Endicott, William Crowninshield, the son of William Putnam and Mary (Crowninshield) Endicott of Salem, Essex county, was born in Salem, November 19, 1826. His father was a graduate of Harvard University, class of 1822, and a descendant from John Endicott, the first governor of Massachusetts. His maternal grandfather, Jacob Crowninshield, was a member of Congress for some years, and was appointed and confirmed secretary of the navy in Jefferson's cabinet, but declined, preferring to remain in Congress.
William C. Endicott received his early education in the Latin school in Salem; he entered Harvard University in 1843, and was graduated with the class of 1847.
Soon after graduating, he studied law in the office of Nathaniel J. Lord, then the leading member of the Essex bar, and in the Harvard law school. He was called to the bar in 1850, and began practice in Salem in 1851. He was elected a member of the Salem common council in 1852, and in 1853 entered into co-partnership with J. W. Perry, under the firm name of Perry & Endicott. In 1857 he became city solicitor, which office he held until 1864. In 1873 he was appointed by Governor William B. Washburn, to the bench of the supreme court of Massachusetts. He remained on the bench until 1882, when he resigned.
Judge Endicott was president of the Salem Bank from 1857 to '73. In 1863 he was elected president of the Peabody Academy of Science in Salem, and still holds the office.
In 1884 he was Democratic candidate for governor of the State.
In 1885 he became secretary of war in the cabinet of President Cleveland.
He was married December 13, 1859, to Ellen, daughter of George Peabody, of Salem. His family consists of two children: William C., Jr., and Mary C. Endicott, who was married on the 15th of November, 1888, to Mr. Joseph Chamberlain of Birmingham, England.