Clark County OhArchives Obituaries.....Bancroft, Louis June 5, 1884 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Karen Johnson-Heber gapeachprtnerz@bellsouth.net February 22, 2011, 2:12 pm Weekly Republic, Springfield OH Full of years and honors he peacefully passes away. Mention was made in these columns several days ago of the critical illness of Mr. Louis BANCROFT , the oldest resident and it is believed the oldest man in Clark county. This illness, which began on Friday of last week and was little more than a giving away and breaking up of the system consequent upon old age, resulted fatally at 3:25 o'clock this morning. Mr. BANCROFT passing away peacefully during a natural sleep into which he had fallen several hours before, he retaining perfect consciousness up to that time. The funeral services will be held at the house, No. 60 west Washington Street, Monday afternoon at two o'clock and will doubtless be the occasion of a general gathering of pioneer people of the city and county who, with others are invited to attend. Although an unpretentious citizen leading in the main a very quiet life, Louis BANCROFT was in fact one of the most remarkable and foremost figures of our community, closely identified with its earliest times and experiences, even before Springfield became an incorporated town, or this section was erected into what now known at Clark County, from portions of Greene and Champaign Counties through lineal connections, with the Revolutionary period of the country and nation, it is related of him that he had lived under the administration of every president who has served as Chief Executive of these United States. A staunch, uncompromising, earnest Old Line Whig, in the palmy days of that highly respectable political organization and later an equally devoted member of the "grand old" Republican Party. It was one of his chief regret, when death he knew would be near that he would not have an opportunity of again attesting to his life-long fealty to the principles of Republicanism by supporting the candidates of the party at the polls in the the coming state and national elections. He was born at Montpelier, the capital of Vermont, October 11, 1792, and would, therefore, have been 92 years old the ensuing October 11. HIS father, John BANCROFT, was one of three brothers who came this country from England long years before the War of Revolution.[lT:Editor's Note: This is incorrect. The three brothers came over to America in Generation #11 (1632), sons of John and Jane Bronython BANCROFT:IT] in which he served the full term of seven years. From these brothers are descended the race of Bancrofts of the country, George BANCROFT, the learned historian and Minister to Prussia, being a cousin of the deceased, between whom and the distinguished author and diplomatist a correspondence of many years standing was maintained. John BANCROFT removed with his family to Chautauqua, NY where the subject of this sketch taught school at one period of his early career and from which locality he started in 1816 with another young man named MCCURDY for this place, his future home, making the entire journey via Cleveland on horseback, the veteran of the Revolution followed his son a few years later, coming from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati by flat-boat. Louis meeting him there and escorting him to his home here by the slow methods of travel then in vogue. The father's life ended in 1837 and he was buried with all the honors of war, his remains now lying in the old grave years on Columbia Street, between center and Factory. Mr. BANCROFT remembered well the death of General Washington and the observances at prominent points consequent thereon. April 18, 1819 he was married to Mary CHRISTIE, sister of James P. and the late Jesse CHRISTIE, for many years among our pioneer people. After the ceremony which occurred at the bride's home north of the city, the happy groom took his wife on a pillion and, fording the creek, brought her to their new home in the city. Their children were Leonidas, deceased, Praotes E., LaFayette, Oscar F., Amanda M. and Flavilla G. P.E., LaFayette, and O.F. are now well-known citizens of Springfield, of the two daughters, Amanda M., now Mrs. Ben P. CHURCHILL, lives in Cincinnati, and Flavilla (Mrs. KLEIMAN) lives here. Mrs. Louis BANCROFT died at the family residence, beloved and regretted by a wide circle of relatives and friends, March 14, 1883. Mr. BANCROFT carried on a general mercantile business, occupying a store at one time on Main street, where the Gas Co. office now is. He built the structure now standing at the northeast corner of Main and spring Streets and occupied a part for business purposes at the time the National Road was being completed through the city. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and had served the country under the old regime as Deputy Sheriff in which position he acquired a good reputation an efficient, faithful, fearless officer. There are many points regarding his long and eventful life that might profitably be giyen the reader in this connection, it is necessary in the haste of preparing this sketch no opportunity is allowed for gathering and verifying them. Mr. BANCROFT was a member of the Pioneer Association and quite regular as well as a welcome attendant upon its meetings. He was present at the meeting at New Carlisle two or three weeks ago and made some brief but timely remarks. He loved to talk with friends of the early times and could do so entertainingly and understandingly. He was always a neighborly, kind-hearted person, ready to do a favor to anyone honestly applying. His presence while taking his daily walks on the streets will be much missed and his memory will ever be revered. He was a member of the universalist Church, whose house of worship is but a few steps from his late residence. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/clark/obits/b/bancroft1073gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ohfiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb