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Denver County, History of Colorado, BIOS: SEERIE, Peter (published 1918)
"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 140
PETER SEERIE.
Peter Seerie, member of the firm of Seerie & Varnum, contractors
of Denver, was born in Dundee, Scotland, February 27, 1880, a son of Edward R. and Margaret (Duff) Seerie, who came to America in that year.
They made their way to Denver and the father is now living retired in this city, but the mother passed away in Denver, May 11, 1917. The
family numbered eleven children, three of whom have departed this life. Those who survive are: Mrs. Elizabeth Findlay, Mrs. James Knox, Mrs.
Charles Hall and Mrs. W. E. Russell, all of Denver; Mrs. Isabella Miller, of Dundee, Scotland; Edward, a Denver contractor, and Captain
John D. Seerie of the United States Army. One son, David D. Seerie, who died December 23, 1917, was a prominent contractor. An extended sketch
of him appears elsewhere in this work. William Smith Seerie died in Denver in 1907.
Peter Seerie of this review was next to the youngest child in
order of birth. In early life he attended the public schools of Denver, after which he entered the old Central Business College. Two years
later he entered business with his brother as a contractor, becoming superintendent of work, and later he formed a partnership with Mr.
Varnum, organizing the firm of Seerie & Varnum. During the existence of
this firm they have erected many prominent buildings, including the county court house at Greeley, Colorado, and a number of sugar
factories throughout the state. They were also the builders of the North Denver high school, of the First National Bank building at
Lewiston, Montana; the building of the Prewitt Reservoir Company at Merino, Colorado, and others of equal prominence. The firm is now
engaged on a big government contract, the building of the base hospital at Aurora, one of the suburbs of Denver. They also laid the foundation
for the Colfax-Larimer viaduct in Denver.
On the 7th of June, 1909, Mr. Seerie was married to Miss Elsa
Himmilheber, of Denver, whose parents were pioneer people of the city, where her father was engaged in the contracting business. Mr. and Mrs.
Seerie have two children: Margaret Frieda, born in Denver in 1911, and David Duff, born in Denver in 1916.
In politics Mr. Seerie maintains an independent course, voting
for men and measures rather than party. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, having membership with both the York and Scottish
rites. A self-made man, his advancement in business has been the direct outcome of his individual capability, earnestness and thoroughness. He
has mastered every detail of the builder's art, and the importance of the contracts accorded him indicates to what success and prominence he
has attained since taking up contracting work on his own account. |
