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| JOHN E. HARRINGTON, farmer, sec. 12, Morton Tp., was born May 13, 1854, in Woodbridge Tp., Hillsdale Co., Mich., and is a son of John D. and Ellen S. (Sickler) Harrington. His mother died when he was seven years of age, and his father lived on the plac ein Woodbridge Tp., two years, then removed to Day Tp., Montcalm Co., Mich., where he bought a farm, and is now aresident of that township. J. C. Harrington found pioner life somewhat distasteful, and went back to his native county, where he readily found employment, and was engaged until fall in farm labor, when he took advanateg of an opportunity to work nights and mornings for his board, and go to school through the winter. This arrangement precluded the necessity of using his hard-earned wages, and he loaned his money at a fair percentage. In the spring he bought a cow, took her to Montcalm Co., and gave her to his father. In the spring of 1872 he went to Grand Traverse Co., Mich., where he bought 80 acres of land in a primeval condition, and began to clear a farm, working in true pioneer method. He built a log house 12 x 14 feet, covered it with hemlock bark, and secured a home (though it was little more than a shelter), of which he took possession with the utmost cheerfulness and courage. He was married March 7, 1875, to Emily Stowell, daughter of Robert and Mary Stowell, who was born in Kent Co., Oct. 16, 1855; after which event he settled on a farm near Stanton, Montcalm Co. where he resided until June 1882. At that date he purchased his present farm on sec. 12, in the village of Mecosta, where he has made rapid progress in improvements, clearing away timber, cultivating the land, erecting farm buildings, and putting the place in the best possible state for farming. Although he has been resident but a year, the work accomplished seems incredible. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington are the parents of five children: Cora E., born Feb. 14, 1876; Edith I., born Oct. 10, 1877; Ethel L., born June 23, 1879; Leona E., born Feb. 14, 1881; Edwin D., born Feb. 10, 1883. |