Ohio History Journal

EDITORIALANA.

VOL. XXVL No. 3.

JUNE, 1917

COLONEL JOHN W. HARPER. IN MEMORIAM. In the death of John W. Harper, The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society lost a Trustee and loyal member of long stand- ing, conspicuous for his fidelity and support of historical and archaeo- logical research. He materially aided in the progress of the Society. Colonel Harper was born February 11, 1830, in Indianapolis, the son of an old English family distinguished for its patriotism and loyalty to this country. Colonel Harper always proved himself worthy of this ancestry. At the time of the Civil War, he served in defense of the city of Cincinnati against Gen. Kirby Smith. He was appointed on Gov- ernor Hoadly's staff and received the commission of Colonel. In Cincinnati Colonel Harper first entered the employ of A. & J. Thounstine Co., wholesale clothiers, later becoming a member of the firm, with which he was identified until 1885. He was interested in the advanced industrial movements of Cincinnati, being a supporter of the gas interests and the promotion of the Southern Railway. At the time of his death he was associated with the insurance firm of Magly, Straehley & Company. Political and social progress claimed his interest as well. He was a member of the board of managers of the State Hospital for the In- sane at Columbus during the administrations of Governors Foraker, Campbell, and McKinley. In March, 1903, he was appointed Trustee of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society by Governor Nash, and served in that position by successive gubernatorial reappointments until his death. He was a life member of the Society. In 1906 and 1908 he was elected to the Ohio State Senate, and rendered conspicuous ser- vice to his state. He was an active member of the Society of Sons of the American Revolution, serving for one year as President of the State Society. He was identified fraternally with the Masonic Order. He was an intense American, devoutly attached to his country and its institutions. Colonel Harper was a man of the highest honor and integrity; possessed of a most tender and sympathetic nature; frank and open hearted, always the friend and helper of the afflicted and unfortunate; fond of his family and friends; emotional and enthusiastic in disposi- tion he entered heartily and unreservedly into the joy and interest of life; he liked to mingle with men and share their sorrows and suc- (450)

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cesses. He was the old style gentleman in manner and affability; always

considerate of the feelings and circumstances of others. The writer of

this all too brief notice can testify to the unwavering loyalty of his

friendship. It will never be forgotten. Colonel Harper died in Cin-

cinnati, December 27, 1915. His remains were cremated, according to

his wishes, and his ashes were taken to his native state, Indiana, where

they were interred.

 

BOOK REVIEWS.

LITTLE TURTLE, THE GREAT CHIEF OF THE MIAMI INDIAN NATION,

by Calvin M. Young, Greenville, Ohio.

Most of the available material on the life and exploits of the

noted Indian chieftain, Little Turtle, has been previously collected and

published. Mr. Young is well fitted to perform the task of gathering

up and arranging in good order much of this previous data for he is

familiar with the country which was once the land of the Miamis, and

has had the opportunity of securing valuable first-hand information and

receiving personal impressions concerning those days. His work is a

collection of source material concerning the early days of Ohio history.

Little Turtle ranks with Pontiac and Tecumseh in the history of

the American Indian, but his life is not so well known as theirs. As

Parkman and Drake wrote of them, so has Mr. Young written of the

Miami chieftain. Little Turtle was the opponent of General Arthur St.

Clair and his expedition in 1791, when he administered a crushing de-

feat to the whites. The Indian's fine generalship, his skill in organiz-

ing the largest force of Indians ever gathered against the whites, his

statesmanship and diplomacy, are sympathetically recorded by Mr. Young.

It is one of the best single monographs on the great chief yet published.

 

HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL OHIO CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST

EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1856-1913. Historians: Rev. Elias D. Whitlock, D.

D., Rev. Nathaniel B. C. Love, D. D., Rev. Elwood O. Crist, D. D.

Press of the Methodist Book Concern, Cincinnati, Ohio. $1.50.

This monumental and beautifully published work deserves atten-

tion from all those interested in the preservation of early Ohio history.

It records the first work of the Methodist Church among the Wyandots

of Upper Sandusky, when John Stewart, the mulatto missionary, came

to Ohio in 1816. It perpetuates the hardships and the faithfulness of

those itinerant preachers who laid the foundation of a Christian social

consciousness among the scattered pioneers in the rich country of

northwest Ohio.

The Central Ohio Conference was organized in 1856. It ac-

complished important educational and philanthropic work until it was

merged with the Cincinnati Conference in 1913 under the name of the

West Ohio Annual Conference, which now embraces the entire western

half of the State. Two important universities, Ohio Wesleyan at Dela-

ware and Ohio Northern at Ada, owe their being to the Central Ohio

Conference.

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