Phraortes E. Bancroft

As printed in 1902

PHRAORTES E. BANCROFT.

This gentleman has passed the eightieth milestone on life’s journey. His entire life has been passed in Springfield and he is justly numbered among the honored pioneers and leading representatives who have been prominently identified with her business interests in connection with manufacturing affairs. His is an honorable record of a conscientious man, who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. He has rounded the psalmist's span of three-score years and ten, and although the snows of several winters have whitened his hair, he has the vigor of a much younger man and in spirit and interests seems Old yet in his prime.

age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness or inactivity. It need not suggest as a matter of course want of occupation or helplessness. There is an old age that is a benediction to all that comes in contact with it, that gives out of its rich stores of learning and experience and grows stronger intellectually and spiritually as the years pass. Such is the life of Mr. Bancroft, an encouragement to his associates and an example well worthy of emulation by the young.

Phraortes E. Bancroft was born in Springfield on the 28th of January, 1822, and is of English lineage. Three brothers of the name originally came from England to America in the year 1632, and founded the various branches of the family now residing in the United States. John Bancroft, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Massachusetts, born in Reading, and at the time of the Revolutionary war he joined the Colonial army and served for seven complete years, holding the rank of first lieutenant.- He was married September 17, 1777, to Ann Waters, and removing to the west spent his last days in Springfield, Ohio, where he died in 1834. His wife survived him until 1842 and departed this life in her eighty-ninth year. He could trace the ancestral line back through Moses, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas and Thomas Bancroft.

Louis Bancroft, the father of Phraortes E. Bancroft, was born near beautiful Lake Champlain, in the state of Vermont, in 1796, and during his early manhood was connected with educational work, teaching school during the winter months, while in. the summer seasons he worked upon the farm. He came to Springfield in 1812, after having taught for a year in Chautauqua,

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New York. He took a boat to Upper Sandusky and proceeded thence on horseback to Springfield, camping two nights on the way. He largely followed trails to this locality and he found here a hamlet containing a population of two or three hundred. He soon enlisted for service in the war of 1812, but was rejected on account of his health. burning his attention to general merchandising, he conducted a country store, following that business for many years with success. He also filled the position of deputy sheriff and later was appointed government inspector, there being many distilleries in this vicinity. He afterward engaged in the wholesale grocery and liquor business and was an extensive dealer and trade in real estate, his name appearing on many abstracts of the city. Thus his business interests were of a varied and important charac- ‚ter and he was recognized as one of the leading residents of Springfield. He wedded Mary Christie, who was born October 11, 1792, and was reared upon a farm. Her father, Robert Christie, was one of the pioneers of Clark county, having come to the Buckeye state from Massachusetts at an early day. He was a contractor and builder and many of the leading business houses, homes and churches of the early day stood as monuments to his skill and enterprise. Not only did he attain success in business affairs, but he was also widely and favorably known for his many sterling traits of character. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Bancroft resided together ‘as man and wife for sixty-five years, and then he laid her remains in Ferncliff cemetery, within a few rods of the home where they were married, the old farm being now used for cemetery purposes. She passed away at the age of eighty-four years, and Mr. Bancroft died in Springfield at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Their children were: Leonidas; Phraortes E.; LaFayette, who resides in Springfield; Oscar, who is living in California; Amanda M., the wife of Benjamin Churchill, both deceased; and Flavilla G., the wife of William Kleiman, of Cincinnati, Ohio. The subject of this review pursued his education in the private schools and in a little schoolhouse which stood on Market street. It is still one of the landmarks of the city and today may be seen on Fountain avenue. Later Mr. Bancroft attended the Springfield academy, which was then under the control of Milo G. Williams, a noted educator of his day. On putting aside his text books Mr. Bancroft assisted his father in the store, and so continued until his eighteenth year, when he was apprenticed to learn the matter’s trade under the direction of the firm of Coates & Lathrop. When he had completed his apprenticeship he was a journeyman for a time and in March, 1851, began business on his own account at No. 4 East Main street, as a matter and fucticn. He made all the hats which he handled by the hand process and ‘began business on a small scale. His store was located in a frame structure, which he rented for a number of years, after which he bought the site upon which his present fine business block now stands. In 1882 he erected here a splendid four-story brick structure in connection with the Lagonda National Bank building, which was erected at the same time, the two constituting a very fine business block. Mr. Bancroft succeeded in building up a very extensive business and for many years was considered not only the leading matter of Springfield, but also did an extensive trade in the line of fine furs, occupying the four floors of his building with goods of this character. Recently he has turned over the business to his son, who is now conducting the enterprise along the same lines by which it was established by the father. For many years Mr. Bancroft has been a director of the Lagonda National Bank, with which he thus became connected in the early period of its existence. Today in point of service he is senior member of the board of directors. In 1851 he aided in laying the corner stone of the Union Hall building and has been one of the directors of the company since that time, acting as manager.

In 1845 Mr. Bancroft was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Moody, of Springfield, who died in 1854, leaving no children. On the I2eth of July, 1859, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bancroft and Miss Louisa M. Mayhugh, of Warren county, Ohio. She was born in Butler county, this state, April 27, 1834, her parents being William and Mary (Foot) Mayhugh. Her maternal grandfather, John Foot, died in 1883. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft has been born but one son who survives, Robert C., who is his father’s successor in business and carries a large and varied stock of goods at the old location, and who is conceded to be one of the ablest business men of Springfield. He married Miss Esther Simpson, and they have two children—Dorothy Louise and Rohert Christie,

Mr. Bancroft gave his political support to the Whig party at an early day, and on the organization of the new Republican party he joined its ranks and has since followed its banners, voting for each of the presidential candidates. He is a prominent Mason and in his life exemplifies the noble spirit of the fraternity. His membership is in Clark Lodge, No. 101, F.& A. M.: Springfield Chapter, R. A. M.; and Palestine Commandery, K. T. For fifty-five years he has been a member of the Independent Order ot Odd Fellows, has filled nearly all of the offices of the lodge, and has been treasurer of the grand encampment. He has also been a trustee of their property for many years. A genial gentleman, he receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one of advanced years, and furthermore, he deserves all the esteem which is tendered him. Through eight decades he has been a witness of Springfield’s development and growth and has taken an active interest in its progress and advancement. His mind bears the historic impress. of the years and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.