HENRY R. DANFORTH
Henry Rupert Danforth, banker and farmer, Washington, Ill., was born in Washington, Nov. 3, 1842, the son of Asa and Catherine A. (Rupert) Danforth, natives of Massachusetts and Virginia, respectively. The great-grandfather, Elijah Danforth, was born in Taunton, Mass., and married Susannah Copeland, a direct descendant (a great-granddaughter) of the Mayflower passengers, John and Priscilla Alden. To them was born one son, Asa Danforth, who married Hannah Walker, in Norton, Mass. They had one son, Asa Hamilton Danforth, born in Norton, Mass., on June 4, 1813. He married Catherine, a daughter of Henry and Nooma (Hinkle) Rupert, natives of Virginia, and they became the parents of Henry Rupert Danforth, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Danforth was educated in the public schools of Washington, with a course at Lombard College in Illinois. On November 2, 1865, he was united to Mary E., daughter to Elias and Elizabeth (Smith) Wenger, of Gilman, Ill., and of this union three children have been born: Josephine D., now Mrs. C. V. Miles of Peoria, Ill.; Herman Wenger, who is a lawyer in Peoria, and Elizabeth Sarah. Mrs. Danforth attended the public schools of Washington, and Rockford Seminary.
In 1865, the family moved to Iroquois County, where Mr. Danforth became interested in draining and otherwise improving swamp land. Together with an uncle, George W. Danforth, he built the town of Danforth, Ill. He also owned and conducted a banking business there. In 1884, the family returned to Washington, where Mr. Danforth retired from active labor. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, and he has served for one term as Mayor of Washington. He belongs to the Knights Templar, is a Mystic Shriner and a Master Mason.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 993