Walter S. Harper, Mayor of Meadville for 1882 and 1883, also proprietor of planing-mill and lumber yard, was born in Vernon Township, Crawford Co., Penn., March 16, 1834, son of Robert and Rebecca (Quigley) Harper, who were also natives of that township, the former of whom died in 1865, the latter in 1879.

His paternal grandfather, David Harper, was born in Ireland, and came to this county, settling in Vernon Township, in 1802. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, by occupation a farmer. Our subject's mother was of English and Scotch descent. His great-grandfather Quigley was a Colonel in the Revolutionary war. James Quigley was the first Sheriff of this county.

Our subject is a member of a family of fourteen children, thirteen growing to manhood and womanhood, twelve of whom still reside in this county.

He was reared on a farm and received a common school education. At eighteen years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, and from that entered his present occupation.

In 1870 he bought an interest in his present business, and in 1877 he bought out his partner and has since been conducting the business alone, employing from fifteen to twenty men.

Our subject married in 1863 Miss Sarah Denny; she dying, he became united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of John Glenn, of Erie, Penn., and to this union were born three children: Florence E., Margery B., and Walter G.

History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania: containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885, page 743.

Walter Harper, twice mayor of Meadville and well known as a lumber merchant, died Monday. He was buried Wednesday.

He was born in Vernon Township in 1834, and was a lifelong resident of the county seat.
Titusville Herald, Thurs., 20 May 1909, p. 4, Titusville, Pa.