
Feb 4th 1867 To amt of Notes uncollected as per
Settlement
May 7 [1868] Mary Ann Sooter as per order of C. C. Tomkins 50.00
...
Apl 15, 1868.
...
p.398
...
On this day Henry Blackburn
admr of said Estate made his 2d Anual Settlement
with the same, and a balance of one hundred
and ninty six 24/100 dollars is found in his hands
due said Estate consisting of uncollected notes.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9RC-LS7T-S?i=273&cat=645056
Probate Journal 1 1866-72
p.229 [Image 274 of 873]
Linn County, Kansas, April Term, 1869
Monday April 5th 1869
In the matter of the Estate }
of Simeon Harper Decd. } Final Settlement
H. Blackburn Admr. }
... Final settlement of
Said estate was made, and a balance of $113.73
was found in his hands due the estate which he
is ordered to distribute to the parties Entitled thereto
according to law -- D Underhill Probate Judge
Probate Journal 1 1866-72
p.354 [Image 337 of 873]
Wednesday April 6th 1870
In the Matter of the Estate } Distribution of Shares
of Simeon Harper Deceased }
Now comes Henry Blackburn
Administrator of the Estate of Simeon Harper Deceased
and Depposited on file his Vouchers from the heirs
of Said Deceased of their Distributive Shares of Said
Estate
Simeon's place of burial is not known with certainty, but in 1998 Ola May Earnest of the Linn County Historical Society speculated that he was buried in nearby Fisher Cemetery, which is located in the NW1/4 SW1/4 Sec 23 T21S R24E. She wrote, "There are many unmarked graves in this Cem. & several of the old stones have been broken. . . . As for the stones under the tree [see below] -- many are only pieces."
From 100 Cemeteries and Burial Sites in Linn County, Kansas (c.1987) by the Linn County Historical Society, page 433:
Note: The italicized words below are handwritten notations added to the original text in 1998 by Ola May Earnest.
[Fisher Cemetery]
Row 17
Lot 5--George Pulver
The following stones are under a tree:
George C Pulver d. 28 Mar 1876 33y 6m 18d
Footstone--A M P
J(Roberts) Ward wf of H. d. [broken off]
D W Annis sn of D & H d. 31 Jan 1876 2y 6m 21d
Footstone--A H (Anne Hart?) ["Anne Hart" is crossed through] ---probably Anderson Harper d. 1870
Three stones unreadable ---? Could be Simeon Harper -- d. 18 Oct 1865
? " " Mary Ann Harper Souter d. 1879
At his death Simeon still possessed those same 160 acres comprising the N1/2 NE1/4 of Sec 23 (80 acres) and the E1/2 SE1/4 of Sec 14 (80 acres) in T21S and R24E.
On 13 December 1866, Simeon's widow Mary Ann Harper married John B. Souter at her residence in Linn County.
[See https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-16087-79982-59?cc=1851040&wc=M6VS-WTG:166159801,166183801
Kansas County Marriages, 1855-1911> Linn > Marriage records, 1865-1870, v. 1 > Image 25 of 184 ]
[John B. Souter had served 15 days in Capt. James Miller's Company C, Irregular Kansas State Militia, from Oct 13th to Oct. 27th, 1864.
See http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/228046/page/42 , line 81 Souter, B. John ]
In a petition to the court dated 2 December 1867, Mary Ann Souter, formerly Mary Ann Harper and widow of Simeon Harper, requested financial support for three children under the age of sixteen who were in her care and control, namely, Simeon Harper, Louisa Harper, and George Harper.
On 5 January 1869, Mary Ann Souter (formerly Mary Ann Harper) and her husband John B. Souter sold for $450 to Jesse Harper "The undivided one half of the East half of the East half of the South East quarter of Section fourteen, And the North half of the North East quarter of Section twenty three, all in township twenty one, Range twenty four" (Linn County Deed Book F, page 504).
Simeon Harper's estate was finally settled in 1869, with each child receiving a distribution from the estate amounting to just $5.19 each. On 25 June 1869 Jesse Harper and Subina Mallon each signed a receipt for $5.19. That same day Jesse also signed for his brothers Noah and Jacob. Phebe J. Andrews signed on 23 August 1869. John W. Harper signed on 27[?] January 1870. Jesse Harper signed for his deceased brother Anderson (see below) on 29 March 1870. That same day Jesse also signed for his sister Susan Brown. This is the last known reference to Susan. On a date not given, Henry Blackburn received $15.60 for Simeon Harper junior, George Harper, and Louisa Harper. ($5.19 X 3 = $15.57, rounded up to $15.60.) The receipt was signed by Mary Ann Souter "formerly Mary Ann Harper and natural guardian of the above minors". This is the last known reference to Simeon Harper Junior.
Mary Ann Souter's place of residence in the 1870 census has not been determined; nor have the residences of her children Louisa Harper, George Harper, and Simeon Harper Jr. (if still living) been located.
