SKETCHES OF STATE OFFICERS. 249
Mr. Harrington was reared on the farm, and until he was
16 years of age attended the public school at Madison, going
then to St. John's College, Annapolis. He completed the five
years' course in. four years, graduating with the degree of
A. B. in 1884, and taking second honors in his class. The
M. A. degree was conferred on him in 1886. He showed a
decided fondness for outdoor games, and caught for four
years on the St. John's baseball team.
Upon graduation in 1884 Mr. Harrington was appointed
tutor in the preparatory department of St. John's and taught
for two years, the last half of the second year filling the place
in the college department of Professor Hagner, who was ill.
At the close of the second year Mr. Harrington was elected
Assistant Professor of Latin and Mathematics at St. John's.
He accepted the position, but resigned before entering upon
the duties of the position, when Dr. William. H. Hopkins, the
acting principal of the college, left to accept the presidency
of the Woman's College, Baltimore, becoming principal of
Cambridge Academy, Cambridge. He held the latter posi-
tion for three years. At this time the Academy and Female
Seminary were merged to form Cambridge High School, and
Mr. Harrington was elected principal. He held the position
for nine years, being re-elected every year by the unanimous
vote of the twenty-four trustees.
He studied law while teaching and was admitted to the
Bar. In 1898 he resigned as principal to devote his entire
energies to the legal profession. In 1899 he was elected
State's Attorney and served until 1903, when he was defeated
for re-election. He was a vigorous prosecutor of all offences,
especially violations of the liquor and oyster laws, and this
fact, together with divisions in his party, brought about his
defeat.
Mr. Harrington ranks high as a lawyer, his clientele being
many of the most prominent citizens of the county and hav-
ing a wide range.
He was appointed Insurance Commissioner in November,
1910, and was elected Comptroller in 1911 by a majority of
about 7,800 votes.
Mr. Harrington was re-elected Comptroller of the Treasury
in 1913, for a term of two years.
Mr. Harrington married Miss Gertrude, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. William T. Johnson. They have three children, two
sons and a daughter.
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