THE MINNESOTA 
HORTICULTURIST. 
VOL. 26. FEBRUARY, 1808. No. 2. 
In Memoriam, 
WILLIAM DANFORTH, SR., 
RED WING, MINN, 
DIED NOV. 24, 1897, AGED 74 YEARS. 
(See frontispiece.) 
William Danforth, Sr.,was born in: West Boscawen, N. H., (now 
Webster) May 2, 1823. There he remained during his youth, attend- 
ing school at the neighboring academies. At the age of twenty he 
commenced railroad work, and during the greater part of his life 
after this time followed the profession of civil engineer. 
In September, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 16th Regiment of Vermont 
Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged with that regiment in Au- 
gust, 1863, serving but eleven months, first as lieutenant, then as 
captain, and having the experience of Gettysburg as a memory. 
He came to Minnesota in July, 1869, being employed by the M. &St 
P. Ry. Co. on surveys and construction between St. Paul and La 
Crosse, and continuing in their employ with the exception of a few 
months on the N. P. Ry. till 1873. From 1880 to 1883 heagain worked 
for the C. M. & St. P. Co. 
He served Goodhue county for some years as surveyor, and was 
also city engineer of Red Wing about eleven years. From 1888 un- 
til the time of his death he was Chief Engineer of the D. R. W. &S. 
1 sy og 
In 1873 he purchased a place of about sixty acres near Red Wing. 
_ Although his duties as engineer took him away from home much of 
the time during these years, yet he always took a great interest in 
improving his land, and the cultivation of small fruits was his 
especial pleasure. He wasa very enthusiastic member of the State 
