William Bancroft
William Amos Bancroft was a Massachusetts businessman, soldier and politician who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and on the Common Council, Board of Aldermen, and as the Mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts. During the Spanish–American War, Bancroft was a brigadier general of United States Volunteers. From 1899 to 1916, he was the president of the Boston Elevated Railway.Early life
Bancroft was born on April 26, 1855, in Groton, Massachusetts, to Charles Bancroft and Lydia Emeline Bancroft. He attended Lawrence Academy in his hometown and Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. After graduating from Phillips Exeter, he attended Harvard College, where he enlisted in the fifth regiment of the state militia in his Freshman year. He eventually rose to the rank of brigadier general. He was a member of the Harvard crew in 1877, 1878, and 1879.Legal career
Bancroft attended Harvard Law School and studied law in the office of William Burnham Stevens. He was admitted to the Suffolk County bar in 1881. In 1885, he opened a law office with Edward Francis Johnson, later mayor of Woburn, Massachusetts.Railway career
In 1885, Bancroft became the superintendent of the Cambridge Railroad. When it merged with the Charles River Street Railway, he was named president. When the company was absorbed by the West End Street Railway, he was appointed roadmaster of the system. He left in 1890 to focus on law and politics. In 1896, he became legal counsel to the Boston Elevated Railway. He became the company's vice president and chairman of the board the following year. From 1899 to 1916, he was company president.Politics
In 1890, Bancroft was elected to the Cambridge board of aldermen. In 1892, he was elected to his first of five consecutive terms as mayor.Death
Bancroft died on March 11, 1922, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was buried in Groton Cemetery alongside his parents.