Born at Pornfret, Vermont, April 19th, 1843. Mr. Danforth was the son of Hoseley and Sarah (Wood) Danforth, both natives of the Green Mountain state. Mr. Danforth received his preliminary education in the common schools, and in 1866, came to the west, but prior to this time, he had manifested his loyalty to his country by service on the battlefields of the south. It was in August, 1864, that he enlisted as a member of company E. Fourth Vermont Infantry, serving with the Army of the Potomac. He was mustered out at Burlington, Vermont, in July 1865, and then returned to his home. The following year Mr. Danforth came to the west. He spent one winter in St. Louis, and in 1867, arrived in Iowa, stopping for a short time at Council Bluffs. For a short time he worked in Clinton County, after which he went to Boone County, and in 1868 became a resident of Lake City where he followed school teaching. In November, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Fox, a daughter of David Fox, a pioneer of Lake City. For about twenty-one years they traveled life's journey together, and in 1894, Mrs. Danforth was called to her final rest. On December 27th, 1899, Mr. Danforth wedded Mrs. Minnie E. Harris (lee Decker), of Antigo, Wisconsin. With J. J. Hutchison he then purchased the store of Peter Smith. He then retired from the general merchandise business. In 1894, on the organization of the First National Bank, he was elected vice president and director, and continued in that capacity until the death of S. T. Hutchison, in 1914, when he became president of that institution. Mr. Danforth has always been a democrat, and although in a republican community, has been honored with a number of public offices in which he has discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. He was assessor, township trustee, served on the city council, and also on the school board. In 1882, he was elected to represent the District of Greene, Carroll, and Calhoun in the Nineteenth session of the State legislature. Mr. Danforth was the first candidate in 1869, initiated into the Masonic lodge at Lake City, Iowa, and throughout the years he has developed in the teachings of Masonry.