Mayors of Holland - Biographies

Edward J. Harrington was born on July 30th, 1832. In 1845 his father came to Black Lake (Lake Macatawa) with government surveyors before the founder of the Holland colony, A.C. VanRaalte's small group of immigrants, had arrived to the area. Later, his father led VanRaalte from Allegan to Holland by oxen. In 1847, Edward moved with his parents from New York to Filmore Township, Michigan. Large in stature, he went into the forest and with his axe and earned enough in six years to return to New York and marry Matilda, the girl he courted during his school days. They were married on Sept. 6th, 1853. They had four children: three daughters and a son.

Edward taught in Filmore district schools for a few years before becoming a successful mercantile businessman. His endeavors and accomplishments as a businessman were manifold. He was best known for his maritime trading business and general store. At one point Harrington's trading business, had a fleet of eight schooners, which delivered forest products to Chicago, Milwaukee, and Racine. He erected wooden docks and a warehouse at the head of 4th and 5th Street and a store on 8th St., as well as a sawmill, all of which were for his successful trading business. In 1854, he owned 240 acres of land in Filmore as he became active in real estate. During the years in which he was involved with real estate he created a "resort town" called Harrington's Landing, later Virginia Beach, right on Macatawa Bay. In 1864, he returned to Filmore Township and served as a treasurer and supervisor. He filled a vacancy as the town attorney from 1867-1868 until an experienced candidate was secured. In 1871 his store, docks, and warehouses were burned to the ground in the Holland Fire. He also lost his schooner, Elmira, when it sank off the coast of Pier Cove near Saugatuck. But he quickly recovered from the fire and returned to the business scene. He built the first brick building after the fire. In 1876 he rebuilt his store and went back into the mercantile business. In 1882 he built a livery barn at 7th and Central, which stood for the next 45 years.

Somewhat overshadowed by his business career was his involvement in politics. Especially interested in municipal affairs, and running on a Republican ticket, Harrington served three terms as mayor of Holland.

After his mayorship, he became an ex-officio member of the Board of Education, which was a stipulation clause in the city's charter of those days. He also served as Alderman of his ward for several years.

He died on August 1st, 1921 at the age of 89.

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