MEEKER | There were four Indian agents appointed to the area prior to Nathan Meeker’s arrival on the scene in 1878. Two of those agents, Joseph Littlefield and Edward Danforth, were missionaries sent from The American Unitarian Church based in Boston. Their goal was to convert the Utes to Christianity and show them that not all whites were here to take advantage of them, lie, or steal their allotments. I am not sure how well that went, but these two had good intentions. This article is my attempt to answer the question, “What happened to Agent Danforth?”
In all the studies, reports and history surrounding Nathan Meeker, Danforth got lost in the background. The brief mention he gets in history does not do him credit for the four years of peace during his time as Agent to the Utes. As a matter of fact, we did not get his name right or mention his wife’s name at all. In one reference, he is listed as Major H. E. Danforth. His full name was Edward Huntington Danforth and his wife was Ellen Cooper Danforth. I am not sure how his initials got reversed or where the “Major” came from. I can find no evidence of any military service. He was too young to have advanced to the rank of major even in the Salvation Army. Edward was born in Connecticut in September of 1845. I could not find an obituary or biography of Edward, so what you see here is what I’ve pieced together of his life.
In the 1850 Census, Edward was five years old, living with William H. Danforth (I am not sure this is his father, no wife in his household) and an older brother, George, all living in Hartford, Connecticut. In the 1860 Census, Edward, age 15, was living with William Lane (a Christian clergyman) and his wife Emeline Danforth Lane along with a Louisa H. Danforth, age 45 (possible mother of Edward), in Newtown Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. I am going to guess that Edward’s career in the clergy was inspired by Mr. William Lane. The next document to mention Edward is found in Year Books of the American Unitarian Association. Edward H. Danforth of Hartford, Connecticut, is listed in the 1868 graduating class of the Boston School for the Ministry. In 1868, Edward is listed as minister to a newly organized congregation in Sheffield, Illinois. In all this cross-country travel, Edward found time in August 1869 to marry Ellen Cooper of Sullivan County, New Hampshire. In 1870, Edward H. Danforth is listed as minister of the Unity Church of St. Joseph, Missouri, which is a little confusing. The 1870 Census places the newlywed couple in Croydon, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. They were living with Ellen’s parents: Samuel P. and Laura Cooper. On Dec. 20, 1874, Mrs. Ellen C. Danforth was appointed postmaster of White River (agency), Summit County, Colorado. The Danforths took over from fellow missionary Joseph Littlefield.
It is unclear when Edward arrived in Northwest Colorado, but I am guessing this was a big lifestyle change from Boston or even St. Louis. Give the Danforths credit for sticking it out four years or more. Whatever the reason, I don’t believe he ever went back to being a minister. Church records didn’t record him having a congregation after leaving Colorado. In the 1880 Census, Edward and his wife pop up in New York City. Edward was working as a bookkeeper. By 1900, Edward was retired and they were in Crawford Township, Union County, New Jersey. On Oct. 6, 1916, Edward died in Union County, New Jersey. Ellen returned to Sullivan County, New Hampshire where she died May 7, 1931, at the age of 90. The Danforths had no children, but led long and interesting lives. Locally, they did leave a legacy. Danforth Hills, north of Meeker, and Danforth Park upriver bear their name.
Sources: This Is What I Remember Vol III. Rio Blanco Historical Society; US Postmasters register; The Year Books of The American Unitarian Association. Dan at the Museum of Northwest Colorado.
