Wilmette Public Library Local History Digital Collection

Robert A. Harper (1910-2007) oral history

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Track 7 Transcript p. 15-18: Track 7 Transcript p. 15-18
Transcription: Track 7 RH: It was, uh, I'm not sure, a very money making proposition. The most profitable part of it was that, uh, after he retired and they lived there on the farm for about 20 years. It bordered a small lake and, uh. Dad worked out a little subdivision, uh, along that lake with lake lots and, uh, lots back on a private road and, uh, the subdivision worked out as a very profitable use of the farm. RA: Good. RH: During that 20 years they spent their winters in Florida Robert Harper, cont. p.16 from 1947 on wintering at Edenlawn Plantation which is near Stuart. RA: Oh, yes. Lolie Johnson.... RH: Lolie Johnson was there and also .the Klunders.... RA: Oh, yes. I remember the Klunders. RH: …another family. The other members of that group came from -- mostly came from Jopltn, Missouri. RA: Oh. RH: It was a very enjoyable winter. We started going down about Christmas time and then began to go at Thanksgiving time and then we decided we'd have an early Thanksgiving in Michigan and then we'd leave.... RA: Right after that. RH: …in early November and, uh, stay until time to get gardens planted back in Michigan. RA: Oh, yes. RH: And then as they, uh, grew a little bit older and, uh, decided they were not - should not be living alone - why the Presbyterian Westminster Place was just being organized... RA: Oh, yes. RH: ….and they entered that complex, being one of the first residents in one of the cottages. They came there in 1962. RA: Oh, did they? < RH: And at that time there were just the cottages that were along Calvin Circle.... RA: Yes. Robert Harper, cont. p.17 RH: …and shortly after they began to live there. They still spent winters in Florida where the apartment structure was built and the nursing home was - that became part of the complex and, uh, they lived in a cottage until Dad died in 1970 at the age of 94 and, uh, Mother, of course, continued to live there moving into the apartment unit and, uh, she passed away in 1975, uh, at the age of 102. RA: She was a marvelous lady and she had all of her buttons at the end. RH: Yes, she did. She was sharp. She learned to weave when she was in her 90's and, uh, wove us coverlets and table mats and so forth which we, of course, still treasure and use. RA: This is just marvelous. You haven't talked about your family at all. RH: Well, I met Margaret as a - Margaret was teaching biology at New Trier and, uh, in 1940, uh, we were married and in 1941 our first child was born - John. Margaret, uh, stopped teaching, but started again after seven years. We have three children - John, Margaret Anne and George. RA: Do they all live around here? RH: No. They are all a considerable distance. John is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Rochester in New York. RA: Oh, Bill Drucker is there. In fact, he's head of the medical school. RH: Oh, yes. Bill Drucker. - Well, I've heard that name. Robert Harper, cont. p.18 Of course, the communities - the professional communities are kind of close knit.... RA: Yes. RH: …and I guess John's contacts are all within the Mathematics Department RA: Of course. The Druckers are local people. RH: Yes. I know that. RA: From way back. They all went through Howard School and Bill is one of the older - the twins.
Creators: Harper, Robert A., 1910-2007, Interviewee; Adler, Rhea Saul, 1906-1990
, Interviewer
Media Type: Audio; Image; Text
Item Type: Audiocassettes
Description: Interview with Robert A. Harper by Rhea Adler in Wilmette on March 11, 1982.

Abstract:

Born and has lived in Wilmette his entire life - son of Dora and J. Robb Harper, Superintendent of Wilmette Schools 1908-1942
Life of his father - one of four children on Ohio farm - put himself through college - married a teacher in the college who was daughter of a Presbyterian minister
J.R. Harper became a science teacher at New Trier H.S. 1906 -Superintendent of Wilmette Schools 1908
Expansion of the school system - Highcrest School became part of District 39 - Harper School built 1941
J.R. Harper retired and moved to a dairy farm in Michigan
George Harper taught at New Trier H.S. until 1925 when he re¬tired to Tucson, Arizona - Clara Groves (Mrs. J.R.H. sister) taught sixth grade for many years
Mrs. J.R.H. active in community - charter member P.T.A. -President of M.E. Church Ladies Aid - Woman's Club
J.R.H. also active in community - Rotary Club charter member -President of 1930-31 - Library Board many years -purchased farm in Michigan 1914 to which they retired in 1942 - dairy farm - later subdivided - after 20 years they came to Presbyterian Westminster Place in Evanston, but continued spending winters in Florida - his death there in 1970 aged 94 - she passed away 1975 at age of 102 years
Robert and Margaret Harper's family - children and their
activities - their Vermont summer home - his activities at New Trier
Summary
Place of Publication: Wilmette, Illinois
Date of Original: 11 March 1982
Subject(s): School superintendents
Teachers
Oral histories
Wilmette (Ill.) -- Residents
Personal Name(s): Harper, Robert A.
Local identifier: R 977.31 HA
Language of Item: English
Copyright Statement: Protected by copyright: Uses other than research or private study require the permission of the rightsholder(s). Responsibility for obtaining permissions and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Copyright Date: 1982
Copyright Holder: Wilmette Public Library
Copyright Holder Contact Information: 1242 Wilmette Ave.
Wilmette, IL 60091
U.S.A.
Recommended Citation: Harper, Robert A., 1910-2007 and Rhea Saul Adler. Robert Harper. Wilmette, Ill: Wilmette Public Library District, 1982.
Contact: Wilmette Public Library
Email:refdesk@wilmettelibrary.info
Website:
https://www.wilmettelibrary.info/

Agency street/mail address:
1242 Wilmette Avenue
Wilmette, IL
60091-2558
U.S.A. Phone: 847-256-6930

Robert A. Harper (1910-2007) oral history

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Track 1, Transcript p. 1

Track 2, Transcript p. 1-4

Track 3, Transcript p. 4-6

Track 4, Transcript p. 6-10

Track 5 Transcript p. 10-12

Track 6 Transcript p. 12-15

Track 7 Transcript p. 15-18

Track 8 Transcript p. 18-22

Track 9 Transcript p. 22-23

Track 10 Transcript p. 23-24

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