Danforth was born in
Boston. He graduated from
Union College in 1840. Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Rochester, NY. On April 27, 1846, he married Frances J. Wright, of
Pittsford, NY. In
1875, he ran on the
Republican ticket for
New York State Attorney General but was defeated by Democrat
Charles S. Fairchild. In
1876, he ran for Judge of the
New York Court of Appeals but was defeated by Democrat
Robert Earl. In
1878, he ran again for the Court of Appeals and was elected. He was a judge of the Court of Appeals from 1879 to 1889 when he retired upon reaching the constitutional age limit of 70 years. Afterwards he resumed his law practice and died of
apoplexy in open court just after arguing a case. ==Sources==