San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1383
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 1/31/2010
MRS. SOPHIA HARRINGTON
A native daughter of California, Mrs. Sophia Harrington was born at Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County. She was in maidenhood Sophia Buyck, her father being John Francis Buyck, a native of Belgium, who, having been left an orphan when a small boy, made his way to New York City and there made his own livelihood. When he heard of the discovery of gold in California he resolved to come hither, and became one of the argonauts of '49. Coming via Panama to San Francisco, he immediately made his way to the mines in Calaveras County, where he followed mining until 1851. He returned east via Panama and was married that same year to Miss Mary Bruton, a native of the great metropolis, of Scotch-Irish parentage. In 1852 Mr. Buyck brought his bride via the Isthmus to San Francisco. On the way they were wrecked on the “Georgia” and they spent three days in an open boat, when they were picked up, and their boat was the only one ever accounted for.
On his arrival in California, Mr. Buyck again followed mining, being located at Mokelumne Hill, residing there until he died. His widow spent her last days in Stockton. Of their family of eight children four are living. Sophia, who is the fourth in order of birth, was brought up at Mokelumne Hill, receiving a good education in the public schools. About this time her mother removed to Railroad Flat, in the same county, and soon after this, in 1875, Sophia was married to Frederick J. Harrington, who was a native of Brighton, Mass., born Nov. 24, 1847, a son of Joshua and Rosina (Wright) Harrington. He came with his parents to California in 1859, where the elder Harrington owned a big copper mine at Campo Seco, Calaveras County, and there he attended public schools and assisted his father until he volunteered his services for the Civil War. On November 29, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, Seventh California Infantry, serving until he was mustered out in San Francisco, May 28, 1866, after which he resumed mining and in time became owner of the Bonanza Mine at Mokelumne Hill. After disposing of it he continued mining, and unfortunately at a cave-in at the Gwinn Mine in 1900 he was severely injured, being laid up for some years. On recovery he came to Stockton in 1906, being in the employ of Robert Powell, the contractor, as timekeeper until 1918. He was taken ill by paralysis and he passed away July 16, 1918. He was a past commander of Rawlins Post No. 29, G.A.R.
Mr. and Mrs. Harrington had seven children: George F., of Rio Vista; Samuel S., deceased; Charles R.; Mrs. Grace G. Gallagher; Mrs. Mary A. Folsom; Frederick, Jr.; and Leonard McKinley, all of Stockton. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Harrington continues to reside in Stockton, surrounded by her family and many friends. She is a member of Rawlins Relief Corps and attends the Christian church, in both of which she is deservedly popular.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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