George C. Marriott

In the modern city no municipal service has been developed to a higher point of efficiency and of greater usefulness to the property and welfare of citizens than the fire protection service. In its fire department the City of Quincy need fear comparison with no other city of its size in the middle west, since both in equipment and personnel it is modern and to the highest degree effective.      Much of the credit for not only the material equipment but for the disciplined efficiency of the department is due to its chief, George C. Marriott, who has had a long and active service as a fireman, covering more than a quarter of a century.     Though a resident of Quincy most of his life, Mr. Marriott was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 26, 1865, a son of Frank and Catherine (Weisenburger) Marriott. His father was a native of France and his mother of Germany. His father was a contractor and builder, and died in Louisiana when his children were small. In 1883 the widowed mother brought her family to Quincy, George being then eighteen years of age. There were four children: George C.; Catherine, wife of Edward Hartzell, of Quincy; Mrs. Marie Delabar, a widow; and Ellen, wife of William Weise (should be Meise), of Quincy.     As a boy George C. Marriott received a rudimentary education in the public schools of Louisiana. At the age or fourteen he was working with his father, but at fifteen he left school to take the place of his father, who had died, and from that time forward was the mainstay of the family until the younger children were grown. He learned the cooper's trade and followed it about five years, part of the time in Quincy. Then for four years he worked in a local flour mill, and in 1891 began his duties and experience as a member of the Quincy Fire Department. He is a veteran in the service, and has helped fight fires in Quincy for more than a quarter of a century. In 1907 he was made assistant fire chief, and in 1911 was appointed chief of the department, a position which he has now held for seven years.     September 21, 1897, Mr. Marriott married Emma S. Fischer, a daughter of Christopher and Annie (Durant) Fischer. Both her parents are now deceased. Mr. Marriott is a democrat in politics and has fraternal affiliations with the Knights of Pythias, Court of Honor, Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is also well known among Illinois firemen and has frequently attended conventions of the fire fighting organizations from this state. [submitted by Charla Weisenburger]