Mary Harrington
MRS. MARY HARRINGTON DIED AT PLANO
Newspaper, 1912.
WAS ONE OF THE EARLY PIONEERS OF SOUTH COLLIN – INTERMENT AT ROWLETT CREEK CEMETERY.
Died at Waco, Tex., May 13, 1912, Mrs. Mary E. Harrington, one of Collin county’s most honored and loved pioneers. Interment at Rowlett Creek cemetery, Rev. M. L. Fuller officiating. She was born May 5th, 1830 in Shelby county, Kentucky, where she spend her childhood and girlhood. She was united in marriage at 17 years of age to Mr. Silas Harrington and set out immediately for Texas, their new home, which he had previously prepared for his young bride, three and one-half miles from Plano on Spring Creek. This was in 1848. There was then no railroads anywhere in the state of Texas. They came by steamboat from Louisville to Helena, Ark. From there coming overland by private conveyance to Collin county. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Ben Matthews, Mr. Lige Yeager and wife and others from Oldham county, Ky. Some of the descendants of these families make many of citizens of old Collin yet. For nine years she and her husband lived on Spring Creek. The Russells, Browns, and Beverlys being their neighbors.
As they were coming overland Mrs. Harrington said she was anxious to see the town of McKinney, as her husband had told her they would live near the county seat, so some one of the party pointed out one lone log cabin with a flag on top proudly waving in the prairie breezes, and she was told that this was McKinney. This beautiful county of ours at present all laid out in fine farms, was then one vast prairie with here and there a log house, being the only signs of life. From Spring Creek Mr. and Mrs. Harrington moved to Lebanon, where on June 23, 1871 her husband died. So in 1882 she moved to Plano and settled for the remainder of life. Eight children were born to them to bless and fill her days with love and labor. From the death of her husband, she took up the burdens of life, bravely managing her affairs with an unerring hand; even unto the end of her life her mind was bright and clear and her judgment capable. After her marriage she joined the Baptist church with her husband and ever afterwards through life she remained a loyal, consistent member. She was a true mother, always looking to every interest of her children. She was generous to the cause of her Master and to those in need. Her friends were legion. Many times has the writer sat and listened to her loving words of counsel and sweet memories of the early days of our community. She loved much and much loved. She leaves seven children to mourn her loss, six sons and one daughter, Mrs. W. B. Schimelpfenig, Alfred S. Harrington, Matt H., William L., J. Leslie and Silas and E. O. Harrington of Plano. It has been said that children are either a crown of glory to their parents, or a garment of shame. We can say that her life speaks for itself in her noble sons and sweet Christian daughter. Her life has not been in vain. Verily in the words of the Wise Man, “Her children arise up and call her blessed.”...Mrs. J. H. Bowman
[Picture taken March 17, 1910]
Newspaper, 1912.
WAS ONE OF THE EARLY PIONEERS OF SOUTH COLLIN – INTERMENT AT ROWLETT CREEK CEMETERY.
Died at Waco, Tex., May 13, 1912, Mrs. Mary E. Harrington, one of Collin county’s most honored and loved pioneers. Interment at Rowlett Creek cemetery, Rev. M. L. Fuller officiating. She was born May 5th, 1830 in Shelby county, Kentucky, where she spend her childhood and girlhood. She was united in marriage at 17 years of age to Mr. Silas Harrington and set out immediately for Texas, their new home, which he had previously prepared for his young bride, three and one-half miles from Plano on Spring Creek. This was in 1848. There was then no railroads anywhere in the state of Texas. They came by steamboat from Louisville to Helena, Ark. From there coming overland by private conveyance to Collin county. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Ben Matthews, Mr. Lige Yeager and wife and others from Oldham county, Ky. Some of the descendants of these families make many of citizens of old Collin yet. For nine years she and her husband lived on Spring Creek. The Russells, Browns, and Beverlys being their neighbors.
As they were coming overland Mrs. Harrington said she was anxious to see the town of McKinney, as her husband had told her they would live near the county seat, so some one of the party pointed out one lone log cabin with a flag on top proudly waving in the prairie breezes, and she was told that this was McKinney. This beautiful county of ours at present all laid out in fine farms, was then one vast prairie with here and there a log house, being the only signs of life. From Spring Creek Mr. and Mrs. Harrington moved to Lebanon, where on June 23, 1871 her husband died. So in 1882 she moved to Plano and settled for the remainder of life. Eight children were born to them to bless and fill her days with love and labor. From the death of her husband, she took up the burdens of life, bravely managing her affairs with an unerring hand; even unto the end of her life her mind was bright and clear and her judgment capable. After her marriage she joined the Baptist church with her husband and ever afterwards through life she remained a loyal, consistent member. She was a true mother, always looking to every interest of her children. She was generous to the cause of her Master and to those in need. Her friends were legion. Many times has the writer sat and listened to her loving words of counsel and sweet memories of the early days of our community. She loved much and much loved. She leaves seven children to mourn her loss, six sons and one daughter, Mrs. W. B. Schimelpfenig, Alfred S. Harrington, Matt H., William L., J. Leslie and Silas and E. O. Harrington of Plano. It has been said that children are either a crown of glory to their parents, or a garment of shame. We can say that her life speaks for itself in her noble sons and sweet Christian daughter. Her life has not been in vain. Verily in the words of the Wise Man, “Her children arise up and call her blessed.”...Mrs. J. H. Bowman
[Picture taken March 17, 1910]
