William Cogswell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Cogswell
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William Cogswell while a U.S. Representative
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts |
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| In office March 4, 1887 – May 22, 1895 |
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| Preceded by | Eben F. Stone |
| Succeeded by | William Henry Moody |
| Constituency | 7th district (1887–93) 6th district (1893–95) |
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate | |
| In office 1885–1886 |
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| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives |
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| In office 1870–1871 |
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| In office 1881–1883 |
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| 16th and 19th Mayor of Salem | |
| In office September 26, 1867 – 1869 |
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| Preceded by | David Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Nathanial Brown |
| In office 1873–1874 |
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| Preceded by | Samuel Calley |
| Succeeded by | Henry Laurens Williams |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 23, 1838 Bradford, Massachusetts |
| Died | May 22, 1895 (aged 56) Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | Emma Thorndike Proctor (m. 1865, d. 1877) Eva M. Davis (m. 1881) |
| Children | William Emma Silsby |
| Education | Atkinson Academy Kimball Union Academy Phillips Academy |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College Harvard Law School |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United StatesUnion |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 - 1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
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| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Cogswell (born August 23, 1838 – died May 22, 1895) was an important figure in American history. He served as a U.S. Representative for Massachusetts. He was also a brave colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was later honored with the rank of brevet brigadier general.
Contents
William Cogswell's Early Life and Education
William Cogswell was born in Bradford, Massachusetts. His father, George Cogswell, was a respected surgeon and helped start the Republican Party in Massachusetts. William's grandfather, also named William Cogswell, was a surgeon in the Revolutionary War.
William attended several schools, including Atkinson Academy, Kimball Union Academy, and Phillips Academy. He then went to Dartmouth College in 1855. After a short time at Dartmouth, he took a two-year trip around the world as a sailor. When he returned, he studied law at Harvard Law School.
Starting a Law Career
On September 8, 1860, William Cogswell became a lawyer in Essex County, Massachusetts. He first worked for another lawyer, William D. Northend. In April 1861, he opened his own law office in Salem, Massachusetts.
Serving in the Civil War
Before the war, Cogswell was a private in a local militia group called the Second Corps of Cadets. This was a military organization in Massachusetts.
When news arrived on April 19, 1861, that soldiers had been attacked in Baltimore, Cogswell quickly acted. He turned his law office into a place to sign up new soldiers. In just 24 hours, he gathered a full company of volunteers. This was the first company in the country formed for the war effort.
This group became Company C of the Second Massachusetts Volunteers. William Cogswell became their captain on May 11, 1861. He was later promoted to lieutenant colonel in October 1862 and then to colonel in June 1863.
President Abraham Lincoln recognized Colonel Cogswell's bravery. He appointed him a brevet brigadier general on December 12, 1864. This appointment was confirmed by the United States Senate in February 1865. General Cogswell finished his military service on July 24, 1865. After the war, he went back to being a lawyer.
A Career in Politics
William Cogswell had a long career in public service.
- He served as the mayor of Salem for several terms: from 1867 to 1869, and again in 1873 and 1874.
- He was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1870, 1871, and from 1881 to 1883.
- He also served in the Massachusetts State Senate in 1885 and 1886.
- In 1892, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention.
Serving in Congress
Cogswell was elected as a Republican to the 50th United States Congress. He was re-elected four more times, serving from March 4, 1887, until he passed away. He died in Washington, D.C., on May 22, 1895. He was buried in Harmony Grove Cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts.
Personal Life
William Cogswell married Emma Thorndike Proctor on June 20, 1865. They had two children, William and Emma Silsby. Sadly, Emma passed away on April 1, 1877. William Cogswell later married Eva M. Davis on December 12, 1881. They remained married until his death.
