Henry Danforth

Taken from Danforth's obituary in the Washington Post, June 24, 1910.  

Henry R. Danforth was born in Washington, Nov. 3, 1842.  On Nov. 2, 1865, he was united in marriage with Mary E. Wenger at Gilman, Ill.  Miss Wenger was a daughter of Dr. Wenger, one of the early settlers of Washington.

Mr. Danforth was one of the largest land owners in this vicinity.  His holdings were largely near Danforth in Iroquois county.  When a young man Mr. Danforth was associated with his uncle and father in the management and purchase of the then known swamp lands of that vicinity.  Mr. Danforth early foresaw the possibilities of draining the land and making them the richest farms in the state.  He planned and carried out a most extensive and complete system of tile draining.  He organized and systematized his farming interests.  He was always reasonable and just with his tenants.  In fact he made farming a success.  He was interested to some extent in banking and business interests at Danforth and vicinity, but his chief interest was in his farms and agriculture.  Mr. Danforth probably owned some 5,000 or 6,000 acres of land at the time of his death, worth in the neighborhood of $200 an acre.  Mr. Danforth also looked after the land interests of his father's estate for three or four years after his death.

Mr. Danforth had made a success of life.  As a young man he was active and far sighted.  He accumulated a fortune in lands and retired to this city to make his home.  He superintended the management of his lands with splendid success until today his immense holdings in Iroquois county are among the most valuable lands in the state.  Mr. Danforth was a public spirited citizen and had always taken an active interest in promoting the welfare of Washington, the city of his home and his birth.  He had held positions of trust and honor and was universally respected and admired by all who knew him.

The Picturesque Washington book contains the following short account of Mr. Danforth's life:

Henry R. Danforth, banker and expert farmer, was a native of our city, being born in 1842, receiving his education at the public schools with a course at Lombard College, Galesburg, Ill.  Always shrewd and successful, on having his attention called to the swamp lands of Iroquois county it did not take him long to recognize the immense possibilities there and in 1865 immediately acquired all of these lands he possibly could get control of, and through practical and scientific drainage reclaimed and put a value on them undreamed of by most men.  Wealth acquired through such activity and daring is certainly earned and worthy people's applause.  Mr. Danforth built the Danforth Hotel and to show their appreciation the people unanimously elected him mayor, the highest honor our city can bestow.  Together with his 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.