Born: February 15, 1850, Preston County, West Virginia.
Died: November 27, 1933, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Buried: Oak Grove Cemetery, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Daniel was the son of Jesse Martin Purinton and Nancy Alden Lyon, and husband of Florence Abbie Lyon.
He was educated at West Virginia University, Morgantown (WVU) (BA 1873, MA 1876), and the University of Nashville, Tennessee (doctorate).
At WVU, he taught in the Preparatory Department (1873–78), logic (1878–80), mathematics (1880–84), metaphysics (1885–89), and vocal music (1873–89). Purinton supported the education of women, and in 1889 proposed that WVU admit women as degree candidates. His sister-in-law, Harriet Lyon, was the first woman to graduate from WVU.
Purinton became vice-president and acting president of WVU in 1881. In 1890, he left to become president of Denison College in Granville, Ohio.
He returned to WVU in 1901, and served as both president and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences until July 31, 1911. He was also president of the West Virginia Baptist General Assembly and the Ohio Baptist Education Society.