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Lawyer N.R. Harper For Half Century A Noted Character Dies At 75
FIRST NEGRO ADMITTED TO KENTUCKY BAR
Lawyer N. R. Harper, 75 years old, pioneer citizen and well known churchman, passed away at his residence 1302 W. Madison street, Thursday night at 10:45, after a short illness.
Monday evening, January 24, Lawyer Harper held a rehearsal with the Dramatic Club at his residence.  He bade the members good night and retired about 11 o'clock.  Monday he complained of a pain in his side.  His physician was called and pronounced the illness pneumonia.  He seemed better Tuesday, but on Wednesday he steadily grew worse and continued so until his death.  He was carefully nursed by his daughter in law, Mrs. Gladys Harper, wife of his son Frank Harper.  He was conscious up to the time of his death.  His son Frank and daughter in law, Dr. G. H. Reid and Mrs. Love Anderson, were at his bedside when he passed away Thursday night without a struggle.  On going to his office it was found that he had left all of his affairs neatly arranged, apparently expecting his summons. 
N. R. Harper was the eldest son of Hezekiah and Elizabeth Harper, was born Feb. 17, 1846, at Indianapolis, Ind.; died Jan. 27, 1921, 1 month and (illegible) days at 10:45 p. m.
He was reared and schooled in Detroit, Mich. In 1872 he was married to Maria Drusilia Norman of Newark, Ohio.  To them six children were born.  He came to Louisville in 1876; was admitted to the bar in 1871, the first man of (teh?) race to (practiee?) law in Kentucky.  The first Colored person in Kentucky to be commissioned notary public in 1878; nominated independent candidate for Congress in 1885; first man of his race to preside as Judge over a court of justice in the state in 1888; first state official with office at capital under Gov. W. O. Bradley 1895, member of Advisory Board of State Industrial Bureau, Founder and organizer of all the older Methodist and Christian church choirs as follows:  Asbury Chapel A. M. E.; Old Fifteenth Church A. M. E. Zion; Hancock Christian Church; 12th St. A. M. E. Zion; Hancock Christian church; 12th St. A. M. E. Zion cherch, now Broadway Temple; Jackson St. M. E.; Young's Chapel; Coak's Chapel M. E.; St. James A. M. E.  Introduced first pipe organ among Colored people in the Sstate for church service at Asbury Chapel.  Conducted a great sangerfest of 500 voices in 1878, pattered after the great Jubilee of Gilmore in 1876; president of the Industrial Land Association which established Colored town site of Centralia, Jefferson Co., Kentucky.
President Louisville Choral Society which had charge of the misic of the National Negro Business League and the National Association for the Colored Women's Club, when the last convened in Louisville. Author of variocs dramatic plays, the leading production in the play, Tallaboo, staged in various sections of the United States.
The Funeral Services
The funeral services were held for Lawyer N. R. Harper at St. James A. M. E. Church, 18th and Chestnut St.s, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, where hundreds taxed the auditorium to its capacity, to pay their last respects to one who had for so many years had rendered an invaluable service to the church, community and his race.
He was one of the founders of St. James church and named it. He long held the position of Steward of the church and was a consistent Christian at home and abroad. He, often told his children that they might follow his example and do anything they saw him do. He trained them to attend Sunday school and church.
The funeral eulogy by the pastor, Rev. W. E. Spillman, was a high tribute to the life of the great character.
"A great man has fallen. He made a success of life. He was a lover of his church, his race, and all humanity. As a husband, father, neighbor and citizen he reflected credit upon himself, the race and the community. He was willing and unselfishly so. He was at Church every Sunday and was always ready to do something for it. His heard was in the music and the choir. He was an example for the young" said the pastor in discourse in his beautiful eulogy.
Leaders from all walks of life in Louisville occupied seats around the altar and the several ministers, some of whom were life long friends of Lowyer Harper, paid glowing tributes to him.
Brief remarks were made by Bishop George C. Clement, Dr. M. F. Robinson, Revs. W. [?] Johnson, Noah Williams, E. H. Hands[?}, L. F. Dodd, E. W. Lewallen and Rev. W. R. Reynolds of Jeffersontown.
Splendid musical selections were rendered by the choir, with beautiful solos by Mesdames Mary L. Meade and Beulah Hill. Resolutions were read from the Louisville Bar Association, St. James Church and the Tallaboo Art Club. Letters and telegrams of regret ad sympathy came from all sections of the country. Beautiful floral designs were received from several organizations and friends of the family.
The active pall bearers were Attorneys Brown, Andrews, Bonner, Alexander and Willis.
The body of Lawyer Harper was in charge by Undertaker J. B. Cooper and laid to rest in the Louisville cemetery.
Lawyer Harper leaves three children, Frank Williams, Alice Harper Brown, Woodson, Leslie, and two grandchildren; four brothers, Joshua, William, John and George; three sisters, Celia O. Ferris, Mary Julia Russell and Emma Rauls, and a host of friends to mourn his loss.
Early Days Friend Pays Tribute - Passed Rigid Examination.
The death of the Hon. N. R. Harper was a great shock to teh race as he was one of our most honorable and leading citizens of the race. He was the first Colored lawyer admitted to the bar in this city. For nearly a half century he has graced the streets with distinction and plead at the bar of justice for right and the cause of the race. He was a leading figure in every enterprise for the advancement of moral principles and American citizenship for his race, and he has dedicated through his efforts most every leading enterprise, with his council during this long period of time.
This all is a clear demonstration by the words that were expressed by the late Hon. Henry J. Stites, who was a member of that council that tested his great ability before he was admitted to the bar to plead in the courts of this city and state, who, after the most rigid examination, stood second to none among all who plead at the bar in his day.
Rev. H. D. Cox.
325 Stiltz Ave.