Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== SOURCE: History of St. Clair County, Mich. A. T. Andreas & Co., Chicago - 1883 [Page 555-556] WILLIAM LYMAN BANCROFT, was born at Martinsburg, Lewis Co., N.Y., August 12, 1825. The family removed to Michigan when William was seven years of age, and he received his education at the high school of Mr. D. B. CRANE, well remembered by many of the old residents of Detroit, and at the then famous Amherst, Mass., Academy. His early ambition was for the study of law; but vicissitudes of business took his father to Milwaukee, where we find William in 1842 in the office of the Courier, a news- paper of that then thriving village. But Mr. Bancroft appears to have felt more at home in Michigan, for two years later he had established himself as editor and proprietor of the Observer, at Port Huron, where he remained until 1848. An opportunity then opening for him to enter upon the study of his chosen pro- fession, he pursued it with assiduity and success under Hon. W. F. ALLEN, then of Oswego, N.Y., and afterward Judge of the Court of Appeals of that State. Returning to Port Huron in 1851, Mr. Bancroft at once entered upon a lucrative practice, with every promise of gaining rapid distinction in his pro- fession. Years of toilsome study however told upon his eye- sight, and culminated in chronic inflammation soon after he entered upon his practice, recurring with every renewed attempt at business. In 1854, his office, library and all his papers were destroyed by fire, and in 1857, to avert total blindness, Mr. Bancroft abandoned the profession. Soon afterward Mr. Ban- croft established in Port Huron its first banking office, which was subsequently that of JOHN MILLER & Son, and is now merged in the First National Bank of that city; he was also engaged in the lumber business with very successful results. But it is the connection of Mr. Bancroft with the railroad enterprises of Michigan which entitles him to a prominent place in our cat- agory of her representative business men. We believe that few even of our ablest men would have faced the difficulties he en- countered in pushing forward a great public project, and that there are fewer still who would not have failed where he suc- ceeded. The story of the road may be briefly told, as a fine illustration of what one man can accomplish even under cir- cumstances the most adverse, and against influences the most powerful, in advancing a public enterprise and also as compris- ing some of the most interesting portions of the history of railroads in Michigan. What now forms the eastern division of the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad was part of a scheme of in- ternal improvement originated by the State and abandoned in the days of its early financial embarrassment. It was then under- taken by a company under a special charter, while a new organ- ization covering a part of the same line was formed, and failed, and passed under foreclosure. Meanwhile, the railroad interest of the State had grown to a vast power, including over two thou- sand miles of road. At that time the policy of the old roads was determined hostility to all new projects, while parties identified with some of the former dominated the political power of the State. The Port Huron & Lake Michigan Railroad was thus likely to pass under the control of interests inimical to Port Huron and Northern Michigan, when in 1865, Mr. Bancroft was induced to undertake negotiations in New York, which resulted in relieving the project of all entanglements, and placing it under control of parties along the line. The scheme of muni- cipal aid to railroad corporations was then new in Michigan, but it was popularly favored as a means of compelling large and avaricious land owners to contribute an equitable propor- tion toward needed improvements, and as the only available resource for securing the improvements themselves. Mr. Ban- croft canvassed several counties and found the people ready to undertake for themselves what they had so long waited in vain for others to do for them. Legislation was necessary, and was secured at the session of 1865; but hostile interests clogged it with conditions not only injurious but inimical to the project. However, good use was made of it, and Mr. Ban- croft then determined to make the enterprise a through line to Chicago. With that view he entered into informal affiliations with the Peninsular Company; at the next session of the Legis- lature, a municipal aid bill was passed, but vetoed by the Governor. Existing corporate interests united with politicians to sustain the veto. Notwithstanding, work was resumed in the spring upon the road which the veto was drafted to defeat, popular sentiment resulted at the next session, in a general law authorizing municipalities to aid railway enterprises. This gave a new impetus to the work, and Mr. Bancroft concluded contracts for rails and equipment covering the entire line from Port Huron to Chicago. Then came the decision of the Supreme Court declaring the aid law unconstitutional; this was followed by the failure of Eastern contractors of the company, and finally, its western adjunct sought new affiliations, and was soon enveloped in clouds of embarrassment. Still Mr. Bancroft literally single handed, pushed on his road and completed it to Flint City, a paying point. Subsequently the Port Huron & Lake Michigan, and the Peninsular were consolidated, and only about fifty miles remained to be built to make a through line. The panic of 1874, next occurred to delay Mr. Bancroft's hopes, and thwart his plans. In 1876, however, he built the road be- tween Flint and Lansing completing the through line. The gen- eral business depression of the country, has, of course, had its effects upon this road, but it will remain a lasting mon- ument to Mr. Bancroft's enterprise and perseverance. Mr. Bancroft has held many positions of honor and trust, having been Secretary of the State Senate, Postmaster of Port Huron, Member of the House and Senate, as well as candidate for Secretary of State and for Congress. He was elected the first Mayor of Port Huron, and organized its city government; he was also for eight years Collector of the Port, and initiated the movement which resulted in constituting a new collection district. In politics, Mr. Bancroft has always been a Democrat of the conservative school, and has stood high in his party's counsels. He has been a member of its State and National com- mittees, and three times a member of its National Conventions. He is a warm, unselfish friend, and a lively opponent. As a writer he wielded for years an influential pen in the politics of the State, while as a speaker he ranks among the best. His campaigns usually kept his opponents quite busy, and are re- membered by many of both parties. He has a delightful home at Port Huron, and one of the finest private libraries in the State; in comfortable circumstances and surrounded by a large circle of relatives and friends, Mr. Bancroft ought to enjoy some of the fruits of a life of remarkable industry, enterprise and integrity. ===========================================================================