Joseph Rider Farrington was an American newspaper editor and statesman who served in the United States Congress as delegate for the Territory of Hawai"i.
Background
Farrington was born in Washington, District of Columbia While still an infant, he moved to Honolulu, Hawai"i with his parents where his father began work as an editor for the Honolulu Advertiser and later the Honolulu Star-Bulletin newspapers.
Education
Farrington attended Punahou School and, upon graduating, studied at the University of Wisconsin.
Career
To Wallace Rider Farrington, the future Territorial Governor of Hawai"i. He dropped out of college in June 1918 to enlist in the United States Army. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of field artillery in September 1918 and discharged the following December.
He returned to the University of Wisconsin–Madison and graduated in 1919.
As soon as he obtained his degree in Wisconsin, Farrington returned to Honolulu to follow in his father"s footsteps and entered the newspaper business. He became a reporter and then editor of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
In 1939, Farrington succeeded his father to become president and general manager of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, an office in which he served until his death. Farrington began a part-time political career as secretary to the Hawai"i Legislative Commission in 1933.
The following year he was elected to the Hawaii Territorial Senate, an office he served in through 1942.
On January 3, 1943, Farrington was sworn in as a Republican delegate to Congress. He died in office in Washington, District of Columbia on June 19, 1954. Farrington was buried in the Oahu Cemetery in Nuʻuanu Valley in Honolulu.
Achievements
Membership
Member American Legion, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Delta Chirurgical Clubs: Outrigger Canoe, Pacific Lions, Commercial (Honolulu).
Connections
Married Mary Elizabeth Pruett, May 17, 1920. Children: Beverly (Mistress Hugh Richardson), and John.