John Iliff

Who was John Iliff?

John Iliff was the first millionaire in Denver, Colorado. He bought a herd of cattle in 1861, getting them cheaply as they were exhausted from the long drive from the south. He grazed them on the Plains, then sold them for beef at a huge profit.

How big was John Iliff's ranch?

Iliff's ranch was between Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne in Wyoming. By 1870 he had in excess of 26,000 cattle on more than 16,000 acres of land.

Who did John Iliff sell beef to?

Iliff sold beef to mining towns, reservations, the government, and to the people building the railroad.

Why was John Iliff so successful?

Iliff succeeded because he saw a gap in the regional market. Instead of cattle being brought to the north on trails, he changed the industry by raising them on the Plains.