David H. Moffat
Moffat was one of Denver's most important financiers and industrialists in late 19th and early 20th century Colorado, and was responsible for the development of the Middle Park area. He served as president, treasurer and as a board member of railroads, banks and city government posts. By the time of his death, Moffat had claims to over one hundred Colorado mines and nine railroads.
Moffat was born in Washingtonville, New York. When he was twelve years old, Moffat moved to New York City, where he began work as a messenger boy in the New York Exchange Bank (now Irving Exchange National Bank). While his starting position was a minor one, he was eager to learn the banking business, and was soon noticed by the bank president, who promoted him to assistant teller.
In 1855, Moffat made his way to Des Moines, Iowa and became a teller at A. J. Stevens & Company. Moffat moved his way up in the Des Moines banking industry, until in 1860, he moved to Denver, Colorado where he opened a bookstore on 15th and Larimer. The book and stationery store was not highly profitable, so after a few years he went back to banking. In 1867, Moffat started at the First National Bank of Denver as a cashier. Moffat worked his way up, eventually becoming president in 1880. He instituted polices and methods which led to the growth and success of the bank for years to come.
A visionary, Moffat used bank funds to finance numerous railroad projects that would prove to be instrumental in the development of Colorado. Many viewed Moffat as ahead of his time, and his legacy lives on today in the Rio Grande Western Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad, the Moffat Tunnel and Moffat County.
Sources:
Athearn, Robert G. (1977). The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad: Rebel of the Rockies. University of Nebraska Press.
The Moffat Tunnel at www.Colorado.gov
Moffat Library of Washingtonville at www.moffatlibrary.org
White Hills Arizona Mohave Museum at www.ctaz.com
Salida Colorado History - Chaffee County Colorado 125th Anniversary Timeline at www.salida.com
Colorado Hwys: Major Non-State at www.mesalek.com]
Moffat was born in Washingtonville, New York. When he was twelve years old, Moffat moved to New York City, where he began work as a messenger boy in the New York Exchange Bank (now Irving Exchange National Bank). While his starting position was a minor one, he was eager to learn the banking business, and was soon noticed by the bank president, who promoted him to assistant teller.
In 1855, Moffat made his way to Des Moines, Iowa and became a teller at A. J. Stevens & Company. Moffat moved his way up in the Des Moines banking industry, until in 1860, he moved to Denver, Colorado where he opened a bookstore on 15th and Larimer. The book and stationery store was not highly profitable, so after a few years he went back to banking. In 1867, Moffat started at the First National Bank of Denver as a cashier. Moffat worked his way up, eventually becoming president in 1880. He instituted polices and methods which led to the growth and success of the bank for years to come.
A visionary, Moffat used bank funds to finance numerous railroad projects that would prove to be instrumental in the development of Colorado. Many viewed Moffat as ahead of his time, and his legacy lives on today in the Rio Grande Western Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad, the Moffat Tunnel and Moffat County.
Sources:
Athearn, Robert G. (1977). The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad: Rebel of the Rockies. University of Nebraska Press.
The Moffat Tunnel at www.Colorado.gov
Moffat Library of Washingtonville at www.moffatlibrary.org
White Hills Arizona Mohave Museum at www.ctaz.com
Salida Colorado History - Chaffee County Colorado 125th Anniversary Timeline at www.salida.com
Colorado Hwys: Major Non-State at www.mesalek.com]
