My Genealogy Hound

Francis M. Harrington, one of the truly representative citizens of Adair County, is the son of Martin and Catharine (Hagaman) Harrington, and was born at Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., N. Y., December 5, 1837. In an early day the father immigrated to Illinois, and became an agriculturist, a calling to which his son naturally grew up. While not engaged about the home farm Francis devoted his time to the acquirement of an education, and afterward spent quite a period as a teacher in the public schools. His inclinations leading toward a professional life, he began the study of law at Pittsfield, Ill., and attended lectures in the law department of the University of Chicago, from which institution he was graduated in 1866. In July of that year he opened a law office at Kirksville, Mo., and from that time to the present he has successfully practiced his chosen profession in this county and surrounding country. As one of the oldest established attorneys in this section of the State, as well as by reason of his ability, and learning, he has built up a worthy reputation, and for several years served as county attorney. In 1868 he was chosen to represent this district in the State Legislature, and his career while in this position was such a creditable one that he was re-elected, and has continued to hold his seat until the past year. Such a record needs no additional words of comment. He has ever taken a prominent and hearty interest in all progressive movements, and was especially active in securing the location of the North Missouri Normal School at Kirksville; it is deserving of mention that while in the Legislature he secured an appropriation of nearly $36,000 for this school. He was one of the incorporators, and is now a stockholder of the Kirksville Savings Bank. In December, 1868, Mr. Harrington was married to Miss Martin Dutcher, of Barry, Pike Co., Ill., born in 1844. They have had six children, five of whom are living — two sons and three daughters. Mr. Harrington is much devoted to reading, and has one of the best libraries in the city.