Harper, George, 1918-2004.

George Harper was born in 1918 in Atchison, Kansas. After attending Atchison public schools (Lincoln School and Atchison High School), Harper attended St. Benedict's College. He then worked as a superintendent at Kerriford Quarries in Nebraska and Missouri as well as a maintenance mechanic at the Rockwell Transportation and Equipment Division. There he served as president of the Local Union 6934 of the United Steel Workers of America. While working as a mechanic, Harper was also a City Commissioner; he was first elected in 1973, becoming the city's first African American City Commissioner. He was reelected in 1975 and 1977. In 1979, Harper became Atchison's first African American mayor. He served in that position until his retirement in 1981.

Harper was active in the community, serving on the advisory council for the Atchison Community Development Corporation and as a member of the Atchison Co. Committee for Correction Reform and the Atchison Recreation Commission. He was also an active member of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

On 12 June 1947, George married Evelyn R. Wofford. Evelyn Wofford was born 15 June 1913 in Kansas City, Kansas to Hence and Laura Wofford. After attending schools in Oklahoma and Wisconsin, Evelyn attended New York University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree. She received her Master of Arts in Sociology from Columbia University and her Education Specialist Degree from the University of Kansas. In 1937, Evelyn began work at Oklahoma's Langston University and, six years later, she became an elementary and junior high school principal. Upon returning to Kansas, Evelyn worked as an Executive Secretary at Kerford Quarry before continuing her work in school's in 1947. At that time she became principal at Lincoln School (Atchison), where she worked until 1955, when she became a reading teacher at Atchison High School. In 1973, she became the School's Associate Principal and, in 1976, she became Principal of Atchison Junior High. She held that position until her retirement in 1983. She was recognized for her work in education with several awards, including the Kansas Teacher of the Year (1966) and the Master Teacher Award (1966).

Evelyn was very active in various organizations, acting as President for a number of them, including the Les Dames Literary Club, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the Kansas State Teacher's Association, the Kansas Council of the International Reading Association, the Atchison branch of the American Association of University Women, and the Kansas branch of the National Education Association. She also was a charter member and president of the Topeka Chapter of Links, Inc. She also served as Vice Area Director and Area Director for the Central Area of that group.

Evelyn Harper died 23 May 1992 in Atchison. George Harper follwed her on 19 March 2004.

From the guide to the George and Evelyn Harper papers, 1933-1987, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)