Anderson died in Potosi Township on 5 March 1870 of "lung fever". His wife Harriet also died. Jesse Harper appeared in Linn County probate court on 21 March 1870, and in addition to providing the court with Anderson's date of death, Jesse identified Anderson's minor heirs as Mary Susan Harper and James Albert Harper. In the 1870 census of Linn County, Kansas, James A. Harper, age 3, was living in the household of Mary A. Meaker [Meeker] in Paris Township. Actually, the household of Mary A. Meaker appears to have been enumerated twice with slightly different information in each them. Mary A. Meaker was listed in dwelling 21 and family number 21 in Paris Township on July 26th, in which her age was 42 and her place of birth was Ohio. Included in this household were James A. Harper, age 3, and a Mary Harper, age 10. Both are assumed to have been Anderson's children. However, Mary A. Meaker was listed again in dwelling 107 and family number 97 in Paris Township on July 28th, in which her age was 50 and her place of birth was Pennsylvania. In this particular household there still was James Harper, age 3, but Mary Harper was missing.
We also find in the 1870 census a Mary S. Harper, age 9, presumably Anderson's daughter, living in the household of Jesse Harper, age 33, in Potosi Township. Jesse was living on his father's former land. Also living with Jesse in 1870 were his wife Nancy and their three children, plus Jesse's brothers Noah, age 23, and John W., age 19.
In 1870, D. C. Andrews, age 33, his wife P. J. [Phebe Jane Harper Andrews], age 29, and their three young children lived in Clifton Township, Wilson County, Kansas. Their son Francis M. was born in Kansas in October 1872, according to the 1900 census. California voting records show Dabney Clinton Andrews in Yolo County in 1876 and 1878. Their son William C. was born in California in August 1878, according to the 1900 census. By 1900 they had been living in Oregon for at least eight years.
Phebe J. Andrews died 29 June 1924 in Portland, Oregon [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ4W-FYK ].
On 23 September 1873, Louisa Jane Harper, age 18, married Robert F. Goodin, age 19, in Colusa County, California. [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ3V-NBQ ] In the 1870 census of Cache Creek, Yolo County, there was a Robert F. Goodin, age 16, in the household of William M. Goodin, age 46. Theirr son Albertus/Albertus Gooden was born 2 April 1877. A daughter May Gooden was born in January 1883. Robert died on 1 September 1883[See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=87183991 ], and Louisa then married Joseph Willman on 28 September 1884 in Yolo County [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ31-34M ].
It does not seem likely that an eighteen-year-old Louisa Harper would have journeyed to California by herself. We might speculate that Louisa accompanied her sister and brother-in-law Susan and Robert Brown.
(Louisa's sister Phebe Jane Andrews and her family appear in Colusa and Yolo Counties in the 1870's, but not until after 1874, which would be too late to account for Louisa's marriage in September 1873.)
On 22 October 1871, Noah Harper married Elizabeth Jane Palmer in Bates County, Missouri. (Bates Co., MO adjoins the east side of Linn Co., KS.) Noah lived the rest of his life in Missouri. He married second Permelia Jane Mullins Counts on 29 July 1999 in Eminence, Shannon County, Missouri. He died in 1910. [See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10074574 ]
In 1875 Jesse Harper was living in Valley Township, Linn County, Kansas. In his household were Anna, age 26, who was perhaps his second wife, four children, and Mary A. Harper, age 54, presumably his mother. It would thus seem that Mary's second husband John B. Souter had died and that she had gone back to using the Harper name.
Pleasanton Observer newspaper, 18 January 1879:
Mrs. Harper, who resided with her son
on the Morrison place**, died quite
suddenly of pneumonia on Tuesday of
last week. She was about 65[sic] years of
age.
---------
**There was a John Morrison who had obtained several land patents near the present-day town Boicourt in Valley Township. In 1879 Boicourt was known as Barnard.
Jesse Harper himself may have died within a year of his mother. In the 1880 census his younger children were living with their maternal grandparents John and Susan Terrill in Tarrant County, Texas. [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJ6-3LV ] Jesse's oldest son John W. Harper, age 17, was living in the adjoining household of William R. Terrill, age 34, who was a son of John and Susan Terrill. [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJ6-3LC ]
(The Terrill family was already living in Tarrant County, Texas by the end of 1868, as indicated by the marriage of Nancy Harper's sister Mariah Lou Terrill to William J. Borah on 12 December 1868. The Terrills can also be found in the 1870 census of Tarrant County,Texas. [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXG8-GWT ] )
For the burial places of Jesse and Nancy's children, start at http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=142276662 . The death certificate of their youngest son Jacob lists his mother as "Nancy Terrel" and his date of birth as 22 December 1872. Thus if the Anna in the 1875 Kansas state census was indeed Jesse's second wife, then he married her after Jacob's birth date. Or perhaps Nancy A. used her middle name, which presumably was Anna, for this census, in which case she died after 1875.
