Frederick Bancroft: The Prince of Magicians

Frederick Bancroft (1866–1897) was a dentist and life insurance agent who tried to become a successful professional magician like his friend Alexander Herrmann. He moved to Chicago from central New York around 1878. As a boy, Bancroft performed magic on the stage under the name "De Castro, the boy magician" — doing only a few small tricks at the old Olympic Theatre on Clark Street in Chicago.

He eventually became a life insurance agent in the St. Paul, Minneapolis area. He was very successful and made money in the real estate boom. He became interested in magic again and started performing at church events, benefits, and clubs.