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Denver County, History of Colorado, BIOS: SEERIE, David Duff (published 1918)
"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 84, 86
DAVID DUFF SEERIE.
David Duff Seerie, contractor and manufacturer, born in Scotland,
March 11, 1862, was a son of Edward and Margaret (Duff) Seerie, the former now seventy-nine years of age, while the latter passed away in
May, 1917, at the age of seventy-five. He was educated in the public schools of Scotland, and coming to Denver in 1880, worked at his trade
as stone cutter. From a small beginning Mr. Seerie worked up a large business, until he became not only one of the leading business men of
Colorado, but also of the entire west. Thrift and energy, backed by faith in himself and good executive ability, together with a quick
insight into the future and possibilities of Colorado, were utilized by him, in reaching his well deserved success.
After obtaining a start, he became associated in 1885, with
William F. Geddis, in the contracting business under the firm name of Geddis & Seerie. His partner, also one of the prominent men of the
state, and with whom he was associated for many years, was, with Mr.
Seerie, engaged in some of the largest and most important construction work in the west. The firm soon established a reputation that stood
second to none, and obtained many large and responsible contracts. So successful was the firm that later they confined their operations only
to large contracts.
They built the Cheesman dam for the Denver Water Company. This
dam, with the exception of the new Roosevelt dam, is the largest in the world. It contains the large Denver water supply, and
in its construction, may well be considered one of the wonders of the west.
Engineers from all parts of the world have favorably commented on its massive structure, solidity and safety of construction, as a gigantic
piece of work that has been well and substantially built. This feat alone is sufficient to establish for them a lasting and permanent
reputation of the highest character. They also constructed the large Pathfinder dam in Wyoming. A lasting monument to the well deserved
reputation of Geddis & Seerie is the State Capitol building, which they
constructed. It is the most imposing structure in Denver or the Rocky Mountain region. To their list of building achievements, must also be
added the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. Branching out into other fields they built the Omaha Post Office.
There followed a period of dull times after the financial
depression of a few years ago, and large contracts, which they only desired to take, being scarce, contract work in this section was
discontinued, and here they branched into a new avenue of business in building up the Denver Sewer Pipe & Clay Company, of which they were
the owners. This is one of the largest plants in the west, and the same success followed them in this new enterprise. The firm manufactures
brick and sewer pipe, and their plant has developed into a vast enterprise that covers about thirty acres and employs three hundred
men, and their payroll is one of the largest in Denver, the firm being one of the leading manufacturing establishments in the city.
Mr. Seerie, during his active life was always public-spirited and
one of Denver's leading boosters, which in fact, he had been since he came to Denver in 1880, for the faith he then had in the future and
resources of Colorado, was a prominent feature in his own success to the very end. He was also active and prominent in public, civic and
political life. He served as the last sheriff of old Arapahoe county, filling that office with honesty and high executive ability, employing
in it the good common-sense methods he used in private business. He was a mason of high standing, having reached the thirty-second degree in
that order, a Knight Templar, a past potentate, El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine, an Elk, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Denver Club,
the Overland Club, (now the Lakewood Club) the Country Club and the Denver Athletic Club. He was a member of the Board of Public Works for
two years and the Fourteenth street viaduct was built while he was on the board.
Mr. Seerie was united in marriage in 1887, to Miss Margaret
Price, a native of Iowa, born in Iowa City. She was an early resident of Boulder, Colorado, and died in 1906. They had no children.
Mr. Seerie died in Denver, December 23, 1917, at the age of
fifty-six years. |
