Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-07-12
VIM. P. BANCROFT
VIGURUUS Al %
Notable as a Benefactor Of the
City and Its Institutions, Es-
pecially Park System.

Today. Monday. July IL, 1920, is the
e5th birthday anniversary OF one o,
WilminRton's oldest and most honored
citizens who enters another year OF
activity and usefulness.
This vigor enabled him to embark a
year ago, with his wife, for visit to their
two daughters and other relatives IN
England; o voyage from which he returned
some four months later, even stronger
than when be started.
William Poole Bancroft was born at
Rockford. now part OF wilmington,
July ID, 1885. His father was Joseph
Bancroft. the second of thirteen children,
who came TO Wilmington IN 1923 when
II years old on the completion OF an
apprenticeship TO his uncle, Jacob Bright
father of the English statesman, John
Bright. He shortly afterward engaged
in the manufacture of cotton goods.
In 1899 he married Sarah Poole of Will
mington, to which marriage were born
William Poole and Samuel Bancroft.
The family had been early adherents to
Tho Society of Friends in England, and
this connection has been ever since maln-
tanned
In 1865 the two sons were made partners
I'm the paternal business with which they
had been associated after leaving their
studies, the firm becoming Joseph Ban
croft and Sons: afterward, Joseph Ban
croft & Sons Co, the present style. In
this latter enterprise William F. Bancroft
wNs from its organization director and
for many years vice-president
Inspired hv his fathers record OF having
built up "a comfortable village for the
industrious and contented employees of
the large and prosperous factory" William
4 na-,rnft from tho NrSf glnccrelN
and intelligently Interested IN the growth
and welfare of Wilmington, to which
object his life has been chiefly devoted IN
lis later wears He was largely lnstru-
mental In the transformation OF the
Wilmington Institute, n proprietary con-
Germ. into the Free Library, about thirty
wears ago. and his wise advice and
active aid then and since have been
essential factors in its present and ex-
pcctant prosperity.
IpBAL HOUSING PROJECT.
About twenty years ago he began the
formation of the Woodlawn Company,
an enterprise he once alluded to as "a
means of administering his own estate.
Into the custody of the foundation he
turned various parcels of real estate which
he had ACQUIRED, the shares being wholly
allotted 10 various philanthropic and pub
lie institutions in which he is interested,
among them the Delaware Hospital, the
public library and the Ferris Industrial
School.
ON many of these properties, notably
near Fourth and Union streets, the COM
pany bulls dwellings for rental, IN which
II is estimated that more than 400 families
have been housed during the past IL
wears. The completion of his plan con-
templates a boulevarded tract extending
from Fourth street TO Delaware avenue,
portions of which. in the vicinity of Eighth
street, are already developed.
PIONEER PARK COMMISSIONER.
He was instrumental in the organiza-
tion Of the park commission, generation
ago. and has been member since its
establishment and for many years its
president. an office which he still holds.
Through his connection with the Wood
lawn Company, and the Park Board, he
was able to anticipate the needs of the
CITY in the enlargement of Its,park area
and secure and hold many parcels after
ward turned over on highly advantageous
terms TO the city when it was ready to
take them. In addition he made many
gifts of land for the same purpose, fully
onc-half Of the present park spaces,
amounting TO nearly one square mile,
being estimated as due to his generosity.
Prior TO his European trip last year,
the Woodlawn Company was incorporat-
ed under the name Of Woodlawn
Trustces' and its shares converted into
bonds, the income from which the bene-
fciary institutions have since been re-
cciving. BY its charter, it is to be a
perpetual foundation devoted to the
promotion Of parks, Fairgrounds, and to
educational, charitable and recreational
organizations Of Wilmington and its
vicinity" The nominal capitalization
was then stated at S20l 400, and eleven
bcnefciaries were named. Among other
holdings there are 800 acres IN Brandy
wine hundred, adjoinin Alapocas Park.
The name of the company Is taken from
"Woodlawn," the Clarkson Taylor farm,
which WAS one OF the early parcels ac-
CURED.
PROMINENT BANKER.
He has been connected with the direc-
torate of the Security Trust and Safe
Deposit Co. almost from its beginning IN
1885, and was for some time a vice-presi-
dent.
He was active in the movement for
new charter for this city, a few years ago,
which failed TO pass the Legislature.
Air. and Mrs Bancroft are members of
the Wilmington Monthly Meeting of
Friends at Fourth and West streets.
Their two daughters, both livin in England
are Mrs Robert Clark, of Street Somerset
and Mrs. Henry Tt Gillett of Oxford
To this most unassuming man and well
deserving citizen Every Evening extends
~,Vcorn fol,ctf lions nr7 bic