On 23 March 1873, John Wesley Harper married Harriet Peterson in Bates Co., Missouri. (Bates Co., MO is just east of Linn Co., KS.)
Marriage information:
Name: John W. Harper
Spouse: Harriet Petterson
Marriage Date: 23 Mar 1873
County: Bates
State: MO
Harriet Peterson's great great grandmother was Eve Elizabeth Harper Moser Peterson. Eve Elizabeth was a daughter of Philip Harper the Pioneer, a contemporary of Adam Harper (d.1820).
In 1875 John W. Harper, age 25, and Harriet, age 27, along with their son Albert, age 2/12, still lived in Potosi Township:
Page No. 14
SCHEDULE 1.--Inhabitants in the Township of Potosi, County of Linn, State of
Kansas, on the first day of March, 1875
POST OFFICE, Pleasanton
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
23 | 1 | 4 | John W Harper | 28 | M | W | Farmer | | 130 | Mo | Mo |
24 | | | Harriett Harper | 27 | F | " | | | | O | Wis |
25 | | | Albert Harper | 2/12 | M | " | | | | Kan | |
Col. 0 - Line No., Col. 1 - Dwelling, Col. 2 - Family No., Col. 3 - Name, Col. 4 Age, Col. 5 - Sex, Col. 6 - Color, Col. 7 - Occupation,
Col. 8 - Value of Real Estate, Col. 9 - Value of Personal Property, Col. 10 - Place of Birth, Col. 11 - Where from to Kansas
Albert, their second son, had been born 20 January 1875. Their first child, Avery Valentine, had been born on and died on 14 February 1874. Their third child, Jesse Clarence Harper, was born 31 July 1878. John Wesley died on 6 March 1879, and Harriet married second Lorenzo G. Blanden on 7 May 1883 in Linn County. [See https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q293-F8WN ]
Albert Harper married three times but never had any children. In 1885, he lived in the Blanden household with his mother and brother in Pottawatomie Township, Franklin Co., Kansas. In 1895, at age 19, he was living in household of J. C. Baker. By 1905 Albert had married and was living in Richmond Twp, Franklin Co. He was still in Richmond Township in 1910 and 1915. In 1930 and 1940 he was living in Valley Township, Miami Co., Kansas. He died 19 January 1966 at Pinecrest Haven Rest Home in Paoli, Miami Co., Kansas.
Jesse C. Harper, with occasional residences elsewhere in his youth, returned as an adult to live in Linn County, Kansas, where he died on 10 May 1940. His family was the last of Simeon's descendants to live in Linn County.
Summary for Jesse Clarence Harper
1. For "Jessee" C Harper in 1880 Linn Co., KS see https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF5W-D8K
Here Jesse, age 2, was living in the household of his widowed maternal grandmother along with his widowed mother and older brother.
x. 1 Mar 1885 Kansas State Census:
Pottawatomie Twp, Franklin Co., Kansas
Harret Blanton 37
L G Blanton 36
Albert Harper 10
Jessie Harper 6
Lida Blankin 1
2. For "Jessie" C Harper in 1900 See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMTK-F6V
Here Jesse, age 21, was living in Pottawatomie Twp, Franklin Co., KS with his mother, step-father, half-sister, and half-brother. His date of birth
was given as "Jul 1878". (His mother Harriet's date of birth was given as "Apr 1848".)
3. Jesse C. Harper married Clara M. Siron at Mound City, Linn Co., KS on 16 December 1908.
See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWLS-4MQ
4. For Jesse C. Harper in 1910 Linn Co., KS see https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2CK-RPJ
5. For Jesse Clarence Harper's WWI Draft Registration card, which is dated 12 Sept 1918,
see https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-26351-11914-86?cc=1968530
Note that his birthday was given as "July 31st 1878".
6. For Jesse C. Harper in 1920 Linn Co., KS see https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF6L-BK2
Note that Jesse was erroneously identified as James S Harper!
7. For J C Harper in 1930 Linn Co., KS see https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7QF-PCS
8. For Jesse C. Harper in 1940 Linn Co., KS see https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRKN-YWB
9.Jesse C Harper is buried in Pleasanton Cemetery, Linn Co., KS. See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56840869
Jacob Harper moved to Holt County, Missouri. There on 4 January 1874, he married Sarah E. Scott. [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V28X-LDJ ]
Their first child was born the next year:
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85034039/1875-10-29/ed-1/seq-3/
The Holt County Sentinel., Oregon, Mo., October 29, 1875, Image 3
[bottom of Column 4]
Births.
...
Born, Aug. 30, '75, to Jacob Harper
and wife--a son.
...
In 1875 Subina Harper Mallon, age 24, her husband William Mallon, age 25, and two sons--Charles, age 4, and George T., age 3--lived in Paris Township.
Subina Mallon and her family, as well as her brother George Harper, also relocated to Holt County, Missouri.
In the 1880 census of Union Township, Holt County, Missouri, a George Harper, age 22, born in Kansas, lived in the household of Elias F. Clark.
