[1] Harper was born on 12 January 1848 at Stratfield Mortimer, Berkshire, England.
His parents emigrated to Christchurch in New Zealand on the Egmont, arriving in Lyttelton on 23 December 1856.
On 13 July 1875, Harper married Emily Hope at St Andrew's Church in Bebington, Merseyside, England.
[7] On 23 January 1919, Harper married Sibella Ross at St John the Baptist Church in Christchurch.
[5] Harper died on 6 January 1930 at Christchurch[2][9] and was buried at Barbadoes Street Cemetery.