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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1893.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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A. H. HARRINGTON. The life narrative of the head of a family is interesting, not only to his posterity, but also to the citizens of the section in which he has resided, and this truth is doubly true when such a man has established for himself and his children a reputation for integrity, character and ability, and has been of value in the development, of that portion of the country which was his home. Such a narrative do we have in this sketch of A. H. Harrington, who was born in Oswego County, N. Y., July 1, 1847.

His father, Almer S. Harrington, was also a native of the Empire State and was three times married, his first wife being Miss Sarah Hopkins, the mother of our subject. Of the four children born to this union, A. H. Harrington was the youngest, and he was reared and educated in his native county. When about twenty-one years of age young Harrington decided that he could better his conditions in the West, and about 1868 he came to Michigan, locating in Niles Township, Berrien County. He became much esteemed for his many estimable qualities, was public-spirited and enterprising, and became one of the best-known men in the county. For many years he held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Buchanan and contributed liberally of his means to its support. Farming was his principal occupation in life, and in this he met with the success that follows industry and economy. In his political views he was a stanch Republican, and so popular that he held many of the township offices, discharging the duties of the same in a competent and efficient manner. Warm in his temperament and firm in his convictions, his death, which occurred February 12, 1889, was the occasion of universal sorrow.

His widow, formerly Miss Mary Cain, is a native of Michigan, born in Niles Township, Berrien County, April 22, 1850. Her parents, George and Youthey (Comer) Cain, were natives of Ireland and Indiana, respectively. Mr. Cain crossed the ocean to America when a young man, and came direct to Berrien County, Mich., where he married Miss Comer. She died when Mrs. Harrington was about six years old. To her and her husband were born seven children, two sons and five daughters. John served in the Civil War and died from exposure; Noah died while fighting for the Old Flag; Susan, wife of P. R. Hooker, resides in Iowa; Mary is Mrs. Harrington; Lizzie is the wife of N. Lemon, of Missouri; Mattie is the wife of J. M. Rogers; and Fannie is the wife of F. C. Egbert, of Big Rapids, Mich.

Mrs. Harrington was fourth in order of birth of these children. She was reared near Buchanan, and supplemented a common-school education by attending the Buchanan schools. She married Mr. Harrington on the 22d of September, 1868, and two sons were born to this union: Floyd B., at home, and. Frank A. Mrs. Harrington has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres, and this she carries on with the help of her sons. She is a lady of excellent judgment and sound sense and is very popular in her neighborhood.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published in 1893. 

View additional Berrien County, Michigan family biographies here: Berrien County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Berrien County, Michigan here: Berrien County Michigan Map

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