George Harper may have spent most of the 1880's in California (although this might be a different individual with the same name):
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90061417/1890-09-12/ed-1/seq-6/
The Holt County sentinel. (Oregon, Mo.) 1883-1980, September 12, 1890, SUPPLEMENT, Image 6
Column 2
...
George Harper, a young man who
left this neighborhood about nine years
ago, and went to California, returned a
short time since, and has decided to
make Missouri his future home.
...
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90061417/1890-10-10/ed-1/seq-4/
The Holt County sentinel. (Oregon, Mo.) 1883-1980, October 10, 1890, Image 4
Column 5
Rush Bottom.
...
--George and Jacob Harper have pur-
chased 80 acres of land lying north of
William Wright's farm. The price paid
was $1100.
...
On 30 December 1890 George married Anna Melissa Golden:
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90061417/1891-01-09/ed-1/seq-1/
The Holt County sentinel. (Oregon, Mo.) 1883-1980, January 09, 1891, Image 1
Column 3
--Married, at the residence of Mrs. L.
Perkins, December 30th, 1890, by Wil-
liam Kaucher, J. P., George Harper and
Annie Golden, of Holt County, Mo.
In the 1900 census of Holt County, George listed his date of birth as October 1858. This makes sense, given that he was listed in the 1860 census of Linn County, Kansas. However, some sources, including his death certificate, incorrectly state that he was born in 1862. On the same page of the 1900 census, Subina listed her date of birth as October 1850. Her death certificate indicated that she born in Jasper Co., Missouri. This is almost certainly an error, given that in the 1850 census the Simeon Harper family was in Crawford Co., Missouri.
In 1878 or 1879, Jacob Harper and his family moved to Colorado City, El Paso County, Colorado, where they can be found in the 1880 census. [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDF-GQN ] However, by 1890 they had returned to Holt County, Missouri. The 1890 Special Census of Union Soldiers indicated that he had served as a private for two months in 1865 in Company G of a Kansas Infantry Regiment. (The number of the regiment he served in was left blank.) [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K83S-FVB , line 23]
Jacob wrote his will on 26 September 1894, and it was proved in court just two and one-half months later on 10 December 1894. He appointed his son C. E. Harper to be executor. (Holt Co. Will Book B, p.371-372.)
In accordance with the Act of May 1, 1920, Subina Mallon was listed as the Army Widow of William [Mallon] who served as a private in Company C of the 16th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. Subina's death was recorded on the cards as 2 August 1923.
United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933
Description: Index and images of cards used by the Bureau of Pensions and Veterans Administration to record the payment of pensions to veterans, widows and other dependents. The collection is part of RG 15 Records of the Veterans Administration and is NARA microfilm publication M850.]
Mary Harper--Anderson's daughter--married A. C. "Acy" Wycoff on 10 April 1879 at Mound City, Linn Co., Kansas. [See https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FW2L-CXC ]
As an adult, James Harper--Anderson's son--lived in Holt County, Missouri. In 1900 he was a border in the household of William and Subina Mallon. His date of birth was listed as February 1867. In 1940, "Jimmy", age 73, was living with his uncle George Harper, age 77. [See https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K7QJ-YLF ]
Additional Sources and Notes
Noah Harper
find-a-grave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10074574
descendants: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=skamm&id=I14292
Death Certificate of Lue J. Busbey - August 13, 1951, Dent Co., MO:
https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1951/1951_00026504.PDF
Lou Jane Busbey
Marital status: Widowed
Date of birth: 27 Feb 1880
Place of birth: Missouri
Date of death: 13 Aug 1951
Place of death: Rural-Shortbend Twp, Dent Co., MO
Father’s name: Noah Harper
Mother’s name: Palmer
Name of husband: John Busbey
Informant: Alpha Givens, Salem, Missouri [Salem, Dent Co., MO]
Burial: 8-14-51, Oakside Cemetery, Summerville, Missouri [Summersville, Shannon Co., MO]
George Harper
find-a-grave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=79814379
Death Certificate: http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1941/1941_00002743.PDF
Subina Harper Mallon
find-a-grave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=148089688
Death Certificate: http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1923/1923_00027328.PDF
Louisa Harper Goodin Willman
find-a-grave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=87673240
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VG5D-TFT
Louise Willman in California Death Index, 1940-1997
Name: Louise Willman
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 28 Dec 1940
Event Place: Yolo, California, United States
Birth Date: 06 Sep 1856
Birthplace: Kansas
Gender: Female
Father's Name: Harper
Below are two biographies of Joseph Willman and his wife Louisa Harper. Although informative, there is much misinformation about Louisa's father Simeon Harper, most notably that he was born in Germany. The reference to "Lafayette, Mo" no doubt comes from a muddled recollection of Fayette County, Ohio and Louisa's birthplace of Missouri. Louisa's settling in California in 1873 is essentially correct, based on the date of her marriage to Robert F. Goodin. But she certainly could not have come to California with her father Simeon, who had died in 1865.
https://books.google.com/books?id=ZqlCAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA765&lpg=PA765&dq=Simeon+Harper
History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California: An Historical Story of the State's Marvelous Growth from Its Earliest Settlements to the Present Time : Also Containing Biographies of Well-known Citizens of the Past and Present
James Miller Guinn
Chapman, 1906 - California - 1712 pages
p.765
JOSEPH WILLMAN. ...
