Biography of William J. Barritt, Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL

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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.