He was born 24 July 1834, in Dietz Herzogthum (Duchy) Nassau, Germany. Son of George Barth, of Germany and Micha Crass, of Oranian, Netherlands. In 1852 at 18 years of age, he would set sail from the shores of Havre, on a voyage of 54 days across the sea, landing on the shores of New Orleans, Louisiana, where he commenced worked at his trade as a shoemaker.
In the early days Moritz, and his brother Wm. Barth, traveled up the Mississippi where they worked at their trade as shoemakers. Between 1852 and 1864, they traveled, living in Belleville, Illinois; Parkville, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; Virginia City, Montana; and Colorado. Moritz, and his brother Wm. crossed the wide open plains, first with a two-ox team and later with a covered wagon, as they manufactured heavy nail boots for the Rocky Mountain Pike's Peak trade. Moritz returned home to Denver, Colorado in 1865, where the Barth Bros. were the first shoe manufactures and also the pioneers in the wholesale trade of Denver. In 1887 the Barth Brother's built the Barth Block, where they erected the Barth building. It was a fine four story business building located at the corners of 16th and Stout streets in downtown Denver. In 1882 Moritz hired architect, Frederick Carl Eberley, to construct a building near the Union Railway Station, located at 1514 17th Street, corners of 17th and Blake Streets, Denver. It became known as the Union Warehouse. Moritz realized that business men arriving on the train to conduct business were in need of a hotel near the train station. So he converted the warehouse into a 100 room hotel which became known as the Union Hotel. In 1905 the name was once again changed to the Elk Hotel, which Moritz still owned at his death in 1918. Passing the property to his only son, M. Allen Barth, who later renamed it the Barth Hotel, Denver. The Graymont Hotel located at corners 18th and California streets, in Denver, was purchased by Moritz Barth in 1902. It also was later renamed the William Penn Hotel. It was a three story hotel, that his wife, Georgia A. Barth, would later improve and remodel into a five story, with stores and a cafe on the ground floor and renaming it the Roosevelt Hotel.
Moritz Barth, came to America as a young man. With hard work and determination, he found the promise of a good life for himself and his family. He married on 7th day of January, 1880, taking as his bride Georgia Anna (Yates) Rhodus, of Kentucky. She brought with her into this union two children; son, James B. Rhodus, and daughter, Allie Rhodus, who Moritz Barth, adopted. They resided together at 1773 Grant Ave., Denver, Colorado, where on 23 September, 1890 their son, Moritz Allen Barth, was born. In 1903 The Moritz Barth family of Denver moved to Boston, where they resided at The Westminster, Copley Square. Enjoying frequent trips to Newport, Rhode Island and their vacation home in Kennebunk, Maine. Their daughter, Allie Barth, married Frank Newton Houghton, making their home in Worcester, Massachusetts. Their son, M. Allen Barth, graduated from Harvard University, in Boston, Massachusetts. Receiving his law degree from Denver University. He received Supreme Court Bar Admission in 1916; and later owned the Barth Hotel of Denver.
Moritz Barth possessed a keen business sense. He invested heavily in Denver real estate, which amassed him a fortune. He built the Barth Block which once occupied the City National Bank. He was a stockbroker and one of the directors of the City National Bank. He was also interested in the organization of the Bank of San Juan at Del Norte, Colorado. He was a director in the Denver Tramway, and the Denver Consolidated Tramway Company. He served as Treasure of the State School of Mines at Golden; and was President of the Denver Maennerchor. He belonged to the chamber of commerce and to the board of trade.
The legacy of a true pioneer such as Moritz Barth is worthy of remembrance. Who as a young man had sailed across the sea to America. Then crossed the open plains with a two-ox team and covered wagon, manufacturing heavy nail boots, during the gold rush, for the Rocky Mountain Pike's Peak trade . Contributing to the improvement and up building of the city of Denver, and the great silver State of Colorado. And so it was on the 5th day of June 1918, at 83 years of age, Moritz Barth, would draw his final breath. His funeral service was held at his late residence , 1375 High St., Denver, Colorado. Private interment followed at his M. Barth Mausoleum, at Fairmount Cemetery, in Denver, Colorado.
