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Note: John, the son of John J. and Anna (Stanton) Harrington, was born August 22, 1901 and passed away on Thursday, January 23, 1986.
He married Berniece Lorraine Shane on August 1, 1921 at Gregory, S.D. and to this union were born two sons, John J. and James Dennis; two daughters, Mary Maxine and Marlene Ann.
John attended grade school at St. Mary's Academy, graduated from O'Neill High School, Class of 1918. He attended Washington College of Law in Washington D.C., receiving his degree L.L.B. in 1941, and the American University there receiving his Juris Doctor, in 1941. He was also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Public Speaking and Leadership Training in 1950.
He was employed at Chicago Northwestern Railway as a clerk, telegrapher and station agent from 1919 to 1936; served on the United States Railroad Retirement Board in Washington, D.C. and Chicago, IL as an Examiner. He was a Field Agent, Chief of Division, Attorney-Adjudicator from 1936 to 1963 when he retired.
He enlisted in the United States Navy from 1918 to 1919 as radioman. John joined the World War I movement in the late 1950's at old "Chuck Sanders" Barracks in Chicago, IL, was National Legislative Director in June 1966, Commander of the 7th Region, Veterans of WWI from 1979 to 1980; was National Alternate Junior Vice Commander in September 1980, National Junior Vice Commander from 1980 to 1981; member of the National Legislative Committee in September 1981; was elected National Commander of WWI but had to decline due to illness. He was President International Assoc. from 1948 to 1949; U.S. Selective Service System Appeals Agent for the State of Nebraska 1970 to 1972, and a life member of Order of Railroad Telegraphers from 1925 to 1970. John was a permanent member of American Legion Post No 93, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Morse Telegraph Club of America, Inc.
John was elected Mayor of O'Neill in 1968 and served in that position until 1974. During his administration the new City Hall and swimming pool were erected. He was a charter member of the Holt County Barracks No. 2229, the Veterans of WWI of the U.S.A., also an Honorary Admiral of the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska.
He was a great sportsman, playing football in high school as a quarterback on Coach Janda's All-Star Football Eleven. He also played on the Dallas American Legion Basketball Team - Champs of the Rosebud Country in 1925; the Dallas Town Team (baseball) in 1922, the O'Neill Town Team (baseball) as centerfielder and third baseman with a batting average of 357 in 1927; Holt County All-Stars in 1933. In later years he was a great supporter of both O'Neill High and St. Mary's sports programs along with all O'Neill town sports, especially the O'Neill Irish baseball team.
He was a good provider, a fine husband and a great father. He will always be missed.
Marlene Harrington, daughter, 2007
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