Alexander Harper (Ohio politician)

Alexander Harper (February 5, 1786 – December 1, 1860) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio for three different non-consecutive tenures in the mid-19th century.

Alexander Harper
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio
In office March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1839
Preceded by	Elias Howell
Succeeded by	Jonathan Taylor
Constituency	12th district
In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847
Preceded by	George Sweeny
Succeeded by	Nathan Evans
Constituency	14th district
In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853
Preceded by	Nathan Evans
Succeeded by	Harvey H. Johnson
Constituency	14th district
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from Muskingum County
In office 1820–1822
Preceded by	Robert McConnell John Reynolds
Succeeded by	Nathan C. Findlay William H. Moore
Personal details
Born	(1786-02-05)February 5, 1786 Belfast, Kingdom of Ireland
Died	December 1, 1860(1860-12-01) (aged 74) Zanesville, Ohio, US
Resting place	Greenwood Cemetery
Political party	Whig

Biography

Born near Belfast in the Kingdom of Ireland, Harper immigrated to the United States and settled in Zanesville, Ohio. He pursued preparatory studies, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1813, and commenced practice in Zanesville. He served as member of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1820 and 1821. He served as president judge of the Court of Common Pleas 1822–1836.

Congress

Harper was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1839). He was later elected to the Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth Congresses (March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847). He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Post Office Department (Twenty-eighth Congress), and was on the Committee on Patents (Twenty-eighth Congress).

Harper was again elected to the Thirty-second Congress (March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853). He resumed the practice of law.

Death

He died in Zanesville on December 1, 1860, and was interred in Greenwood Cemetery.

Sources

• United States Congress. "Alexander Harper (id: H000219)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress