HARRINGTON, TIMOTHY P.

HARRINGTON, OLEARY, JOHNSON, SWETTING

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 3/25/2004 at 13:26:15

Biography reproduced from page 500 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

One of the old established law firms of Algona is that of Harrington & Dickinson, which was organized July 1, 1899, and has since been in continuous existence. The prominence and capability of its members are attested by the extensive clientage accorded them, connecting them with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of the district. Algona has been the scene of Mr. Harrington’s entire professional service and in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit he has worked his way steadily upward. He as born December 17, 1867, at New Diggins, Wisconsin, a son of John P. and Margaret (O’Leary) Harrington, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father was a sailor in early life and, having come to America in boyhood, he enlisted in the United States navy and served during the Mexican war. Subsequently he was married in Massachusetts and removed to Wisconsin, where he reared a large family of six sons and three daughters, of whom Timothy P. Harrington was the youngest son and the next youngest in order of birth in the family. The mother died in Wisconsin in 1872 and ten years later the father removed to Wright county, Iowa, his death occurring in Winnebago county, this state, in 1899.

Timothy P. Harrington was educated in the common schools of Wright county, supplementing the work he had already done in the schoolroom in Wisconsin. He was fourteen years of age at the time of the removal to this state and after he left the public schools he entered upon a law course in the University of Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899, winning the degree of LL.B. He then came to Algona and organized the firm of Harrington & Dickinson on the 1st of July, 1899. This relationship has since been maintained and the firm is regarded as one of the strongest practicing at the bar of Kossuth county. Mr. Harrington’s devotion to his clients’ interests is proverbial and this devotion includes careful preparation of his cases and strong presentation of his facts before court or jury. His reading is broad, his reasoning logical and his deductions sound.

Mr. Harrington has always been closely identified with the city of Algona and the county of Kossuth, in their growth and substantial upbuilding. He was a member of the city council for a number of years and now belongs to the school board. He is also a member of the library board and is the present secretary of the Kossuth County Agricultural Society—associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the breadth of his activities. He filled the office of county attorney from January 1, 1903, until January 1, 1907, and in politics has always been a stalwart republican, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party and its principles.

In 1902 Mr. Harrington was united in marriage to Miss May Johnson, of Algona, a daughter of Mrs. E. V. Swetting, of this city, and they have two children: Howard, who was born January 22, 1906; and Robert J., whose birth occurred May 6, 1909. Mr. Harrington and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church and are active in support of various projects for the moral progress of the community. He is in thorough sympathy with the fraternal spirit that underlies the Knights of Pythias organization, holding membership in Algona Lodge, No. 174, in which he has filled all the chairs. He is likewise a member of Algona Lodge of the Yeomen of America. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance in this city, in which he has now lived for thirteen years, and he stands high both socially and professionally.

(Photo of T. P. Harrington is printed in the book.)

Kossuth Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen