George M. Harrington - A Life
George M. Harrington was an important figure in Willimantic’s history, becoming mayor after administrative changes in 1893, when Willimantic became an independent city rather than a borough of Windham (see Willimantic’s First City Election). The city folk saw it essential that their first mayor be a capable leader; not only would the mayor be responsible for managing the new governmental structure, but the city was facing a steadily-increasing debt which had to be managed without placing too much of a burden on the laboring mill families. His decisions as mayor likely had a large impact on the general feelings in the city - a successful mayor can bring a sense of stability or even pride to a city.
George M. Harrington was born on September 25, 1849, in Killingly, CT, and grew up an orphan. He entered the mercantile industry at a young age, working in W. H. Choliar & Co in Danielsonville until the age of 23, when he started his own business in Versailles, CT, then moved to run A. & W. Sprague Company’s general store in Providence, RI, then B. B. & R. Knights General store in Pontiac, RI.
Harrington then came back to Connecticut and purchased the Windham Manufacturing Company’s store on July 21, 1874. The building is still standing today at 24 Bridge Street. He ran the store until 1883, when he took a year-long vacation and then joined E. M. Durkee and George E. Stiles to start a wholesale grocery business, later known as Stiles and Harrington Co, which became one of the largest in Eastern Connecticut, according to the Hartford Courant. The ability to take such a long vacation, potentially to tour the United States or Europe, indicates his success and an accumulation of wealth to support himself.
According to the Willimantic Chronicle, Harrington was known for selling “groceries, boots & shoes and domestic dry goods, and offered delivery of any goods ordered to any part of the village” from Upper Main Street. Harrington had a residence at 80 Maple Avenue in a second empire styled home, built in 1875. His home is now St. Mary’s Convent in the Prospect Hill Historic District.
Harrington’s apparent skill in business was not his only asset as he faced the election of 1893. He had already served as burgess in 1880. He then served the community as a warden in 1882 and was noted as one of the best the borough had ever seen. He was involved in amending the borough charter and increasing structure among the police during his time as warden.
It then follows that George Harrington was a contender to become mayor in 1893, as he was a respected businessman and civil servant. Further, this particular election stressed the character of each candidate. Harrington likely had populist support, as he became successful by working hard after being orphaned - the industrious mill workers may have respected this highly. Perhaps less important, Harrington was also registered as a dog owner in 1881… some say having a dog can reflect good character. (I was also amazed to find this piece of information and could not resist including it.)
Harrington was credited with being a successful mayor by Taylor’s Legislative History, commended from all sides for managing the economy and general government of the city. However, he only served from 1894-1895. He later served as State senator from 1903-1904. According to Allen Lincoln, he was on the Board of Incorporators of St. Joseph’s hospital in 1908.
George M. Harrington died at the age of 71 on February 26th, 1921. He was survived by his wife Mary E. Wilson Harrington, who lived until 1948. Both were buried in New Willimantic Cemetery - it seems they had no children.
Sadly, there seems to be a lack of further digital information on George Harrington, especially after his time as mayor. Perhaps this information will be more accessible after COVID.