September 28, 1883[sic-1884], Mr. Willman was married
in Yolo county to Louisa Harper, who is a native
of Missouri, and the daughter of Simeon Harper,
a native of Germany. Mr. Harper came to the
United States as a young man and engaged in
farming in Kansas until 1873, when he came to
this state and settled near College City, Colusa
county. Four children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Willman, viz.: Bert G., who resides near
the home place; Clara D., who married Herman
West, and lives near Dunnigan; Lena and Floyd,
both at home. ...
---------------------------------------------------------------
https://books.google.com/books?id=PnAUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA584&lpg=PA584&dq=Simeon+Harper
History of Yolo County, California: With Biographical Sketches of the Leading Men and Women of the County, who Have Been Identified with Its Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present
Thomas Jefferson Gregory
Historic Record Company, 1913 - Yolo County (Calif.) - 889 pages
p.583
JOSEPH WILLMAN
...
p.584
...
The marriage of Mr. Willman was solemnized in Dunnigan,
Yolo county, September 28, 1884, and united him with Mrs. Louisa
(Harper) Goodin, a widow, with one son and a daughter. The
former, Albertus Goodin, is now married and cultivating a part
of the Willman ranch, and the latter, May, is deceased. Simeon
Harper, a native of Germany, immigrated in early life to America
and settled in Lafayette, Mo., where his daughter, Louisa, was
born. Later he engaged in farming in Kansas and from that state
during 1873 she removed to California, where they settled on a
ranch near College City, Colusa county. Mr. and Mrs. Willman
are the parents of three children, namely: Clara Belle, who is the
wife of Herman West and lives in Colusa county; Alena, Mrs. Cot-
ter, of Sacramento; and Joseph Floyd, who remains at home.
...
===================================================================================================
===================================================================================================
This 1914 Fayette County biography of Jacob Harper's daughter Mahala and her son Amos Thornton made mention of Jacob Harper's return from Missouri to visit family in Fayette County, where he then died.
In addition, the list of the children of Jacob Harper and Phebe Harman presented here is the only published reference which included the name of Simeon. "Tana" was a nickname for Christina. The list is not altogether accurate, however. In the first place, the oldest child Jesse, who remained in Pendleton County was overlooked. Second, there was no daughter named Sabina, nor was there a son Jacob. The name of Sabina should be replaced with Eliza J. (who married G. W. Knight). Interestingly, Simeon himself did have a daughter named Sabina/Subina and a son named Jacob.
History of Fayette County, Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions
by Frank M Allen
Published by B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 1914
p.407-408
AMOS THORNTON.
From the pioneer period through many decades, Amos Thornton has
been identified with the business and material interests of Fayette county
and Washington C. H. and he has won for himself an honorable position in
the circles in which he has moved. Not a pretentious or exalted life has
been his, but one that has been true to itself and to which the biographer
may revert with feelings of respect and satisfaction. He is recognized as a
man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything pertaining
to the advancement of the community along material, civic and moral lines,
and for years he has been recognized as one of the representative nien of
his city and county.
Amos Thornton was born in Union township, Fayette county, Ohio,
within three miles of the court house, on November 27, 1833. His parents
were Thomas B, and Mahala ( Harper) Thornton, who were born and reared
in Virginia. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Amos, the
subject of this sketch; James, of Oklahoma; John Anderson, deceased; William
H., of Washington C. H. ; Elon, living in Washington C. H. ; Thomas,
of near Gallatin, Tennessee; Austin, deceased, and Noah, of Union township.
Thomas B. Thornton was a farmer and acquired the ownership of
about six hundred acres of land in Union township, which he improved and
developed into a valuable estate, and there he died in the ninetieth year of his
age. His widow, who died at the age of eighty-six years, was born in Pen-
dleton county, Virginia, and was a Baptist in her religious faith. Thomas
B. Thornton was a man of good business judgment and unquestioned integrity
and served his county efficiently as county commissioner.
The subject's paternal grandfather came from Norfolk, Virginia, with
his wife, and they settled near Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, where he
died. Eventually his widow came to Fayette county and married again, her
second husband being Mr. Coyle. She died near Van Wert. To the first
union were born two children, James and Thomas. The former possessed a
roving disposition and he drifted away, his subsequent history being unknown.
The subject's maternal grandparents were Jacob and Phoebe (Harmon)
Harper, natives of Pendleton county, Virginia. They came to Fayette
county in 1829[sic], but subsequently moved to Missouri, where the wife died.
