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Couple of places you might check:
Yukon Archives regarding information on the Yukon Order of Pioneers. I think they are located in Whitehorse.
Also, Tanana Valley Historical Society, PO Box 1794, Fairbanks, AK 99707
Harper's obit as published in The Pathfinder of Alaska (a publication of the Pioneers of Alaska) mentions that not much is known of his early life. Indicates he died in Yuma, 24 Nov 1897.
Stewart Menzies from Pacific Northwest Quarterly, April 1941 (which you might be able to get through interlibrary loan) indicates that about 1881 Harper and Al Mayo had a tradining post at what is now Eagle. Harper apparently also collected specimens for the Smithsonian. In 1889 he was at 60 Mile and in 1893 at Fort Selkirk. At one time he must have been in partnership with Leroy N. "Jack" McQuesten as Menzies mentions that partnership was dissolved in 1889.
In 1895, Menzies took the Steamer Bever up the Yukon or Trader "Al" Harper.
In a copy of a letter from McQuesten to Albert McKay of Berkley, dated 1 July 1905, Alaska Historical Library, Juneau, AK, MS 13 Box 5 #5, McQuesten indicated that in the Spring of 1873 A. Harper, and others, came down Nelson River from Fort St. John. Then they went to Reliance. Sept. 1875 Harper went to 60 mile and discovered gold there in Sept. Spring of 1876 Harper and Mayo left for St. Michael. Instead of returning, they took charge of the Tanana Station. Then Harper went on to Fort Selkirk (no time mentioned).
Have you checked Arizona death records? I know that they are awful hard to get because Arizona has a "closed" records system, in my opinion.
If Harper died owning land in Alaska, there probably would be a probate record; however, finding it could be fun. It could be here in Juneau at the State Archives or it could be in Fairbanks or it could be at the National Archives in Anchorage???
If I run across more information, I'll let you know.
Hope some of this might help. By the way, have you checked with Canada for any information on Fort St. John in the 1870s?
Janet
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