Harrington, Harley H.

HARRINGTON, HOPKINS, ROOSEVELT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 1/28/2010 at 18:08:16

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Oct. 6, 1955

HARLEY HARRINGTON DIES; GRINNELL DRAYMAN 50 YEARS

One of Grinnell's most colorful figures, Harley H. Harrington, 72, passed away at St. Francis hospital there Monday.

Harrington, who started in business with a white horse and a spring wagon in 1900, operated a dray and taxi service in Grinnell for 50 years. He was a lifelong Grinnell resident. In recent years, townspeople contributed to build him a new house after he burned out.

He met all the trains and for many years hauled mail to and from the depot.

One of Harrington's rigs was a long wagon in which he hauled scenery from the depot to the old Colonial theater.

A story is told about how Harrington greeted Harry Hopkins, Grinnellian who ascended to high positions in the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, when he returned to Grinnell for a big homecoming celebration.

Apparently preferring to dodge the reception by "brass" at the back of the train, Hopkins went to the front where he was greeted by Harrington and chatted with him. Harry knew Hopkins through his boyhood and often gave Harry rides on his dray when the latter was a paper delivery boy.

Harrington's love for horses followed him into World War I service. He first served with the 109th Ammunition Train, 34th Division, at Deming, New Mexico. Harley later was sergeant in charge of horses with the remount depot.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at Smith funeral home in Grinnell.