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History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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David E. Bancroft.

In the death of David E. Bancroft Adair county lost a worthy and highly respected citizen.  He was born in New York, near Saratoga Springs, on the 24th day of April, 1830, and was a son of Gamalial and Matilda Bancroft, the former born May 7, 1786, and the latter on the 22d of December, 1794.  The father was a shoemaker by trade and always resided in New York, where he passed away February 6, 1847.  His widow survived him for a number of years and died in March, 1875.

David E. Bancroft was reared and educated in New York and there learned the trades of a carpenter and cooper.  He afterward worked as a cooper, becoming proprietor of a shop in the east.  After conducting the business for two years he put aside all business and personal considerations and responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company B, One Hundred and Tenth New York Infantry, with which he served for three years and one month, making a most creditable record during his connection with the army.  About 1867 Mr. Bancroft came to Adair county and purchased land in Jackson township, after which he engaged in general farming for six years.  On the expiration of that period he disposed of his farm and took up his abode in Adair, at which time there was but one store in the town.  The remainder of his life was largely devoted to carpentering but he also conducted an undertaking business in Adair for several years.  His life's labors were ended by death on the 18th of July, 1888.

It was on the 14th of July, 1854, that Mr. Bancroft was united in marriage to Miss Amy K. Claflin, a daughter of Winslow and Amy (Purdy) Claflin, who were natives of New York and Vermont respectively.  The father was a lumberman and followed that business in the Empire state throughout his entire life.  He was born October 25, 1801, and had therefore attained the age of almost sixty-eight years when he passed away August 20, 1869.  His wife, who was born January 9, 1801, died on the 16th of March, 1871.  To Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft were born eight children:  Eva A., the wife of Joseph Flora, a resident of Michigan;  Cora, the widow of G. W. Cox and a resident of Adair;  Clara B., the wife of John Hopkins, living in this county;  Edward E., who resides in Texas;  Martha A., who died April 29, 1888;  Archie B., who passed away September 13, 1874;  Willie, who died July 4, 1876;  and Mary V., who became the wife of Franklin Kilpatrick and died on the 27th of January, 1912.

Mr. Bancroft was a member of the Grand Army post and thus maintained pleasant relations with the boys in blue.  Politically he was a republican and held closely to the principles of the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and has ever been the party of reform and progress.  His religious faith was that of the Methodist church and to its teachings he was ever loyal.  In all the relations of life he manifested sterling qualities and enjoyed in the fullest measure the confidence and goodwill of all who knew him.  Since the death of her husband Mrs. Bancroft has continued to reside in Adair and she owns a nice residence two blocks from Main street.

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