Autumn 2007 Contrarian’s Notebook

“Without the Wall Street Journal, we're just another rich family,” a member of the Bancroft family once remarked.

For nearly 80 years, this seemingly admirable perception prevented Clarence Barron's descendants from selling the Journal's parent, Dow Jones & Co., even though they had little to do with running it. In the Bancrofts' eyes, Dow Jones was not so much a business as a public trust, and they were its stewards.

Already a subscriber? Sign In

About the Author(s)

Related Articles

KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY

The Family Business newsletter. Weekly insight for family business leaders and owners to improve their family dynamics and their businesses.