Background
High Moffat was born in Coldstream, Scotland in 1810.
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Hugh Moffat
Edit ProfileCareer
He soon emigrated to America, settling first in Albany, New York, and in 1837 moving to Detroit. He began work as a carpenter, and built up a successful and profitable business as a builder, constructing, among other things, Mariners" Church as well as the now demolished Saint Paul"s Church, Biddle House, and the Moffat Block. In 1852, he expanded his business into the lumber trade by purchasing a sawmill and forested land.
His lumber business was even more profitable than his carpentry had been.
In 1871, he was elected mayor of Detroit as a Republican. Moffat served two terms as mayor, with his administration notable for his vetoes of spending initiative passed by the Detroit City Council and vetoes of multiple authorizations to allow saloons to open on Sunday afternoons in Detroit.
By the time he stepped down as mayor, Moffat had earned the appellation "Honest Hugh Moffat."
Hugh Moffat was married three times. The first marriage, in 1836, was to Margery McLachlan.
Hugh Moffat himself died on August 6, 1884.
He was survived by four children: Mistress George MacMillan, Mistress Edward West. Bissell, Alice East. Moffat, and William Moffat.
A second son, Addison Moffat, died in 1884 shortly before his father.
Membership
Moffat was an active member of the Fire Department, the Mechanic"s Society, and president of Saint Andrew"s Society.
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Born
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Died
August 6, 1884 (aged 74) -
Nationality
United States -
Political Party
Republican party