Mr. Harper returned to Fayette county and his death occurred in Union
township. To him and his wife were born the following children : Sabina,
Mahala, Tana, Phoebe, Delilah, Simeon, Enos, Elon, Isaac, Jacob, Noah
and John.
...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This 1902 Ross County biography of Jacob Harper's son Elon and Elon's son Jacob may be the earliest published
mention of Jacob Harper's return from Missouri to visit family in Fayette County, where he then died.
https://books.google.com/books?id=1NwyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA506&dq="Jacob+Harper"
The County of Ross: A History of Ross County, Ohio, from the Earliest Days, with Special Chapters on the Bench and Bar,
Medical Profession, Educational Development, Industry and Agriculture and Biographical Sketches, Volume 2
Henry Holcomb Bennett
Selwyn A. Brant, 1902 - Ross County (Ohio) - 736 pages
p.505
...
Jacob Harper was born in Concord township, Ross county, Febru-
ary 9, 1849. His father, Elon Harper, was born in Pendleton
county, W. Va., about 1819, being a son of Jacob Harper, whose birth
occurred in Virginia about the year 1832[sic!]. The latter removed with
his family to Ohio, first settling in Fayette county where he remained
p.506
a few years and then went to Missouri. He spent the rest of his days
in that state, his death occurring while back on a visit to relatives in
Fayette county, Ohio. His son Elon received but a limited educa-
tion and grew to manhood in the counties of Fayette and Ross. He
learned the blacksmith trade, but followed it only irregularly as he
made farming his principal occupation. His wife was Barbara,
daughter of David and Elizabeth (Michael) Ross, who were among
the first settlers of Ross county, coming here form Maryland. Elon
Harper died in 1881, his wife surviving him but a short time and
passing away in 1882. They had a family of ten children, of whom
seven are living and all in Ross county. Among them is Jacob Har-
per, the subject of this sketch. He received the ordinary education
in the common schools of Concord township, and upon his arrival at
full age became a. farmer, like his ancestors before him. In 1875,
he was married to Lydia, daughter of Thomas Ware, of Frankfort,
and the union resulted in the birth of two children, whose names are
Edna and Corda. Mr. Harper is a member of the Masonic order,
being connected with the Frankfort lodge, No. 326.
...
================================================================================================
================================================================================================
Excerpts regarding the skirmishing around Mound City on 24 and 25 October 1864
Rebel Invasion of Missouri and Kansas: And the Campaign of the Army of the Border Against General Sterling Price, in October and November, 1864
Richard Josiah Hinton
Church & Goodman, 1865 - Kansas - 351 pages
...
p.38-39
...
... It was determined by General
Curtis, in order to secure unity of operation and
harmony in management of the forces called out,
to proclaim martial law throughout the State, and
at the same time call into active service those not
reached by the Governor's call:
Head-Quarters, Department Of Kansas, }
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Oct. 10, 1864. }
General Orders, No. 54.
The better to carry out the object of the Governor's
Proclamation, issued this morning, and to secure prompt
and united military organization and action, martial law is
proclaimed to extend throughout the State of Kansas, and
the country occupied by the troops moving therefrom, and
all men, white or black, between the ages of eighteen (18)
and sixty (60), will arm and attach themselves to some of
the organizations of troops, for temporary military service.
...
By command of Major General Curtis.
C. S. Charcot,
[official.] Assistant Adjutant-General.
...
Note: It appears to have been this order which prompted the
creation of the Kansas irregular militia units.
...
p.67
...
Orders were issued directing militia then concen-
trating at Paola, Mound City and Fort Scott, in
view of the probability of Price's moving south
from the vicinity of Lexington, to remain there,
holding themselves in readiness to march at any
moment. ...
p.68
At Mound City, Captain Greer, 15th Kansas, was in
command. He had as garrison sixty men, conva-
lescents, 15th Kansas, and five companies of the
Linn County Militia, two mounted. ...
...
...
p.192
...
Mound City, the county seat of Linn, was eleven
miles west of the Trading Post, which the rebel
advance reached at four P. M. [Oct 24th] Messengers were
sent to warn Captain Green [sic-Greer, Samuel W.], Company "I," l5th
Kansas, who with eighty men of that regiment and
three companies of militia, exempts and negroes, was
holding the place. A detachment, about six hun-
dred strong, was seen moving in that direction.
This was believed to be a bushwhacking force, until
scouts brought intelligence which proved beyond
cavil that it belonged to the rebel army.
Every precaution and preparation was made by
Captain Green [sic-Greer]. His small force was posted so as to
command the approaches. The Government stores
were loaded for removal. Information was sent to
Fort Scott south and to Paola north of the rebel
approach. About this time a dispatch was received
from Colonel Moonlight, who was pressing vigorously
p.193
on to relieve this place. Scouting parties were sent
out, one of whom encountered a rebel picket six
miles from town. Intelligence was received from
Colonel Drake. He was on the march with part of
the 17th Kansas. The 11th K. S. M., Colonel
Mitchell, had joined Colonel Moonlight. The 19th,
Colonel F. W. Potter, was at Paola. About mid-
night Colonel Moonlight reached Mound City,
having marched sixty-five miles without food or
forage.
