Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1874-12-10
Obituary.


JOuHfH BANCROFT.
The brief announcement Of the death OF 10.
seph Bancroft, printed in . late edition OF last
N ,nday's COMMERCIAL. Was read by many Of his
friends with feelings Of surprise rs we'll Ar pain,
for Notwithstanding the critical condition in
which he had been lying for several weeks. aud
the steady progress OF his malady, lie had. for
day or two previously seemed to be somewhst
more comfortable. After being very low, during
several days of last week, he WA regarded a.
rather better, the day before his death,
Friend Bancroft was one of our most excel.
lent citizens. Neither ambitious Of Nisan
nor so engaged rs to attract public attentio, he
spenJ much OF his life in dong good, giving lis
time, his means, his influence, and lis psrsus.
sion all literally aud practically to that end,
Born at Manchester, England, in 1903, OF parents
In membership with the Society OF Friends. he
was, throughout his long life OF more than
thrce-scorc and ten Year,, earnest member of
that Society, devoted to its principles
with warmth now seldom found In
it, appearing ~ preacher in the meetings
| for worship, for many years. and lately devoting
hineell with great eariiestness to the work OF
reconciling and uniting tile two divisions of the
Society Of Friends, known As ''Orthodox, " and
| Hicksite." At the time Of the % Separation, /"
in 1927, he remained with the latter, and hin
membership. in Wilmington, was with the meet
| ing at 4th And West streets. IN the pursuit of
his Jealous effort to heal the long existing
breach, he has travelled extensively. visiting
many localities, and personally urging Friends 10
willingness for reunion. Within a wear. he
published volume, entitled 90 A Persuasive to
Unity, bearing on this subject, aud he had
previously written nnmber OF tracts and short
or presentations OF his views.
Besides his uuobtrusive excellence Az \ citiyen
his earnest and practical philanthropy, and his
Jealous efforts in behalf Of Quaker Unity, Friend
Bancroft has tho record OF most industrious
and persevering manufacturer, achieving solid
and ample degree Of SUCCESS, and leaving behind
him large estate, and very extensive bust
ness. He came of family and from a commu-
nifty famous FOR spinning and weaving and for
Just nifty years had been a manufacturer on
the Drandywine. Hts PARENTS John and Eliza.
beth Bancroft, were OF Lancashire family, and
English statesman John Bright and Of the present
Jacob Bright. was his uncle. To him, Joseph
was apprenticed at the age Of fourteen. having
previously received his education at Ackworth, a
Friends, school AT the age. of twenty-one, his
apprenticeship completed, he came at once,
QS2i,) to this country, whittier his father aud
other members OF the family had preceded him.
and joined them in the enterprise OF manufac
turing flannel in mill ut the Northwest cor
ner OF the bridge over the Brandywne, on Mar
by fire only few years ago. Remain
ing with them for year or two. he
then superintendent the large cotton factory
! OF William Young, located on the Brandywine
| Wu'Ie JtssIlp UpckI3nu DluDf mllip
now stand. IN 1881, he purchased The property
where he has since carried on business. known
as Rockford about a mile up the Branlywne
above the city limits. This was the place of Al,
Old ford across the stream, and hence the name
The property lad been owned by a corporation
calico the "Rockford Manufacturing Company
Whlsh held large area of land BESIDES liclul-
ing tho site OF the now extensive mills of the
Messrs. Riddle but It's operations proved unsuc.
eessfu ana the sale was made to Friend b m
Ia TAI > T.taf ,1.gIa
two houses, stable, and about seyent y-hve
acres Of the land.
From this purchase has been dey eloped u very
handsome and valuable property. Large and
convenient factories have been erected and the
Manufacture Of finely finished cotton goods il
carried on in all its branches, including spinning
weaving bleaching and finishing. The excel
lence OF the work. especially in the bleachery
has brought thousands of pieces of goods from
the best mills OF New England to pass through
that department, at Bancroits', and this perfec.
ton OF results is largely due to the solid unali-
ties OF Joseph's character. which led him to ap-
precate and seek the best work. Passing through
tho Panic- OF 1887 and 1851 without misfortune
though not without severe struggles, in the
FORMER, and in 1889, when hood did great
damage to his property, he adhered strictly TO q
liberal policy OF dealing with his employees, pay
ing them in cash instead of ''store orders, chi.
| tivainS friendly relations with them, and estab.
| fishing, III later years. u free readpp-room and
library for their benefit. Under this policy,
striker have been unknown in the HISTORY Of his
business career, and his ns have seldom ceased
| work.
In establishing his business. and afterwartl,
FRIEND Bancrolt had been literally aided by
Thomas Janvier, of New Castle Hundred, and he
repeatai himself, this excellent example, often,
by aiding Young men to begin busnees and as
sistlhg them through difficulties, rendering this
help IN quiet and unassuming, but practical
manner. In this, as in all the other mapifes-
tations Of his character lie showed itp SIMPLICITY
earnestness, and true philanthropy.
His illness, which proceeded from disease
OF the kidneys, has been severe for several
months. Ito spent part OF the Summer among
the mountains in North Eastern pennsylvanis,
but obtained no permanent relief, and since re-
turning home, has gradually grown worse, nm.
til the end cano, tlnaisy to which hone are
more resigned, and for it we think, few better
.1rpnHrsl