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Transcribed from:  The History of Florida:  Past & Present,

The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. II, page 149, 1923.

BARRITT, WILLIAM J.  There is an old saying to the effect that nothing

breeds success like success itself, and there is sound reason behind

the seeming platitude, for it is true that people prefer to deal with

and confide their affairs to those who have already proven their ability

to transact business in a successful manner.  Therefore it is that

few men are engaged in one line of business alone, but if they have

achieved distinction in it, are urged to give to some other one some

of their care and attention.  Such is the case with WILLIAM J. BARRITT,

whose interests are many at Tampa, although he is best known to its

citizens as a manufacturer of pure, high-grade ice cream.

English by birth, WILLIAM J. BARRITT was born in London, England,

January 6, 1879, and was but six years old when brought to this

country by his parents, WILLIAM and ANNIE (KITTIRIDGE) BARRITT, who

located in Florida in 1885, and became valued residents of Sanford,

later moving to Mount Dora, and subsequently to Tampa, where the

father still resides.  The mother died in 1899.  Of their five children

three reached maturity, but WILLIAM J., the eldest born, is now the only

survivor.

Growing up in Florida, WILLIAM J. BARRITT attended its public schools,

and was taught by his watchful father to make himself useful, both

at home and in the grocery which the latter was conducting.  Until he

was nineteen years old the young man continued with his father, but

then branched out for himself and went into a dairy business in Tampa.

His initial enterprise was conducted upon a very small scale, but it was

carried on so intelligently, and the service rendered was so excellent,

that business grew, and when he sold it in 1912 Mr. BARRITT had the

largest concern of its kind in the city.  In the meanwhile he had become

interested in the production of ice cream, and when he sold his dairy

business he threw his energies into the building up of a large plant

for the purpose of producing a fine grade at reasonable prices.  In this,

too, he has been very successful, and now has three plants and gives

employment to thirty persons, he being the most extensive manufacturer

of ice cream at Tampa.  He sells only at wholesale.  Interested as a

stockholder in a number of enterprises, he not only owns stock in the

Bank of Commerce, but is one of its directors and its vice president.

When Tampa adopted the commission form of city government Mr. BARRITT was

chosen and elected a member for the first board of commissioners, and

was chosen by the board as mayor pro tem, which office he now holds.

Fraternally he is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias.  In him the Methodist

Episcopal Church has one of its most active workers, and he has long

belonged to this denomination.  He is also a director of the Y. M. C. A.,

and an active member of the Rotary Club.

In September, 1899, Mr. BARRITT was united in marriage with BLANCHE I. McNEAL, of

Zanesville, Ohio.  Mr. And Mrs. BARRITT have five children, namely:  JAMES D.,

JANE A., EDNA D., WILLIAM J., Junior, and HARVEY M. Having lived in Tampa for

so many years, Mr. BARRITT is naturally interested in the city's welfare, and is

proud of the fact that he has occupied a position where it has been possible

for him to contribute much toward its development.

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