Background
He was born in Tofte as a son of landowner Mads Trulsen Tofte (1750–1823) and Elisabeth Borch (1749–1826).
He was born in Tofte as a son of landowner Mads Trulsen Tofte (1750–1823) and Elisabeth Borch (1749–1826).
He was elected as the first mayor of Cristiania in 1837, and also served on the executive committee in 1838, 1841 and 1842. The latter moved to Helgøya in 1896.
Tofte was a board member of Enerhaugen Asylum and founded Piperviken Asylum, and also financed the children"s hospital Tofte"s Gift in Munkedamsveien.