Legislator Details

Image of William Lyman Bancroft
Image Description:
Portrait of William Lyman Bancroft scanned from Rep.Dist 7 page following p.2.

William Lyman Bancroft
AKA:
Number of sessions served 2
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 33

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 8/12/1825
City: Martinsburg, NY
County: Lewis County, NY
Country: US
 
Death
Date:
City:
County:
Country:
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date:
City:
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Country:
Cemetery:

Marital Information:
married Anna M. Barker, daughter of Messer Barker & Eliza Bodley of Plymouth, OH, on 10/12/1853; children: Edward Harold, Richard Bayard & Carroll Douglas.

Number of Children: 3

Background

Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: printer, editor, banker, railroad dev., lawyer
Race:

Education:
Amherst Academy, High School of Mr. D. B. Crane in Detroit

Biographical Sketch:
9th child of Edward Bancroft and Amanda Lewis. Came to Michigan in 1832 but attended Amherst Academy in Massachusetts, graduating in 1839. Became a printer's apprentice in Milwaukee before returning to Michigan in 1844. Purchased the Port Huron "Observer" and edited it until 1849; then went to NY studied law & was admitted to the NY bar in 1851. Practiced in Port Huron, MI until a fire destroyed his office, library and all his papers in 1854. He then went into banking & railroad development. He was also a lumberman at one time. He held several offices in city and state government. He was a Democrat of the conservative school. Member of the Masons.

Notable Facts:
Elected first Mayor of Port Huron and organized the city government. Had a large private library. Secretary of State Senate, 1849. Mich. Democratic Rep. from St. Clair Co., 1859-60. Saw completion of Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad in 1876

Sessions Served:

Twenty-Third Legislature, 1865-1866
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Federal Relations , Incorporations, Printing
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Port Huron
County of Residence Saint Clair
District: 25
District Description: Saint Clair County

Date Elected: 11/8/1864
Date Sworn In: 1/4/1865
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Twentieth Legislature, 1859-1860
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Ways and Means
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Port Huron
County of Residence Saint Clair
District: Saint Clair 1
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/2/1858
Date Sworn In: 1/5/1859
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:

Bibliography:

Cyc 1:96-98, portrait facing p.96; Manual 1865 p.162; Manual 1859 p.40; Rep.Dist. 7:2-3, portrait facing p.2; MIBiog 1:49
View Bibliographical Sources