The George and Rhoda Harper family of Fort Madison was quite unusual. Of the four boys, the oldest became a dentist in St. Louis, and the three youngest boys all became Lee County doctors. The first Harper doctor, William, left Iowa to attend first, Howard University in Washington, D.C. and then went on to complete Howard University Medical School. While in Medical School, he received word that his mother had died. He cabled home that he only had money enough to either finish the semester of school or to come home for the funeral. The family replied that he was to stay in school, his mother would have understood. Harper had a medical practice in Keokuk from 1918 until his death in 1958. His son, William Harper, Jr. practiced first with his father and then on his own until his death in 1975.

(top left) Photo of Dr. William Harper, Sr. circa 1920

(top right) Photo of Dr. William Harper, Jr. at a Lee County Polio clinic in 1962

(bottom left) Dr. Harry Harper, Sr., brother of Dr. William Harper, practiced medicine in Fort Madison from 1926 to 1971. Both of his sons also became doctors practicing briefly in Fort Madison. Dr. Harry Harper was very active in city affairs and was president of the Fort Madison NAACP for many years. He was appointed to the first Iowa Civil Rights Commission in 1965.

Photo of Dr. Harry Harper, Sr., (left) with his sons, Dr. Harry Harper, Jr., (center) and Frank Harper (right) circa 1968 ~Collection of AAHMCCI - Gift of Lois Eichacker

(bottom right) Dr. George Harper, Sr., practiced medicine with his brother, Harry Harper, Sr., in Fort Madison from 1939 until his death in 1965.

Photo of Dr. George Harper, Sr., his wife Stella, and three sons, from left Robert, George and Ernest, circa 1950 ~Collection of AAHMCCI – Gift of Lois Harper Eichacker