Nat Harper

Nat Harper
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia for Pingelly
In office
3 October 1911 (1911-10-03) – 21 October 1914 (1914-10-21)
Preceded byElectoral district created
Succeeded byHenry Hickmott
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia for Beverley
In office
16 August 1910 (1910-08-16) – 3 October 1911 (1911-10-03)
Preceded byJohn Hopkins
Succeeded byFrank Broun
Personal details
Born
Nathaniel White Harper

(1865-03-18)18 March 1865
Ballymena, County Antrim, United Kingdom
Died3 January 1954(1954-01-03) (aged 88)
West Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Resting placeKarrakatta Cemetery
NationalityIrish
Political partyLiberal
Spouse(s)
Margaret Jane Thomas
​
​
(m. 1891; died 1921)​

Olive Estelle Story
​
(m. 1924)​
Children5
RelativesBill Grayden (grandson)
David Grayden (grandson)
ProfessionMine manager, investor

Nathaniel White Harper (18 March 1865 – 3 January 1954) was an Australian politician and businessman. He was a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1910 until 1914, representing the seats of Beverley and Pingelly. He was the grandfather of politicians David Grayden and Bill Grayden.

Early life

Nathaniel White Harper was born on 18 March 1865 in Ballymena, United Kingdom to John Harper, a farmer, and Margaret Harper (née White).[1][2]

Mining career

Harper emigrated to New Zealand in 1883 where he worked in a gold mine in Otago. In 1987 he moved to Australia, working mines in Broken Hill, New South Wales and earning the position of mine foreman. From there, he went on to manage a mine in Zeehan, Tasmania. Harper arrived in Western Australia in 1892, managing mines first at Fraser's mine in Southern Cross and later at the White Feather Main Reef in Kanowna.[1][2]

Political career

Harper was mayor of Kanowna three times between 1897 and 1901.[1][3][4]

In 1897, he stood for election in the seat of North-East Coolgardie, losing to Frederick Vosper by 53 votes.[1][4][5]

His next foray into politics was more successful, with Harper winning the seat of Beverley in the Legislative Assembly in a 1910 by-election. He defeated opponent Walter James by 92 votes.[6] The by-election was called following the imprisonment of the incumbent, John Hopkins, which rendered the seat vacant.[7]

Harper was again elected to the Legislative Assembly at the 1911 election, this time for the Pingelly seat.[8] He served a full term and stood again at the 1914 election this time being defeated by Henry Hickmott of the Country Party, 889 votes to 657.[1][9]

Personal life

Harper married Margaret Jane Thomas on 19 September 1891 at her family home in Naseby. The couple has two sons and a daughter. Margaret died on 15 September 1921.[1][2]

On 5 September 1924 Harper married his second wife, Olive Estelle Story at Scots Church in Melbourne, Victoria.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia: Nathaniel White Harper". Parliament of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Hoddinott, Ann (2006). "Nathaniel White Harper (1865–1954)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Mr. Nat. Harps". The Pingelly Leader. Vol. 3, no. 154. Pingelly. 5 August 1910. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ a b "Mr. Hat Harper". The Beverley Times. Vol. VI, no. 259. Beverley. 6 August 1910. p. 5. Retrieved 17 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "FEDERAL ELECTIONS". The West Australian. Vol. XXVI, no. 7415. Perth. 1 January 1910. p. 8. Retrieved 17 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "BEVERLEY ELECTION". The Evening Star. Vol. 13, no. 3824. Boulder. 17 August 1910. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "The Beverley Electorate". The Albany Advertiser. Vol. XXII, no. 2836. Albany. 20 April 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 17 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "The New Assembly". The Albany Advertiser. Vol. XXIV, no. 2989. Albany. 11 October 1911. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS". The Register. Vol. LXXIX, no. 21203. Adelaide. 24 October 1914. p. 9. Retrieved 17 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.

Nat Harper at Trove

Western Australian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by
Electoral district created
 Member for Pingelly
1911–1914 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member for Beverley
1910–1911 		Succeeded by