Submitted by Judy Froehlich
He was born 24 July 1834, in Dietz Herzogthum (Duchy) Nassau, Germany. Son of George Barth, of Germany and Micha Crass, of Oranian, Netherlands. In 1852 at 18 years of age, he would set sail from the shores of Havre, on a voyage of 54 days across the sea, landing on the shores of New Orleans, Louisiana, where he commenced worked at his trade as a shoemaker.
In the early days Moritz, and his brother Wm. Barth, traveled up the Mississippi where they worked at their trade as shoemakers. Between 1852 and 1864, they traveled, living in Belleville, Illinois; Parkville, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; Virginia City, Montana; and Colorado. Moritz, and his brother Wm. crossed the wide open plains, first with a two-ox team and later with a covered wagon, as they manufactured heavy nail boots for the Rocky Mountain Pike's Peak trade. Moritz returned home to Denver, Colorado in 1865, where the Barth Bros. were the first shoe manufactures and also the pioneers in the wholesale trade of Denver. In 1887 the Barth Brother's built the Barth Block, where they erected the Barth building. It was a fine four story business building located at the corners of 16th and Stout streets in downtown Denver. In 1882 Moritz hired architect, Frederick Carl Eberley, to construct a building near the Union Railway Station, located at 1514 17th Street, corners of 17th and Blake Streets, Denver. It became known as the Union Warehouse. Moritz realized that business men arriving on the train to conduct business were in need of a hotel near the train station. So he converted the warehouse into a 100 room hotel which became known as the Union Hotel. In 1905 the name was once again changed to the Elk Hotel, which Moritz still owned at his death in 1918. Passing the property to his only son, M. Allen Barth, who later renamed it the Barth Hotel, Denver. The Graymont Hotel located at corners 18th and California streets, in Denver, was purchased by Moritz Barth in 1902. It also was later renamed the William Penn Hotel. It was a three story hotel, that his wife, Georgia A. Barth, would later improve and remodel into a five story, with stores and a cafe on the ground floor and renaming it the Roosevelt Hotel.
Moritz Barth, came to America as a young man. With hard work and determination, he found the promise of a good life for himself and his family. He married on 7th day of January, 1880, taking as his bride Georgia Anna (Yates) Rhodus, of Kentucky. She brought with her into this union two children; son, James B. Rhodus, and daughter, Allie Rhodus, who Moritz Barth, adopted. They resided together at 1773 Grant Ave., Denver, Colorado, where on 23 September, 1890 their son, Moritz Allen Barth, was born. In 1903 The Moritz Barth family of Denver moved to Boston, where they resided at The Westminster, Copley Square. Enjoying frequent trips to Newport, Rhode Island and their vacation home in Kennebunk, Maine. Their daughter, Allie Barth, married Frank Newton Houghton, making their home in Worcester, Massachusetts. Their son, M. Allen Barth, graduated from Harvard University, in Boston, Massachusetts. Receiving his law degree from Denver University. He received Supreme Court Bar Admission in 1916; and later owned the Barth Hotel of Denver.
Moritz Barth possessed a keen business sense. He invested heavily in Denver real estate, which amassed him a fortune. He built the Barth Block which once occupied the City National Bank. He was a stockbroker and one of the directors of the City National Bank. He was also interested in the organization of the Bank of San Juan at Del Norte, Colorado. He was a director in the Denver Tramway, and the Denver Consolidated Tramway Company. He served as Treasure of the State School of Mines at Golden; and was President of the Denver Maennerchor. He belonged to the chamber of commerce and to the board of trade.
The legacy of a true pioneer such as Moritz Barth is worthy of remembrance. Who as a young man had sailed across the sea to America. Then crossed the open plains with a two-ox team and covered wagon, manufacturing heavy nail boots, during the gold rush, for the Rocky Mountain Pike's Peak trade . Contributing to the improvement and up building of the city of Denver, and the great silver State of Colorado. And so it was on the 5th day of June 1918, at 83 years of age, Moritz Barth, would draw his final breath. His funeral service was held at his late residence , 1375 High St., Denver, Colorado. Private interment followed at his M. Barth Mausoleum, at Fairmount Cemetery, in Denver, Colorado.
Submitted by Judy Froehlich
Inscription
M. BARTH