John Earl Harper, 1898-1918

HARPER, MOTT

Posted By: Jeanie Belding (email)
Date: 12/27/2018 at 19:29:28

Source: Fayette County Leader, March 21, 1918, pg. 7
John Harper

Every day brings the war home to us with greater force, and once again within the space of a few weeks West Union is called up on to mourn the death of one of her brave soldier boys, one who enlisted in the service of his country less than one month ago, but who nevertheless gave his life on the altar of patriotism.

John Earl Harper was born in Union township, Fayette county, Iowa, January 29th, 1898. He attended the public school in this city and all his young life was spent here with the exception of one year during which the family lived in South Dakota. For the past two years Earl was employed at the Rock Island station fitting himself for work as telegrapher. Less than a month ago, he heard "the call to arms," and went to Jefferson Barracks where he enlisted, later being transferred to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. From the time of his arrival there he was ill, pneumonia developing, and he passed away Monday afternoon, March 11, at 3:30 o'clock, in the Fort Hospital, his mother arriving at his bedside three days before the end came.

On Tuesday afternoon military honors were accorded the young private in the Episcopal chapel at the Fort the members of his company, headed by the company band, making in all a procession over a mile long, escorted the casket to the station. The body arrived here yesterday noon, accompanied by his mother and Sergeant King, a non-commissioned officer of the same Company as the deceased. He will remain here until after the funeral today, the service being held in the Methodist church at two o'clock, conducted by the Rev. G.S. Lackland.

Private Earl Harper has entered that "low green tent whose curtain never outward folds" clad in the uniform which he hoped to wear with honor to his country and credit to himself. The flag for which he gave his life, will be placed on his body. Every patriotically minded citizen will hear of his untimely death with a feeling of sadness. he gave his all, let us hope that his sacrifice is not in vain.

Earl is survived by his father, Charles Harper, his mother, Mrs. George Mott, and two sisters, Mildred and Margery. To them is extended the sympathy of the entire community. The following appeared in the Daily Leavenworth Times, Tuesday, March 12.

" John E. Harper, 20 years old, telegrapher, member of Depot Company 1, Signal Corps, died yesterday. His mother from West Union, Iowa, was here when the death occurred. The body will be transferred today from Fort Leavenworth to the Burlington station in this city and shipped by the Sexton Undertaking Company to West Union for burial. Military honors will be bestowed at Fort Leavenworth."