In a treatise on the Harpers, their life and character, the history of
James is the history of the firm. This firm consisted of James, John,
Joseph, Wesley and Fletcher; James, as the eldest, laying the foundation
of that powerful concern, Harper Brothers, which is the largest and
wealthiest publishing house in America.
James Harper was born April 11, 1795. Like many other poor boys who have
become wealthy he was the son of a farmer. He early determined to become
a printer and, in 1810, was apprenticed to Messrs. Paul & Thomas of the
city of New York. He left home to assume this position, the prayers of
his parents following him. The last words of his mother bade him
remember that there was good blood in him. The printer boy in those days
was made a sort of lackey to be ordered about by all hands. Among other
duties he had to clean the rollers when they became clogged with ink.
The ink would get on his hands and apron, and thence it would reach his
face--thus the printer boy with his blackened face earned the sobriquet
of 'printer's devil.' James Harper became the 'devil' in this office.
There is little doubt but that he often felt discouraged and disposed to
give up, but he regarded this position as only a stepping stone to
something higher and pleasanter. It was soon observed that such was the
case; that James Harper fully expected to one day rise to be himself
proprietor; even the street Arabs recognizing that he aspired to higher
things. One day as he was passing along the street an audacious newsboy
came up to him and gave him a push, while another sneeringly asked him
for his card. Seizing the latter by the shoulder he fairly kicked the
astonished ruffian half across the square. "There," said he, "is my
card, keep it and when you want work come to me, present that card, and
I will give you work." This ended all further molestation from this
source.
His brother John came to New York in the course of a little more than a
year and entered another office, arranging his apprenticeship so that it
might end about the same time as did that of his brother James. In time
James became one of the leading pressmen in the city, and John was one
of the best compositors and proof readers in the country. All through
their long apprenticeship they had worked evenings; the surplus thus
acquired and not one cent of their day earnings ever went for drink, as
was so common in those days. To be temperate in Harper's day required
far more exertion than it would at present, as nearly everyone drank
then. So while others spent their evenings in saloons drinking, playing
pool and billiards, and 'having fun,' these young Harpers were either
hard at work putting in extra time, or at home, thus if they did not
earn more they saved what they had already earned.
When their time was out they each had a few hundred dollars, and they
began business for themselves under the firm-style of J. & J. Harper.
They felt their way, at first publishing books only for others. They
were industrious, no hand in their employ working harder than the
proprietors. Not only were they workers, but they were enterprising.
When it was found that the stereotyping consumed much of their profit,
they resolved to learn that art and add it to their business. This was
no small undertaking; those already in the business were not anxious to
set up a rival, as they felt these young men sure to become, but after
much trial and vexation the Harpers learned the art, and were therefore
better able to carry on their rapidly increasing business. When they had
fully become established they ventured out upon a publication of their
own. They put out but five hundred for the first edition, taking orders
in advance from the booksellers about town. The two other brothers were
apprenticed to the firm of J. & J. Harper and, as soon as their time was
out, were taken into the firm.
In 1825 the firm-style was changed to Harper & Brothers. One of their
business maxims was, "Mutual confidence, industry and application to
business." This made the four one man. They ranked as equals in all
things, and the history of James Harper is the history of Harper &
Brothers. James being the eldest was once asked, "Which is Harper and
which the brothers?" He answered, "Either is Harper, the others are the
brothers." This was precisely the relation they bore toward each other.
In 1853 a workman threw a lighted paper into a tank of benzine which he
mistook for water, and property valued at $1,000,000 was destroyed; as
their insurance amounted to only about $250,000 their loss was great.
This was a terrible blow, but the next day they hired temporary
quarters, and the debris was hardly cleared away ere they had bought the
ground on which to erect the splendid building they have since occupied.
It is a most imposing structure, and is probably the most commodious,
and finest building in which to carry on a general book business, in all
its branches, in the world; every operation required to produce and
publish a book being carried on under one roof. The building is
absolutely fire-proof, and is seven stories high. Underneath are long
vaults in which their plates are stored.
In 1844 James was elected Mayor of the great city of New York. Mr.
Harper was a man of unusual ability, this was recognized by his friends
and towns people, but he was at the head of the largest publishing
business in the country, and was loth to leave it, therefore he refused
to be a candidate for Governor. He was always full of mirth and running
over with good humor, but he was business, morning, noon and night. He
remained actively engaged in business until he was nearly seventy-five
years of age, in fact he was still in business and enjoying good health
when he met an untimely death, caused by his horses running away in
Central Park, throwing him to the ground and injuring him so badly that
he died within forty-eight hours.
He was a devout Methodist, and a class-leader, but used some of the
Episcopal forms. He was a worthy example for our youth to imitate in
business or religious matters.