William Crowninshield Endicott
Encyclopedia
William Crowninshield Endicott (November 19, 1826 – May 6, 1900) was an American
politician and Secretary of War in the Administration of President Grover Cleveland
.
. He graduated from Harvard University
in 1847 and attended Harvard Law School
in 1849-1850, prior to his admission to the Massachusetts bar in 1850. He married Ellen Peabody, daughter of George and Clarissa Peabody of Salem on December 13, 1859, in Salem, Massachusetts. Her grandfather was the distinguished Salem shipowner, Joseph Peabody
, who made a fortune importing pepper from Sumatra and was one of the wealthiest men in the United States at the time of his death in 1844. They had two children.
Following an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1879, Endicott served on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
until 1882. After an unsuccessful gubernatorial race in 1884, he was appointed Secretary of War
. He served in that capacity in the administration of Grover Cleveland
between 1885 and 1889. Endicott oversaw many important changes in the organization of the United States Army
, including the establishment of a system of examinations to determine the promotion of officers.
Endicott chaired the Endicott Board
of Fortifications which would provide the models for the generation of American coastal defense fortifications constructed in the era of the Spanish-American War
, the Endicott Period Fortifications.
William Crowninshield Endicott died in Boston, Massachusetts. He is buried with his wife in the Endicott Lot (1554) at Harmony Grove Cemetery
in Salem, Massachusetts.
, in 1888 and second the Anglican clergyman, William Hartley Carnegie, in 1916.
His son, William Crowninshield Endicott Jr., married in 1889 Marie Louise Thoron (1864-1958), daughter of Joseph and Anna Barker Ward Thoron.
He was a direct descendant of the Massachusetts governor, John Endecott
, and a first cousin three times removed of another Massachusetts governor, Endicott Peabody
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and Secretary of War in the Administration of President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
.
Life and work
William Crowninshield Endicott, son of William P. and Mary (Putnam) Endicott, was born in Salem, MassachusettsSalem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
. He graduated from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1847 and attended Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
in 1849-1850, prior to his admission to the Massachusetts bar in 1850. He married Ellen Peabody, daughter of George and Clarissa Peabody of Salem on December 13, 1859, in Salem, Massachusetts. Her grandfather was the distinguished Salem shipowner, Joseph Peabody
Joseph Peabody
Joseph Peabody was a merchant and shipowner who dominated trade between Massachusetts and the Far East for a number of years.-Family and career:...
, who made a fortune importing pepper from Sumatra and was one of the wealthiest men in the United States at the time of his death in 1844. They had two children.
Following an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1879, Endicott served on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The SJC has the distinction of being the oldest continuously functioning appellate court in the Western Hemisphere.-History:...
until 1882. After an unsuccessful gubernatorial race in 1884, he was appointed Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
. He served in that capacity in the administration of Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
between 1885 and 1889. Endicott oversaw many important changes in the organization of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, including the establishment of a system of examinations to determine the promotion of officers.
Endicott chaired the Endicott Board
Endicott Board
Several boards have been appointed by US presidents or Congress to evaluate the US defensive fortifications, primarily coastal defenses near strategically important harbors on the US shores, its territories, and its protectorates.-Endicott Board:...
of Fortifications which would provide the models for the generation of American coastal defense fortifications constructed in the era of the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, the Endicott Period Fortifications.
William Crowninshield Endicott died in Boston, Massachusetts. He is buried with his wife in the Endicott Lot (1554) at Harmony Grove Cemetery
Harmony Grove Cemetery
Harmony Grove Cemetery is a cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts. It was established in 1840 and is located at 30 Grove Street.The cemetery includes the Gothic revival Blake Memorial Chapel of 1905.-Notable burials:...
in Salem, Massachusetts.
Family
His daughter, Mary Crowninshield Endicott, married first the British statesman, Joseph ChamberlainJoseph Chamberlain
Joseph Chamberlain was an influential British politician and statesman. Unlike most major politicians of the time, he was a self-made businessman and had not attended Oxford or Cambridge University....
, in 1888 and second the Anglican clergyman, William Hartley Carnegie, in 1916.
His son, William Crowninshield Endicott Jr., married in 1889 Marie Louise Thoron (1864-1958), daughter of Joseph and Anna Barker Ward Thoron.
He was a direct descendant of the Massachusetts governor, John Endecott
John Endecott
John Endecott was an English colonial magistrate, soldier and the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. During all of his years in the colony but one, he held some form of civil, judicial, or military high office...
, and a first cousin three times removed of another Massachusetts governor, Endicott Peabody
Endicott Peabody
Endicott "Chub" Peabody was the 62nd Governor of Massachusetts from January 3, 1963 to January 7, 1965.-Early life:...
.