The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-03-19
Empire Builder, Financier
Mining and Railroad Mag
nate Passes at Age of y.
Continued From Page One.

house to the largest In the state and
one OF the largest in the west.
Mr. Moffat was rated many times
millionaire, his wealth being estimated as
high as $40. 100000
Born in New York.
Mr.. Moffat was born in Orange county.
New York. July o.. 1889 When ~ years
York Exchange bank Of New York. City
and was soon promoted TO clerkship.
In 1855 he accepted the position as
teller to the banking house OF A. ];
stevens g. Co, Des Moines, Ia, and
there became acquainted with B. f.
Allen. who rendered him the position OF
Omaha.
After four years of service in this ca
pacity Mr.. Moffat started for Denver by
wagon train. attracted by the stories OF
gold discoveries in Colorado.
Shortly after arriving In the capital
city OF Colorado Mr.. Moffat entered into
together they established a small sta
tionery business. which continued for
In 1871 Mr.. Moffat married Fannie a.
Buckhout OF Saratoga. n. Y. One
daughter. Mrs. ]. A. McClurg OF Denver.
was born OF this union.
Organizes First National Bank.
Returning 70 the business Of his earlier
days. Mr.. Moffat, on April II. 1865, or
ganized the First National Bank Of Den
yer.
MIR. Moffat next embarked In mining
and real estate, with Jerome y. Chaffee.
who later became governor Of Colorado.
Among the mines which he secured con
Bruce Iron mine at Leadville and the
Henrietta al Lcadvile. Later he pur
chased The stock Of fTpner GnitSd TED StntGs ,ts
Pittsburg. which added greatly to his
wealth.
Thoroughly convinced OF the future OF
| (tDir do Nv
one thing she needed was railroads In
chief ,ns ne " pasc 'ss Stair qaroad n
forming conjunction at Cheyenne, Wyo,
Later Mr.. Moffat organized the syndi-
cate which financed the Denver & South
let for the mines at Leadvllle, This road
In time became part OF the Colorado ado
& Southern system, 3n nov Owned Wn;d by vli me
ley railroad was completed Mr. Moffat
was prevailed upon 10 accept the treas
urership and was responsible for the con-
ern Colorado coal fields:
For many years Mr., Moffat was presi
road road. The Florence Cripple Creek
railroad. connecting the great Cripple
Creek gold camp with the Denver & Rio
Grande road. was largely, creature OF
| his determine ton to develop.
Although Mr. Moffat might have re-
ceived almost any office within the gift
! Of the people OF Colorado, he did not care
! for office. He did. however, in response
to the wishes Of his personal friend.
| Governor Evans. serve as adjutant gen
eral OF the territory, and was for four
| years territorial treasurer.
In later years Mr.. Moffat devoted prac-
| tically all his time 10 the presidency OF
the First National bank and to the Mof
fat road. These were his hobbies. and
although his mining interests at the time
! OF his death were extensive. he was con-
tent 10 allow his associates 10 look after
them.
man. Many OF the old time prospectors
and men of the bills he met In the
enrlier days. upon whom fortune did not
fat. were beneflciaries OF his bounty. He
helped To tide over many business men
during panicky timee. particularly during
the panic OF 1893 when his bank was one
OF the few to survive In Denver.
Tribute Paid Years Ago.
One of the most characteristic eulogics
Of Mr., Moffat was spoken several years
OF the deceased. Fitz Mac said.
'IIis friendship takes not so much the
smiling the helping turn. / speak not
OF what he gives away in charity. but in
a straight business way he has helped
more than any other man In the state,
That would be little to say Of him now,
because he is the richest man In the
state. but II would have been truly said
Of him long before he became the rich
est man. and actually was widely said -
One OF Mr.. Monat's recent biographers
said:
Great riches bring great responsible
ties. but did all our men of wealth pos
sess the helpful. practical sympathy that
has made Mr.; Motfat man among men,
there would be less Of the socialstic
spirit prevalent in our country and an
archism would be relegated Ia tho dark
ages or to unenlightened Countries, where
X might hope to find followers"
Colorado has experienced a most de-
l0Ec xaid CI,r.nr ,f.r.li -,