William Crownnin-Shield Endicott was an American jurist, secretary of war.
Background
William Crownnin-Shield Endicott was born in Salem, Massachusetts, a direct descendant in the eighth generation of Governor John Endecott, and a grandson of Jacob Crown- inshield, a distinguished member of Congress. Endicott was the eldest of the four children of William Putnam Endicott and his first wife, Mary Crowninshield. He was baptized as William Gardner Endicott, but his name was changed, April 19, 1837, by special act of the legislature.
Education
He received his early education at Salem Latin School, going from there to Harvard, where he graduated in the class of 1847. He continued his studies at the Harvard Law School (1849 - 50).
Career
After spending some two years in the office of Nathaniel J. Lord, one of the leading attorneys in Salem, he continued his studies at the Harvard Law School (1849 - 50), and was admitted to the bar of Essex County in November 1850.
Three years later he entered into partnership with Jairus W. Perry, under the firm name of Perry and Endicott.
He became city solicitor in 1858, but retired from this position in 1863.
In 1866, 1867, and 1868 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the office of attorney-general in Massachusetts on the Democratic ticket, and in 1870 he was defeated for Congress by Benjamin F. Butler.
Achievements
Politics
Endicott had originally been a member of the Whig party, but when it disintegrated in 1856, he, like Rufus Choate and many others, joined the Democrats.
Membership
a distinguished member of Congress
dmitted to the bar of Essex County in November 1850
He was chosen a member of the Salem Common Council in 1852, 1853, and 1857, and was made its president during his third term.
Personality
In appearance he was tall and striking, and his manners were invariably courtly.
He represented in his character and career the best of the old New England traditions.
Connections
He married, December 13, 1859, Ellen Peabody, daughter of George and Clara (Endicott) Peabody, of Salem. He had two children, William Crowninshield Endicott, Jr. , born in 1860, and Mary Crowninshield Endicott, born in 1864, who became the wife of the Right Honorable Joseph Chamberlain, the British statesman, and after his death married William Hartley Carnegie, dean of Westminster and chaplain of the House of Commons.