...
p.223
...
As afterwards appeared, Colonel Moonlight, with
the 11th Kansas volunteers and Lyon county militia,
under Colonel Mitchell, had reached Mound City
about one P. M. [sic-A. M.], having marched sixty-five miles
without rest or food, accomplishing the last thirty
miles in five hours. Here the messenger sent by
General Blunt, directing him to move on to Fort
Scott and hold the place at all hazards, was received.
Captain Greer with the force at his command had
already given a small body of rebels, the evening
before, a taste of his quality. Towards morning,
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel A. Drake, with two
companies of the 17th Kansas, arrived. Colonel
Drake was in command at Paola, and immediately
on learning of the safety of that important post,
had, leaving the 18th K. S. M., Colonel Potter com-
manding, moved with the balance of his force to
Mound City, making a night march, arriving in time
to aid in the defence, by checking a force then
moving up Sugar Creek. As day broke, scouts
arrived with the intelligence that the enemy's
advance, eight hundred strong, were moving direct
towards the post. Moonlight formed a line of battle
p.224
to the north-east of town, and a sharp skirmish
ensued, which resulted in the rapid withdrawal of
the foe—our cavalry pursuing for two miles in the
direction of Price's main army. Manlove, a member
of the militia under Captain Greer, was killed, and
Mr. Williams was severely wounded, during this fight.
From the high prairie, where the 2d Brigade with-
drew and moved towards Fort Scott, they had an
opportunity to witness the magnificent charge made
by Benteen and Phillips at Mine Creek. Moving on
the Telegraph road, Moonlight again encountered
the enemy at Fort Lincoln. They held the heavy
timber, were apparently in force, and after some
sharp skirmishing the 2d Brigade was withdrawn,
its commander leaving a battalion of the 11th
Kansas to watch the enemy, while he moved up the s
tream and flanked them to the west, marching
rapidly to Fort Scott, which he reached at four
P. M. The rebels burned the buildings at Fort
Lincoln, and several houses, robbed the post-office
and store, murdering one of the citizens. At Mound
City, another brush was had with a straggling force.
About 10 A. M., a body of one hundred and fifty
advanced within a half mile of the public square.
Captain Greer sent the militia to meet them. The
rebels took possession of a corn field. Lieutenant
Parks was severely wounded in this movement.
Colonel Drake, with his command, then advanced
into the field, and succeeded in dislodging the enemy,
who fled, leaving some wounded and six prisoners in
p.225
our hands. Captain Greer, with a portion of the
militia, by a flank movement succeeded in capturing
several. Eighteen prisoners were taken. The
danger to the people in and around Mound City was
over; ...
...
----------
[Trivia Alert: Robert J. Harper, son of Joab, son of Adam Jr. (Jacob's oldest brother), came to Kansas in 1859 and settled in Manhattan. He was Commissary of the 11th Kansas Cavalry and may have been stationed at Paola in 1864 when the regiment's colonel, Thomas Moonlight, was sent to defend Mound City from Price's rebels. He had no biological children.
For biographies of Robert J. Harper, see
https://books.google.com/books?id=j080AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA21 [See pages 21 and 22]
For another biography of Robert J. Harper, see
https://books.google.com/books?id=vxI1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA879&lpg=PA879&dq="Joab+Harper"
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties, Kansas: ...
Chapman Brothers, 1890 - Clay County (Kan.) - 1213 pages
pages 879-880 ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077730046&view=1up&seq=328
Title: The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 - Volume 41 (Part I)
Chapter LIII - Price's Missouri Expedition
p.304
...
Oct. 23, 1864.---Engagement at the Big Blue, Mo.
Engagement at Westport, Mo.
25, 1864.---Engagement at the Marais des Cygnes, Kans.
Engagement on Little Osage River, or Mine Creek, Kans.
Engagement at the Marmiton, or battle of Chariot, Mo.
Skirmishes at Mound City and Fort Lincoln, Kans.
28, 1864.---Engagement at Newtonia, Mo.
...
...
p.591
No. 82.
Report of Col. Thomas Moonlight, Eleventh Kansas Cavalry, command-
ing Second Brigade.
HDQRS. 2D BRIG., 1ST Div., ARMY OF THE BORDER,
Paola, Kans., December 16, 1864.
...
p.594
...
Seeing from the route the enemy was taking he must necessarily camp
about the Trading Post and that Mound City was in danger of being
destroyed I pushed on, marching all night, a distance of sixty-five
miles; arrived there at 2 a. m. on the 25th. Early in the morning the
enemy made his appearance but was quickly driven back and the town
saved. ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077730079&view=1up&seq=232
Title: The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 - Volume 41 (Part IV)
...
p.230
SPECIAL ORDERS, } HDQRS. DISTRICT OF SOUTH KANSAS,
No. 1. } Paola, Kans., October 24, 1864.
