Denver County, History of Colorado, BIOS: SEERIE, David Duff (published 1918)
***********************************************************************
USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any
format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons.
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain
the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative
of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof
of this consent.  The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb 
Archives to store the file permanently for free access.
***********************************************************************
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643
August 30, 1999
***********************************************************************

"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II

p. 84, 86
photo p. 85


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 oŁ 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.