Harper, John Bradford, 1855-1908

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1855 - 1908

Biographical Information

John Bradford Harper was the single graduate (in chemistry) of Purdue's first graduating class, in 1875. Harper was born in Fort Madison, Iowa in August 1855. He came to Purdue as a junior with chemistry professor Harvey W. Wiley from Northwestern Christian University of Indianapolis, now known as Butler University. Though a graduate in chemistry, Harper is historically known as a pioneer in civil engineering. Harper's most notable work is the Zuni Dam (at the time, the largest of this type to be constructed), an irrigation project using high-pressure water hoses to blast away the hillsides on either sides of the Zuni River, and then filling the dam with the resulting debris. The dam was a prominent display of engineering skill in its time.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Clippings Concerning Purdue Graduates scrapbook

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSP 261

Content Description One scrapbook containing clippings related to Purdue graduates from 1907-1909. Contains index (in the front). Majority are newspaper clippings which cover news related to the lives of Purdue graduates and topics cover career advancements, death announcements, alumni gatherings/meetings, athletic achievements, talks, graduates moving out of the US to places like Philippines and Vietnam to work, etc. Other items include Commencement Program booklets for different schools (e.g. School of...

Dates: July 27, 1898 - June 30, 1909; Majority of material found within June 5, 1907 - June 30, 1909

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

The Purdue student newspaper (1875) collection

Collection — Box Communal Collections 70, Placement: 3

Identifier: MSP 312

Scope and Contents

Includes three issues of The Purdue student newspaper of 1875.

Dates: April 1875 - June 1875