Erie S. Danforth Biography


	This biography appears on page 12 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ERIE S. DANFORTH.  


	As owner and editor of the Republican, an excellent newspaper 
published at Vermillion, Erie S. Danforth is a man of influence in his 
part of the state. He was born in Wisconsin on the 6th of January, 
1873, a son of William and Annis (Ormsbee) Danforth, natives of Vermont 
and New York respectively. The father, who was a farmer, passed away in 
December, 1880, in Wisconsin. To him and his wife were born three 
children, of whom our subject is the youngest, the others being: 
Halbert, who died when five years old; and Nettie, who passed away in 
1912.  

	Erie S. Danforth was reared in his native state and was graduated 
from the high school at Waldo in 1888. In June of that year he removed 
to Vermillion, South Dakota, coming with an aunt and her husband, E. H. 
Willey. Mr. Danforth lost his father when about seven years of age and 
was largely reared by his aunt. Mr. Willey purchased the Republican at 
Vermillion and our subject learned the printer's trade in the office of 
that paper. In 1895 he purchased a half interest in the publication and 
has since retained his connection therewith. The Republican was started 
in 1860 by Bedell & Clark and has always gone under that name. The 
circulation of the paper is large and its subscribers are the 
representative people of Vermillion and its vicinity, as they are 
assured of reliable news, clearly written, and as the editorial policy 
of the paper is one to win commendation. The extensive circulation of 
the paper makes it valuable as an advertising medium and the local 
merchants patronize it as such.  

	Mr. Danforth is a republican and for four years, or two terms, 
has been a member of the city council. He served as police judge for 
more than a year and then resigned that position in order to take up a 
homestead. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the 
Masonic order and he has attained high rank in that organization, 
belonging to all of the bodies thereof with the exception of the 
consistory. He has held all of the chairs in the blue lodge and 
chapter. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was 
secretary for one term, and his fraternal connections also extend to 
the Knights of Pythias, in which he has held all of the chairs, the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.