FOUND DEAD IN HIS CHAIR BY A NEIGHBOR

S.M. Harrington A Prominent Citizen Found Dead in His Chair At Home

S.M. Harrington, an old soldier, a large land owner and a prominent citizen of this community was found dead in his chair at his home in the northwestern part of town last week Thursday evening about 7’oclock by Antoine Engel a neighbor who called. Mr. Harrington was found sitting in his chair holding The Tornado in his lifeless hands and had evidentally been reading the obituary of the late Mrs. H. T. Nicolai. It is thought that he had been dead for some hours because his body was cold and rigor mortis had begun. Mr. Engel noticed that there was no smoke arising from the chimney and stopped in to see if the aged man was at home. He opened the door and on walking in and addressing Mr. Harrington who sat in the chair supposed he was asleep and on touching him found that he was dead. Mr. Engel notified Dr. Frybarger and also the relatives. Dr. Frybarger was unable to state whether death was due to heart trouble or high blood pressure. The deceased had suffered from the latter and it caused severe headaches although he had not complained lately and had been in his accustomed good health. The coroner was notified and an inquest held Friday afternoon with the following jury: Ed Olsson foreman, John Cooley, E.C. Bollenbach, L.K. Brainerd, J.W. Kelly and Wm. Shere. The verdict was that he came to his death while in his home in a a chair reading but the jury was unable to state the exact cause of his death.

After prayer and short services conducted by Rev. Ray W. Barber pastor of the Baptist church at the home early Saturday morning the remains accompanied by his two sons and their wives, Mr. and Mrs A.E. Harrington of this place and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Harrington of Sterling, were taken on the morning passenger train to his old home at Sandwich where services were held at the Baptist church at 2 o’clock, Rev. Norton the pastor officiating. Interment was in Oakridge cemetery, Sandwich. The casket was covered with beautiful masses of floral tributes. His wife who was at Naperville just recovering from an operation in a Chicago hospital was able to come out to Sandwich and attend the services During her absence in Chicago Mr. Harrington had been staying alone at his home.

Obituary.

Sumner M.Harrington was born in Joliet, Marc 24, 1841 where he spent his boyhood days and from which place in 1861 he answered his country’s call serving three years and nine months in active service and being promoted to a sergeant. After being honorably discharged he was married Sept 6, 1866 to Miss Cornelia Petty at Newark. He farmed for two years in Kendall county and then moved to a farm near Cambridge where he resided until 1894. He then moved to Sandwich where he resided until 1903 when he moved to Tampico having purchased a large farm southwest of town. Mrs. Harrington died March 4, 1894 at Sandwich.

Four children were born to this union, one of which died in infancy, those who survive are: A.E. Harrington of Tampico, Fay Harrington of Sandwich and Harry Harrington of Sterling.

The deceased was married a second time march 3, 1904 to Ida A Becker of Sandwich who with the three sons survive. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have made their home since their marriage in Tampico where both are honored and respected citizens. Mr. Harrington was a member of the Baptist church, was a man who stood for the right in the community and had made a success in farming having accumulated enough on which to retire. A splendid citizen who stood well not only back in his old home but in this community where he will be missed and mourned by relatives and friends.

Source: THE TAMPICO TORNADO, Tampico, Illinois April 17, 1919