William I. Garriott

William I. Garriott, former auditor of Hancock county and one of the best-known insurance agents in this part of the state, district agent for two well-known companies, with offices at Greenfield, was born at Warrington, this state October 22, 1865, and has lived in Hancock county, Indiana, all his life. He is a son of Henry C. and Eliza A. (Newman) Garriott, the former born in Brown township, this county, July 1, 1842, and the latter in Virginia, February 22, 1844, both of whom are still living, having for years made their home in Wilkinson.

Henry C. Garriott was reared on a farm in Brown township and became a farmer. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted for service on behalf of the Union cause in Company A, Fifty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served for more than four years, during which time he received but one serious wound, which, however, did not permanently incapacitate him. Upon the completion of his military service he returned to the farm and was engaged as a farmer, also working at times as a carpenter, until 1874, in which year he traded his farm for a store at Warrington, which he conducted until 1899. He also built a store room at Wilkinson in 1880 and there engaged in the mercantile business until his retirement from active business life about 1906, since which time he and his wife have continued to make their home in that village. Mr. Garriott is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic; a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the blue lodge and the chapter at Shirley, and of the commandery at Knightstown, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are earnest members of the Christian church and their children were reared in that faith. There were thirteen of these children, four of whom are now deceased, leaving nine sons, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others being as follow: Charles O., of Knightstown, this state; Frank E., of Muncie; Henry A., of Indianapolis; Korac C., of Wilkinson; Oliver N. of Greenfield; Homer C., of Kenard; John W., of Wilkinson and Herbert L., of Columbus, Ohio.

William I. Garriott was reared at Warrington, receiving his education in the schools of that village, and when fourteen years of age took his place in his father's store, where he was well grounded in the principles of the mercantile business. When his father moved to Wilkinson in 1880 he became practical manager of the store in the latter place, and in 1889 bought the store at Warrington. There he remained in business until 1901, in which year he sold the store and moved to Greenfield, where he entered the H. B. Thayer "Spot Cash" department store, with which concern he remained until his nomination by the Democratic party as the candidate for county auditor in the campaign of 1902. He was elected in the fall of that year and took office in 1904, serving a full term of four years. Upon retiring from office Mr. Garriott opened an insurance office in Greenfield and has ever since been very successfully engaged in that business. In February, 1913, he bought a one-half interest in the district agency for the Fidelity Phenix Fire Insurance Company, and in November, 1914, bought the remaining interest, since which time he has been district agent for that company for the territory comprising fourteen counties, with supervision over ten agents. He also is district agent for the Standard Live Stock Insurance Company of Indianapolis, and agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Company, of New York, and is doing a flourishing business in his chosen line.

On June 19, 1886, William I. Garriott was married to Fannie Belle Armstrong, who was born in Franklin county, this state, July 27, 1868, daughter of William V. and Sarah (Lockwood) Armstrong, both natives of that same county, prominent farming people there, and to this union two children have been born, Ethel Fay, who married Paul H. New, of Greenfield, and Lawrence E., who married Beulah G. Meek, and also lives in Greenfield. Mr. and Mrs. Garriott are members of the Christian church and take an active and earnest interest in local good works. Mr. Garriott is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the blue lodge and the chapter at Greenfield, is a charter member and past chancellor of Wilkinson Lodge No. 136, of the Knights of Pythias, and is now a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 20, at Greenfield; a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of the Greenfield lodge of Improved Order of Red Men, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Pages 915-917.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI September 27, 2001.

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