I. Lieut. Col. S. A. Drake, Seventeenth Regiment Kansas Volunteers,
is hereby temporarily relieved from the command of the post of Paola,
and will turn over to his successor all the books and papers ronnected
with the office.
II. Captain [William B.] Tompkins, Sixteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, will tem-
porarily relieve Lient. Col. S. A. Drake in command of post of Paola.
III. Lieutenant-Colonel Drake will take all the available force in and
about Paola and two days cooked rations, and march at once to Mound
City, Kans. Upon his arrival at that place he will be governed in his
movements by the existing circumstances.
IV. The assistant quartermaster and acting commissary of subsist-
ence will furnish the necessary transportation and subsistence.
By command of Major-General Blunt:
J. E. TAPPAN,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
---------------------------------------------------------
p.243
...
MOUND CITY, October 25, 1864---1.30 a. m.
Major-General CURTIS,
Kansas City, Mo.:
I arrived here about an hour ago, marching sixty-five miles. My
men and horses are completely played out, yet I will keep up the flank
pressure in the morning. An attack is expected here by daylight.
Captain Clark, ordnance officer, is with me, and ammunition is ordered
here early in the morning from Fort Scott. Price still heads directly
for Fort Scott.
Respectfully,
T. MOONLIGHT,
Colonel.
---------------------------------------------------------
p.244
MOUND CITY, October 25, 1864.
General DAVIES:
Reached here at daylight this morning after a forced and rapid
march from Paola. This town had a narrow escape. Enemy's flankers
in plain view on the heights around the town when battle opened six
miles distant. This has been a crushing day for Price, and his retreat
is in great disorder. He is abandoning everything and is so closely
pressed I don't think he will be able to molest Fort Scott much.
Moonlight moved on enemy's flank for that place at the same moment
the battle was fairly begun. I just hear that another battery, and his
last, has been taken from the enemy.
DRAKE,
Lieutenant-Colonel.
----------------------------------------------------------
p.319
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH KANSAS INFANTRY,
Paola, October 29, 1864.
Lieut. J. E. TAPPAN,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., District of South Kansas:
SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience with Special
Orders, No. 1, from headquarters District of South Kansas, dated
Paola, Kans., October 24, 1864, I left Paola with my command and part
of the Sixteenth Kansas State Militia at 5 p. m. and proceeded to
Mound City, Kans., arriving there at 7 a. m., the 25th instant. During
the night march Private Gilstrap [Lewis Gilstrap of Oskaloosa], of B Company, and Private Knight,
of E Company, Seventeenth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, fell out of
ranks and were captured, and from evidence received supposed to have
been killed by the enemy. The enemy having passed Mound City and
the place considered perfectly safe from any attack from the enemy, I
left there the morning of the 27th instant and arrived at Paola at 5
p. m. same day; distance thirty-five miles.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. A. DRAKE,
Lieut. Colonel, Comdg. Seventeenth Kansas Volunteer Infantry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Praise for the Irregular Militia in the Defense of Mound City:
https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22irregular+militia%22&t=8384
The Border Sentinel
Mound City, Kansas
Friday, October 28, 1864 - Page 3
...
-------------------------
The Irregular Militia acquitted
themselves gallantly in the defense of the
town, on the night of the 24th and day of
the 25th. All honor to the brave old men
and gallant boys.
-------------------------
...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin of the Kansas Irregular Militia
On October 8, 1864, Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, the federal commander of the Department of Kansas, requested that
Kansas Gov. Thomas Carney call out all the state militia to assist in combating a Confederate army under the command of
Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, which was then approaching the Kansas border from Missouri. “Immediately upon the publication
of the governor's proclamation, and the accompanying orders, the organized militia of the State, including all the white men
of military age, took the field, marching to meet the enemy as promptly as mobilized veterans.”
On October 10th, Gen. Curtis, “knowing that desperate battles were to be fought, and that there were within the State
many who, by reason of age or color, were excluded from the militia organizations, and consequently not reached by the
governor's call,” issued "General Orders No. 54,” in which martial law was proclaimed to extend throughout the State of
Kansas, “and all men, white or black, between the ages of (18) eighteen and (60) sixty,” were to “arm and attach
themselves to some of the organizations of troops, for temporary military service.” In compliance with this order,
great numbers of citizens who were exempt from military service by reason either of youth or age, hastened to join the
marching regiments of militia from the locality of their homes; others formed companies or battalions of exempts ...
(source:
https://books.google.com/books?id=VO5XAAAAcAAJ&pg=RA3-PA1#v=onepage&q&f=false
H.R. Misc. Doc. No. 36, 41st Cong., 2nd Sess. (1870): Kansas claims. (To accompany H.R. 112.)
Papers relative to the claim of the State of Kansas for claims against the government.)
It was General Orders No. 54 which initiated the creation of the “irregular” militia units of Kansas.
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