Asa Danforth

Information for Asa Danforth comes from two sources, an obituary and an editorial, both presented here and written soon after his death in 1890. 

 Mr. Danforth was born in Norton, Mass., June 4, 1813, and consequently was past 77 years of age.  He worked on a farm until 17 years old and then went to Fall River, where he served an apprenticeship at cabinet making.  For four years he was engaged in the manufacture of furniture in Milford, Pa.  In 1835 he removed to Concoction, Ohio, and manufactured wheat mills for a year.  He then moved to Peoria and in June, 1836, went to Washington, which has since been his home.

When he settled there machinery for furniture making was scarce.  He started a lathe, using two dogs on a cylindrical tread mill for the power.  A large amount of bedsteads were thus turned out and found their way to the cabins of the early settlers.  In 1844 he built the mill, since occupied by Andrews Bros.  He gradually increased his possessions and was one of the first directors of the Peoria & Oquawka, now the T. P. & W. railway.  At an early day he engaged in the banking business, but retired in 1872, his son, A. G., assuming control.

The deceased owned several hundred acres of land in this and other states.  He owned several brick buildings in Washington, besides the largest residence in the city.  In 1839 he married Catharine Rupert, a native of Mt. Pleasant, Va.  

By the death of this remarkable man and esteemed citizen, a prominent landmark in the annals of Washington has passed away.  In addition to the notices that have appeared of him, the writer, who was intimately acquainted with him for nearly a quarter of a century, begs leave to offer a few remarks, illustrative of the worth of one whom it was necessary to know thoroughly in order to understand.

He was a man who was singularly free from superstition, and would believe nothing without reason.  It has been said he was not a Christian.  No, if to quarrel over creeds, believe the impossible, and open the bank with prayer, are the distinguishing features of Christianity, he was not a Christian; but, if to be a good husband, father, friend, a law-abiding man, a good citizen and a public-spirited member of the community, are its distinguishing features, he was a Christian.  If indiscriminate charity, regular attendance at church, and frequent prayers are insignia of Christianity, he was not a Christian; but to give wisely, and to help deserving people help themselves and others by becoming producers instead of wasters.  If to see the parson well housed and cared for, the church a pleasant and inviting place, and the school-house commodious and comfortable and well equipped for the education of future citizens, are its insignia, he was a Christian in the broadest sense, and a study reliable one.

It was a matter of indifference to him whether the whale swallowed Jonah, or Jonah swallowed the whale, or which, if either, swallowed the other.

He confessed frankly that he knew nothing of the other world and said he had no means of knowing that were worthy of credence.  He, however, took a lively interest in this world; spent his life in active pursuits, working early and late, minding his own business and interfering with no one.  He was too industrious to find time to meddle, and too honorable to quarrel or nurse resentment.  He threw his whole soul into whatever he did, and what he did all tended to the happiness and convenience of his fellowman.  To this end he erected mills, planted orchards, and drained swamps; he built hotels, encouraged railroads, commerce, and manufactures; he practiced economy, industry, and self-restraint.  He was quiet, modest and unassuming in all these matters, and no one ever heard him boast, or in any way magnify himself.  He was a man of marked character, sound judgment and clear ideas.  He possessed strong will-power, but exercised it in a modest yet tenacious way that swept obstacles from his pathway, and so accustomed was he to rely upon himself that he sometimes overlooked the conveniences of others, to a degree that seemed selfish, without in the least intending it.

He followed his own bent and heeded little what others said or thought, though he respected their opinions whether he endorsed them or not, so long as they did not clash with what he thought was right—willing that they should do as they thought best without objection on his part.  In the meantime he unobtrusively pursued his own course and left results to care for themselves —to justify or condemn as the case might be.

When not engrossed in business, he was social and genial with those he liked, though in a very undemonstrative manner.  He simply shunned those he did not like, never annoying or disturbing them in the remotest way.

He pursued his own course, and expected others to do the same.  How to make up his mind, he tried, as a rule, to look at all sides of a question before reaching a conclusion; but a conclusion once reached, he did not lightly change.  His forecasts of men and measures were more than ordinarily shrewd, and the results usually showed that his judgment was correct.

He hated shame and false pretenses, and had no patience with affection.  Above all he hated a liar.  He disliked being in the presence of a man whose words he knew were not sincere; and, with a deceiver, or falsifier, he would have no dealings he could possibly avoid.

In the family circle he was quiet, mild, and affectionate, a faithful husband, indulgent father, and generous host.  At his work he was active, industrious and persevering, and at times, if anything obstructed his way, impatient and abrupt.  He kept things moving; carefully planned and laid out his work ahead, and this to such a degree of nicety, that the various parts fitted exactly and all moved like clockwork.

He was not a great reader, but a profound thinker; he loved music and, in his earlier years, was a fair performer.  He cared but little for art, except that he loved paintings and engravings of animals, while those of landscapes and flowers had no charms for him.  Fond of money, he earned what he made by hard work, watchfulness, good management and strict economy.  In his later years, after he had accumulated a fortune, he relaxed his economy and loved to see his family and friends enjoy themselves; and, in done in a rational and sensible way, he did not care for the expense.

Many persons were, often unknowingly, helped by his thoughtful and secret assistance.  He liked to see an honest industrious youth make his way in the world, and he usually found some way to advance the interest of such a one.

His friends were very dear to him, and as he grew to like a man, he could not do too much for him, and took a keen delight in making him happy.  He had his faults like other men; but the world was better that he lived in it.  If more were like him, there would be less need for police, prisons and armies; and family life and social intercourse would be as they were perhaps intended to be, a taste of heaven on earth.

He died as he lived true to his convictions, and with no sickly sentimentality about him; and often remarked, towards the last, that if he had his life to live over again, he should change it but little.  He meant by this, not that he could not improve, but simply that he had tried to do his duty.