My Genealogy Hound

Hon. R. G. Harper, a prominent lawyer of Hampton, was born in Terrell County, Ga., in 1857, the eldest in a family of seven children born to Frank M. and Fannie A. (Watts) Harper, both natives of Georgia. His father was a lawyer by profession, and was prominent, politically and in his profession. He represented Terrell County in the General Assembly of Georgia, and in 1874, at the time of his death, would have been nominated for Congress from that district, had he lived. His mother still resides at the old home. The subject of this sketch was reared in the town, attended private school, and the Macon University at Macon, Ga., for one year, then took a literary course. In 1879 he began to read law, while engaged in farming the home place for the family; he continued to farm for four years, but in eight months after beginning the study of law under a private tutor he was admitted to the bar at Terrell Superior Court, in November, 1879. In 1880 the management of the farm again fell into his hands. In the spring of 1881 he commenced to practice at home. In the fall of 1881 he came to Arkansas and settled at Hampton, where he at once began the practice of his profession, his practice grew steadily, and he soon secured a favorable reputation. In 1883 he was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Strong, daughter of Isaac B. and Laura Strong, early settlers here. At that time he purchased his present home in Hampton. Mr. Harper has always been one of the political workers for Calhoun County, and in October, 1882, qualified in the office of county school examiner, and served in this capacity for four years. In 1884 he was elected as representative of Calhoun County, served on the legal committee, being instrumental in the passage of the Game and Fish Bill, also a law for the landlord in furnishing tenants with provision, also a bill reducing the penalty for removing and disposing of mortgaged property. In 1886 Mr. Harper lost his excellent wife, who died in July, leaving one child, a boy, Frank. In November, 1887, he was married to Miss Lulu Terrell, a native of Union County, daughter of W. G. Terrell, a well-known citizen of Union County. To this union one child, Fannie, was born. Mr. and Mrs. Harper are members of the Baptist Church; Mr. Harper has always been a worker in the Sabbath school. He has an excellent practice, extending through the counties of this judicial district and other counties in Southern Arkansas. In connection with this practice, he does most of the foreign collecting of this section, also does some real estate business. Mr. Harper is a gentle man of education and refinement, energy and ambition, he is well thought of, and enjoys a good practice. He is engaged (slightly) in farming, and as a proof of what may be expected by careful cultivation, it may be stated that last year (1889), Mr. Harper raised twelve bales of cotton on fourteen acres of land.