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 was 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.
