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Dr. B. Harrington, a well known and successful physician of North English, is also a leader in local financial
and commercial circles as the president of the Home Lumber Company, of which he is the principal owner and which
has eight yards and is capitalized for two hundred thousand dollars. Iowa county is proud to claim him as a native
son, his birth occurring in York township near Williamsburg, on the 12th of December, 1869. His parents, Orson
and Mary (Wakeley) Harrington, were both born in Chenango county, New York, and upon reaching years of maturity
were married at Plymouth, that county. In the early '60s, prior to the advent of the railroad in this part of the
state, the father came to Iowa to investigate conditions and if they were favorable to select a location for a
home. He left his family in Indiana, where they had resided for some two years, and after reaching the western
terminus of the railroad traveled from Davenport to Johnson county by horseback. He continued on his way until
he arrived in Iowa county and, being pleased with the land here, entered a homestead in York township. He then
returned to the Hoosier state and the following spring brought his family to Iowa. They settled, however, upon
a rented farm in Johnson county, where they lived for two years, after which they removed to the Harrington homestead
in York township, Iowa county. In the meantime the father had improved his property and their home was quite comfortable
from the beginning, as was usually not the case when a family settled upon a claim before it was improved to any
appreciable extent. Mr. Harrington met with deserved success in his agricultural operations and continued to reside
upon the homestead until his death, which occurred in 1897. He had survived his wife for ten years, as she was
called to the home beyond in 1887. He was a highly educated man and for two years served as superintendent of schools
in Iowa county, doing much to improve the pioneer schools. In early manhood he was for some time a professor in
a college in New York and subsequently engaged in merchandising in New York city. His experience, excellent education
and fine mind made him a recognized leader in his community and he was held in the highest respect by all who were
associated with him.
Dr. B. Harrington was reared at home and after completing the course in the district schools entered the Northern
Indiana Normal School, now known as Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, Indiana. After leaving that institution
he taught for about two years but at the end of that time began his preparation for the medical profession, entering
the medical department of the Iowa State University at Iowa City, from which he was graduated with the class of
1897. He still did not consider himself qualified for the best work as a physician and surgeon and went to Europe,
where he spent one year as an interne in the London Hospital, thus gaining firsthand knowledge of the methods used
by the best physicians and surgeons of the English metropolis and also becoming more skillful in diagnosis, his
work bringing him in actual contact with many diseases. In 1898 he returned to the United States and located in
North English, Iowa, where he has since remained. In the seventeen years that have elapsed since he opened an office
he has built up an extensive practice and ranks among the foremost representatives of his profession in this part
of the state. He has remained a constant student, not only observing closely and analyzing carefully the cases
that come under his own observation, but also profiting by an interchange of experience with his colleagues and
likewise reading widely along professional lines.
On the 28th of June, 1899, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Harrington and Miss Maud Foster, who was born in
Wellman, Washington county, Iowa. Their children are three in number: Beth, Florence Ruth and Arlan F. The parents
attend the Methodist Episcopal church and their influence makes for the triumph of right and justice. The Doctor
is a valued member of the Iowa County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical
Association and believes that every up to date physician should identify himself with such professional organizations.
Dr. Harrington is also a business man of more than usual ability and is connected with the commercial interests
of this county as president of the Home Lumber Company and as a member of the board of directors of the North English
Savings Bank. The lumber company of which he is the executive head controls eight yards and is widely known to
the trade. He is the principal owner of the concern and is one of the substantial residents of North English. His
success in his profession and in business circles commands the respect of his fellowmen and he is also held high
in the estimation of those associated with him because of his unswerving integrity and pleasing personality.
From:
History of Iowa County, Iowa
And its People
By: James C. Dinwiddie
Vol II
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chiago 1915
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