John G. Harper was born 11 March 1812 in Butler County, Ohio. He married Sally Ann Chambers 12 Jan 1832 in Franklin County, IN. She died about 1843. John married Mary Amanda Thomas (1824-1861) 29 Dec 1845 in Montgomery County, IN. They are found in the 1860 census at Chatsworth Twp. Livingston County, IL. Mary Amanda died in Livingston County 9 Dec 1861 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury, IL.

Record Source Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls

Name John G Harper Rank Private Company G 129th Illinois Infantry

Height 5' 8 ¼ Hair BLACK Eyes BLUE Complexion DARK

Marital Status Married Occupation Farmer

Birth Date Abt 1811 Birth Place Hamilton, Butler CO, OH

Service Entry Age 51 Service Entry 9 Aug 1862 Pontiac, IL

Joined By Whom A J CROPSY Period 3 YRS

Muster In Date 8 Sep 1862 Muster In Place Pontiac, IL

Remarks DISCHARGED FEB 20 AT GALLATIN TENN FOR DISABILITY

Residence Place Fairbury, Livingston CO, IL

John then married Mrs. Nancy Stewart 2 Aug 1864 in Livingston County, IL. They are listed in Forrest Twp in the 1865 State Census for IL then in Clay County, IL in the 1870 census. It appears that John had children by all three wives. Sarah Harper, daughter of the first wife was born in 1839. She married George Washington Townsend in Livingston County 26 Oct 1861. The Townsend’s were listed in Pleasant Ridge Twp. in the 1870 and Forrest Twp. in the 1880 census. Children by Mary Amanda Thomas include Laura Harper who married William Douglas McMillan 8 Apr 1877 in Livingston County, John G Harper Jr., who married Ida M. Sweet 1 Feb 1874 in Livingston County. (moved to Chicago after 1880). and George who married Sarah Ann Perry and remained in Livingston County near Forrest through 1940.

John G Harper died in Clay County, Illinois 7 Jan 1876. He’s buried at Keens Chapel Cemetery, Iola, Clay County, IL. His probate records are recorded in Book L. pages 118, 173 and 316 in Clay County.