Pvt. William B. Harper

Occupation listed as plumber in 1880 census. Lived in Reading, PA. Died of "Angina Pectoris." Lived at 1238 Perkiomen Avenue in Reading. Occupation in 1888 Boyd's Reading City Directory: Superintendent City Water Works. Civil War veteran (served as private in Signal Corps from October 10, 1863 to August 9, 1865).

Published obituary:

DEATH OF WILLIAM B. HARPER SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER DEPARTMENT

William B. Harper, former superintendent of the Water Department and ex superintendent of the Mt. Penn Gravity Railroad died (April 7, 1903) suddenly of heart disease Tuesday afternoon at his residence 1238 Perkiomen Avenue, aged 55 years. Mr. Harper had been suffering with heart trouble for several years but his malady was not considered serious, as he about until Monday evening.

Monday afternoon he took a walk in Penn’s common, which was one of delights, as he took much pride in the park, having been the water superintendant for a number of years when he had his residence in what is now the Water Board executive office, on North Eleventh street. During Monday night he did not rest as well as was his custom and his family wished to summon a physician but he objected, saying it was only one of his spells which would soon pass which would pass off as his others had done. At noon Tuesday, however, his wife called in the family physician, but it was too late reviving the life which was slowly ebbing away.

Mr. Harper was one of Reading’s best known citizens, as his connection with the Water Department brought him into contact with many persons, and he was well liked.

It was said of him that he knew the water system of the city better than any other man in Reading and could give the size and location of any main at a moment’s notice. He was the assistant superintendant from 1872 to1882 and superintendant from 1882 to 1892, when he resigned and became the superintendant of the Mt. Penn Gravity Railroad, which he managed with rare executive skill, there never having been an accident of any kind during his management.

He was a member of the Reading School Board, Reading Lodge, No. 63 K. G. E. (Knights of the Golden Eagle) and was one of the oldest members of the Junior Fire Company,

He was a veteran of the Civil War, and though proud of his war record, he never affiliated himself with any of the war societies. He was in the Signal Corps. The sole survivor of that body in the city today is Col. Thomas M. Weber, the master plumber.

Besides his wife (Viola A. Harper), he leaves these children: Lewis C., and Harry W. Harper and Mrs. Grace O. Coxe, all of this city, a brother J. Brooke Harper, and two sisters, Mrs, Caroline T. Magary, of Reading and Mrs. George Parton, of Scranton. Mr. Harper was a regular attendant at Grace Lutheran Church.

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