George L. Harrington was born in Chautauqua county, New York, January 13, 1864. He is the son of Delos and Rebecca (Scott) Harrington, both natives of the state of New^ York, the father born in 1830, and the mother in 1833. There they grew up and were married and established the family home. Grandfather Riley Harrington was born in Otsego county, that state, and he came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1837 among the earliest settlers when the country was a wild native forest, the home of the Indian and wild beasts. e settled in Lafayette township, where, through hard work and economy, he developed a good farm. His wife died soon after coming- to this county, leaving three sons, and he was again married, and one child, a daughter, was born to his second union. Riley Harrington spent the rest of his life here and was well known among the pioneers.
Delos Harrington, father of the subject, left home when sixteen years old and for a time lived with Doctor Ellsworth at Hale’s Corners. He then returned to the place of his birth. He made the long overland journey across the great western plains to California in 1852, remaining three years in the gold fields, where he saved some money. Returning to the state of New York, he engaged in merchandising and other business. He was married in 1857 and in 1870 returned to Walworth county and purchased the old homestead in Lafayette township, where he successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising until his death, in 1896. His widow survives. They were the parents of two children, Frances and George L. The former married Henry Katchpaw. They made their home in Sugar Creek township, this county, where her death occurred, leaving two children, Maud and Erma.
George L. Harrington, was six years old when his father returned to Wisconsin, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools. He made himself useful on the old homestead during his boyhood days, and early in life turned his attention to farming, after completing his higher educational training at the high school at Elkhorn and Beloit College. He became owner of the old homestead, which he has kept under a high state of improvement and cultivation and carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, owning two hundred and twenty acres of as choice land as the county affords.
Mr. Harrington has always taken much interest in public affairs, and he served as chairman of the town board in Lafayette township for several years. He was secretary of the Walworth County Agricultural Society, from 1896 to 1902, his influence resulting in the rapid growth of that organization. He was elected sheriff of Walworth county in 1904 and served one term with eminent satisfaction to his constituents, discharging his every duty faithfully and ably. In December, 1909, he was appointed by Governor Davidson to fill out an unexpired term of sheriff, a vacancy having been caused by the death of Joseph T. Flanders. According to many of his supporters, he is one of the best sheriffs in every respect the county has ever had, and he enjoys the confidence and good will of all concerned. He is an active Republican, ever loyal to its principles.
Fraternally, Mr. Harrington is a Knight of Pythias and a Knight Templar Mason and has served as master of Elkhorn Lodge No. 77, Free and Accepted Masons, and as high priest of Elkhorn Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He stands high in fraternal circles in this section of the state. Mr. Harrington has been twice married, first, in 1888, to Mary E. Potter, whose death occurred in 1896, leaving two children, Percy and Mary. In 1898 he contracted a matrimonial alliance with Rebecca Minshall, and to this union one child, a son, Delos, has been born.
From: Beckwith, A.C. (1912). History of Walworth County Wisconsin