David Waldo was an American trader, physician, banker.
Background
David Waldo was born in Clarksburg, Harrison County, Va. (now W. Va. ). He was the son of Jedediah and Polly (Porter) Waldo and a descendant of Cornelius Waldo who settled in Ipswich, Massachussets, as early as 1647. In his early youth he engaged in rafting logs down the Ohio River.
Education
He attended medical college. He pursued his medical studies at Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky.
Career
In 1820 he moved to Gasconade County, Mo. , where he prospered, and served in various county offices. He was also major of the militia. Determining to attend medical college, he set about cutting pine logs in order to finance his education. Binding his logs into a large raft, he floated them down the Gasconade, Missouri, and Mississippi rivers, and delivered them to Laveille and Morton at St. Louis for the sum of $500. Waldo began to practise medicine in Gasconade County, but soon moved to Osceola, then to Independence, Mo. , and finally to Taos, in what is now the state of New Mexico. On May 5, 1829, he received his third degree in Masonry from Missouri Lodge No. 1, but he subsequently returned to Taos; he became a citizen of Mexico in 1830, and an ayuntamiento of Taos. He is supposed to have become interested in commerce as early as 1827 and he finally gave up his practice to enter the Santa Fe trade, in which he continued for over thirty years. He amassed a great fortune before the Mexican War, and returned to Missouri, where he subsequently became captain of Company A in the regiment commanded by Alexander William Doniphan. One of his brothers was killed at Mora in 1847. After the war, Waldo returned to Independence, Mo. . Of several fortunes acquired in the overland trade, Waldo lost two - one by a storm when trading in Chihuahua, and the other by reason of a fire which destroyed his large train of merchandise intended for trade with Fort Laramie. During the Mexican War he rendered useful service in translating documents captured from the Mexicans by American troops. An ardent Mason, he gave a valuable lot in Taos to Bent Lodge No. 204, on June 15, 1860. After his retirement from the overland trade he made contracts with the United States government for carrying provisions to the army at distant points and carrying mail to Santa Fe. The latter part of his life was devoted largely to banking. He died in Independence, Mo.
Achievements
Personality
It is said that his sustained energy, perseverance, and indomitable will gave him a force quite irresistible. He had quick perception and sound judgment, was honest and fair in all his dealings, and was generally liked and respected. He owned and enjoyed a large and valuable library and spoke French and Spanish with facility.
Connections
On March 27, 1849, married Eliza Jane Norris at Mount Sterling, Ky. They had five children.