Walter R. Harper

   Cause of his death was Carcinoma of the Stomach.

  General Notes:

The 1880 Federal Census for Shamokin, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, District 146, page 125A records the family of Walter R. Harper (12). His widowed father, John F. Harper (38), is listed as a Coal Miner whose father was born in Ireland and mother in Scotland. Besides Walter, children in the household include John (17), Jane (14), Margaret (9). Also in the household is John's sister, Elizabeth Harper (30 -see 1930 census listed below). It is of interest that Walter is listed as born in Scotland while his sister Margaret in Pennsylvania. This contradicts the 1910 census as immigrating in 1869 but is consistent with the 1930 census of his birth in Scotland. Next door are the families of apparent brothers to John: Robert Harper (39), William Harper (38), George Harper (27) all Coal Miners. The 1900 census for William Harper in Northumberland Co., PA records his date of immigration as 1869. The 1870 Federal Census for Shamokin, Northumberland Co., PA records William Harper (26) with his wife Elizabeth (21) and children Margaret (2 - born Scotland), Robert (1 - born Pa.). Also in the household are Robert (28) and James (16) Harper.

The 1900 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Berks Co., Reading, Ward 13, District 92 page 186B records Wallis (Feb 1868) and Jennie (Nov. 1869) Harper with children John F. (Mar 1890), Harriet M. (Nov. 1891), and Elizabeth (Feb 1894) living at 1235 North 9th Street.

The 1910 Federal Census for Reading, Pa. (ED 93, page 123A) records Walter (42) and Lydia (40) Harper and family living at 1143 Mulberry Street. 4 of 5 children are still living and include Harriet M. (18), Elizabeth E. (16), Walter S. (8), and Charles McK. (4). Walter is listed as immigrating to the USA in 1869 from parents born in Scot/Gaelick [Gaelic].

The 1920 Federal Census for Reading, Pa. (ED 103, page 122A) records Walter (51) and Lydia J. (50) with children Walter S. (17), Charles McK. (14), Robert B. (9), Jean N. (6) still living (renting) at 1143 Mulberry Street.

The 1930 Federal Census for Reading, Pa. (District 70, page 241A) records Walter R. (62-born in Scotland) and Ada J. (60) Harper living (renting) at 1240 Lancaster Ave. Also in the household are son Gene (16), Aunt Elizabeth Harper (79), and son Charles (25) and his wife Dorothy (25).

  Medical Notes:

Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963
Name: Walter R Harper
Occupation: Machinist
Residence: 1223 Lancaster Avenue, Reading
Wife: Lydia J. (nee Stroh)
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 67
Birth Date: 19 Feb 1868
Birth Place: Glasgow Scotland
Death Date: 12 Dec 1935
Death Place: Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania
Burial: Dec 17, 1935 at Shamokin Cemetery, Shamokin, Northumberland Co., PA
Father Name: John Harper
Father Birth Place: Scotland
Mother Name: Jean Neilsen
Mother Birth Place: Scotland
Spouse Name: Lydia J Stroh
Certificate Number: 105375
Informant: Lydia J. Harper of 1223 Lancaster Avenue

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Brakeman (1900)/Engineer on a stationary engine (1910)/Machinist on the Steam Railroad (1920, 1930).

Walter married Lydia Jennie Stroh about 1890. (Lydia Jennie Stroh was born on 12 Nov 1869 in Tower City, Pennsylvania, died on 12 Jun 1958 in Spring, Berks Co., PA and was buried on 16 Jun 1958 in Shamokin Cemetery, Shamokin, Northumberland Co., PA.)