| Henry Clay Barritt was born in Champaigne County, Ohio,
September 1, 1830, second child of Captain Abner Barritt of the
United States army during the war of 1812, and originally from
Maryland, but who went to Ohio at an early age, and there became
a prominent pioneer. Henry Clay's mother's maiden name was
Rebecca Diltz, of Green County, Ohio, a well known family in
that part of the State. Mr. Barritt received his education in the
public schools of the county, and attended the Wittenburg
College, Springfield, for a short time. His father dying when he
Avas only fifteen years of age, he was forced to provide for himself
by earning his living on a farm for six years. In September, 1852,
he married Miss Elmira R. Reighart, daughter of John Reighart,
of Huldesburg, Pa., member of a leading Dutch family In 1852
they moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where Mr. Barritt purchased a
large farm. Here they remained till 1864, when they moved to
Powsheek County, and in 1876 to Montezuma, Iowa, where Mr.
Barritt engaged in the hotel business. In 1877 they moved back
to Ottumwa, from thence to Crawford County, Kansas, from
thence to Litchfield, Kansas, and in 1880 to Lamar, Missouri.
Remaining there eighteen months, they moved to Golden City, Missouri, Appleton City, Missouri, Clinton, Missouri, and from thence
to Savannah, Choctaw Nation, in all of which places Mr. Barritt
conducted the hotel business. In August, 1886 he moved to Vinita,
Cherokee Nation, and there took charge of the old Frisco House
for three years. In April, 1891, Mr. Barritt assumed charge of
the Cobb House, just then completed. Mr. and Mrs, Barritt have
eight living children, viz: Jerome, born July 29, 1857; Mary,
July 12, 1859; George J., April 16, 1863; Frank, March 24,
1865; Kate R., December 24, 1867; Charles F., December 23, 1869; Julia P., August 31, 1871; Ernest G., September 6, 1874.
Mr. Barritt in his recent career has had a great many ups and
downs, but he is now well situated, and doing a promising business
in one of the best hotel buildings of the territory. Besides his hotel
fixtures, Mr. Barritt has three lots in the city of Houston, Texas,
and other property. Mr. Barritt is a fine, energetic man, six feet
high, and weighing 215 pounds. His wife is a lady of good
education and highly thought of by all. |
