SKETCHES OF STATE OFFICERS. 273
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.
On November 2, 1915, he was elected Governor for a term of
four years from the second Wednesday in January) 1916.
Secretary of State: THOMAS WHITELEY SIMMONS (Demo-
crat), Cambridge, Maryland.
Thomas Whitely Simmons, Secretary of State, was born in
Cambridge, Maryland, August 17th, 1867. He is the son of
Josias 8. and Leah Catherine Simmons. Before her marriage,
his mother was Leah Catherine Beckwith. Mr. Simmons is by
direct descent, related to the well known Howard, Beckwith
and Whiteley families of Maryland. At the age of sixteen he
began his business career as a bank clerk, in the employ of the
National Bank of Cambridge, Md., where he remained until
he was twenty-one years of age. He was afterward connected
in an official capacity with the Dorchester National Bank of
Cambridge, and with the Farmers and Merchants National
Bank of Cambridge. He was active in the organization of the
latter institution and became its first Vice-President, which
connection he retained until he removed to New York. While
in the employ of the Dorchester National Bank of Cambridge,
Mr. Simmons entered upon the study of law and after pur-
suing his studies for several years, he passed his law exami-
nations and was admitted to the Bar in July, 1892. He at
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