San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 808
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 1/31/2010
WALTER D. HARRINGTON
A man of enterprise, practical and progressive, Walter D. Harrington is now serving in the capacity of city engineer of Tracy, San Joaquin County. His birthplace was Virginia City, Nev., and he first saw the light of day on November 16, 1879. His father, John D. Harrington, is of English and Scotch extraction, while his mother, Mrs. Estella Harrington, comes from the old Stover family originating in Perth, Scotland; both were born and reared in New England, whither their parents had removed before the Revolutionary War. Walter D. received his education in the schools of Nevada and after finishing high school entered the University of Nevada from which he was graduated as a mining engineer in 1903. After his graduation he followed mining engineering for a short time; then was engaged as hydraulic engineer by the United States in U.S. Geological Survey; in the fall of 1904 he became an engineer in the U.S. Reclamation Service and this work covered a period of ten years, with the exception of a short time when he was with the war department. He then became construction engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in California and for the Oregon Short Line at Salt Lake, and finally returned to California and has since followed irrigation and general hydraulic work.
On June 24, 1909, in Provo, Utah, Mr. Harrington was united in marriage with Miss L. Katherine Dobler, a daughter of Jacob Dobler. Her father was at one time an active member in one of the few successful co-operative colonies in western Colorado. In 1919 he and his family removed to California. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington are the parents of three children: Fontaine, Mildred, and Walter Delbert, Jr. Mr. Harrington was appointed city engineer of Tracy in May, 1920, and his expert knowledge has proven him of great value to the community. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Shriner and Sciot, and also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Politically he gives his support to progressive, constructive legislation, regardless of party lines, supporting the best man for public office. In his religious faith he is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is the president of the board of trustees of that body. During the Spanish-American war he served as trumpeter of Troop M. of the Rough Riders in Cuba.
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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