Alexander HARPER, Congress, OH (1786-1860)

HARPER, Alexander, a Representative from Ohio; born near Belfast, Ireland, February 5, 1786; immigrated to the United States and settled in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio; pursued preparatory studies; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1813 and commenced practice in Zanesville, Ohio; member of the State house of representatives in 1820 and 1821; president judge of the court of common pleas 1822-1836; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1837-March 3, 1839); elected to the Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth Congresses (March 4, 1843-March 3, 1847); chairman, Committee on Expenditures in the Post Office Department (Twenty-eighth Congress), Committee on Patents (Twenty-eighth Congress); again elected to the Thirty-second Congress (March 4, 1851-March 3, 1853); resumed the practice of law; died in Zanesville, Ohio, on December 1, 1860; interment in Greenwood Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present