Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-07-27

The life of Frank Harrington, which
with few more days would have
rounded the unusual span of 80 years,
richly deserves a pause III our days
occupation and thinking about it.
lie never sought praise and this is
not written to praise him but to
weigh fairly ms life and to note its
real worth to his family and the
community.
Tie outlines, like those for many a
good citizen, can be quickly drawn.
He was born in China, July IS, 1882.
His parents came to Augusta about
TWO years later and within the next
two had acquired the land and built
the house whore his son now lives.
This was his home for many years
until he built the house on the next
lot south and there he lived for the
rest Of his life. So that practically
ono place in Augusta was his home
during his long life. He was cducat-
cd in our common schools. In his
thrtiCS he felt the drawing influence
OF the west, which appealed to so
many, and went the Pacific Coast
W
returned to Augusta and married Cor
della Wilson who survives him. There
followed very happy married life
blcst with the births of n daughter
and a son. whom he saw grow UP to
become, the former one of the sue
ccssful teachers in our city schools
ana the other successful lawyer of
this city.
In 1869 he became City Marshal and
served for nine years through the year
1873 In 1884 he was asked to serve
again and did SO for one term during
that year. In 1889 he became Asses
sor OF Taxes and served for nine years
through 1906. He was for a number
Of years trustee Of the Williams Dis
triCt schools before the districts were
consolidated under the present sys-
tenn
These few facts win give hints Of
tho man but We can fill in the outline
into a more living picture and it is
worth while in these days somewhat
confused and disturbed.
He was possessed OF unf1inchinE,
fearless courage, due in part to a
large, SPLENDID physique and in part
Z" Il strong answering will. He was
mentally vigorous. Naturally endow-
cd with n loyalty } principle, found
so much in New England, he did his
own thinking. He was a great reader
and kept himself informed through
ont life along many lines. This trait
continued until almost the end for up
10 May Of this year he had read to
him. his own sight having well nigh
failed. the daily papers, keeping in
touch with events and talking about
them as he always had.
AS 4 result of these characteristics
he met ~Hory duty of private life
and public life with straightforward
ness. squarcnesS, courage and fidel-
itv. And this community saw for
nine years what public officer ac-
tultei hy such principles and motives
can do. There was clean. orderly
government so far as he was con-
ccrnod lie wagcd an unremitting
war against the saloon. In the face
Of threats of personal violence he
moved straight on. But as one who
lad felt through him the strong
firm hand Of impartial law said in
after years Frank harrington never
had favoritc. lie was square and
used us all absolutely alike"
When he closed his nine years ser
vice as city marshall, the kennebec
Journal said this of him, and he
cherished it all his life:
In the course of events, Mr..
Frank l.. Harrington, who has for
! nine consecutive years served in the
position of Chief of Police of this
city, retires from that place. These
are years Of service upon which he
may look back with honest pride
and which should furnish pleasant
| material for reflection. should he en-
Joy little leasure from the active
duties of life to which he is so Justly
entitled. We venture the assertion
that in the capacity which he has
go long and honorably filled it would
he extremely difficult to find 4 man
to take his place. He has all the re-