Finding aid for the Harper Family Photograph Albums


Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
Creator: Harper Family
Title: Harper Family Photograph Albums
Dates: 1865-1870
Extent: 0.40 linear feet (1 container)
Abstract: Alexander Harper, a Revolutionary War officer, brought his family to settle in Ashtabula County, Ohio (then a part of the Western Reserve) in 1798. The settlement was named Harpersfield by the family after their hometown in New York. After Alexander Harper's death in September 1798, his widow Elizabeth Harper was joined in 1799 by Alexander's brother Joseph and by her daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Aaron Wheeler. Elizabeth's children; William, Elizabeth, John A., James A., Alexander, and Robert, all became prominent members of the community. In 1814, the Harpers were among those who organized the Harpersfield Commercial Company. Most prominent of the Harper brothers was Robert, who married Polly Hendry in 1815 and began construction of the family homestead, Shandy Hall. Robert was a lawyer, farmer, businessman, Superintendent of the Public Works at Cunningham Creek, and a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. His nephew, Rice Harper, was also a prominent lawyer and businessman, and was involved in the Ohio Rail Road Company with his uncle. Robert Harper's daughter Ann moved to Sandusky, Ohio, shortly after her marriage to Dr. Aaron Austin. His eldest daughter Ellen lived at Shandy Hall with her youngest sister Jane and Jane's husband, Alexander J. Harper. The last owners of Shandy Hall were Stella and Ann Harper, the two daughters of Alexander and Jane Harper. After the death of Ann Harper in 1935, the property was maintained by the David Z. Norton family, cousins of the Harpers. In 1948, the Norton family donated Shandy Hall to the Western Reserve Historical Society. Collection consists of letters, financial accounts, business files, legal documents, military records, and other documents related to the personal and business interests of Alexander Harper (1744-1798) and his descendants, particularly Robert Harper, Rice Harper, Dr. Aaron and Ann Harper Austin, Alexander J. and Jane Harper, Stella Harper, and Ann Harper. The collection consists of 3 card photograph albums belonging to the Harper and allied families of Unionville, Ohio.
PG Number PG 025
Location: closed stacks
Language: The records are in English

Scope and Content

The Harper Family Photograph Albums, 1865-1870, consist of 3 card photograph albums belonging to the Harper and allied families of Unionville, Ohio. All photographs are black and white.

One card photograph album contains 39 carte de visite photographs and measures 4.75 x 6.25 inches.

One card photograph album contains 39 carte de visite photographs and 5.25 x 5.5 inches.

One card photograph album contains 19 carte de visite photographs and measures 4.25 x 5.5 inches.


Statement of Arrangement

The collection has been retained in original order.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Related Material

The researcher should also consult MS 3231 Harper Family Papers.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Carte de visite photographs.
Harper family -- Photograph collections.
Loomis family -- Photograph collections.
Norton family -- Photograph collections.
Strong family -- Photograph collections.
Unionville (Ohio) -- Genealogy.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 25 Harper Family Photograph Albums, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Harper and Norton Families.

Detailed Description of The Collection

Harper Family Photographs 1865-1870

Box Volume
1 1 Richard Evans Norton; J. Dorr Norton; Ada and William S. Norton; Mary Evans Norton; William S. Norton; Rice Harper; Susannah M. Harper; Henry C. Strong; Mary Harper Strong; Cynthia Loomis; May Loomis; Frank, May, and Cynthia Loomis; Cynthia Loomis; unidentified (3 photographs); Wallace Harper; Amalia Wickin; unidentified (2 photographs); J. D. and A. S. Norton; Ada S. and May Norton; unidentified (2 photographs); Will S. Norton; unidentified (5 photographs); Emma Harper Gaylord; Mary Norton; unidentified (2 photographs); Cynthia, Laura May, and Frank Rice Loomis; and unidentified (3 photographs) 1865-1870
1 2 Unidentified; Rice Harper; Susannah Montgomery Harper; Henry C. Strong; Mary harper Strong; Wallace Harper; Susannah Harper; Julia Harper; J. Dorr and Ada Norton; William Sheffield Norton; Cynthia Loomis; Frank Rice Loomis; unidentified; Henry Doane; unidentified (2 photographs); David Z. Norton; Henry C. Strong (2 photographs); unidentified (2 photographs); Carrie Norton Watterson and John A. Norton; unidentified (2 photographs); L. H. Latham; unidentified; H. B. Canvers; unidentified; Henry C. Reno; unidentified (9 photographs); and Orlen S. Hayes 1865-1870
1 3 Unidentified (6 photographs); Miss Julia A. Harper; unidentified (8 photographs); H. A. Harper; and unidentified (3 photographs) 1865-1870