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Henry Bradford Endicott(September 11, 1853-February 12,1920)

Endicott the son of Augustus Bradford Endicott,(September 10, 1818-November 21, 1910)who was a Massachusetts state legislator and sheriff of Norfolk County, and Sarah Fairbanks (1821-1895),was born on September 11, 1853, on East Street, Dedham, Massachusetts. He was a direct descendant of Gilbert Endicott,(or Gilburt Indicott as it first was written) who arrived in Massachusetts from England in 1658.

Endicott worked with his family on the farm and split profits with his mother on the Milk Farm. His first schooling was at East Street School, Dedham, Mass. Later graduating from Dedham High School at 18. He proceeded to go to Boston and go door to door to find a job. He eventually obtained work in a plumber's shop. He later maintained all he ever learned about the plumbing business was the extortionate prices one had to pay. He had come to Boston to help the family exchequer, as well as to start his life, but could not fully divorce himself from his boyhood. Shortly after hiring he decided to take a day off and go to the Massachusetts State Fair in Readville. When he instructed his boss of his plans to take a day off he was notified if he did he would be fired. He went anyway and was promptly fired on his return to work the next day. His father had by now already labeled him a failure. His next job he worked at a hardware concern at a wage of thirty-three and one third cents a day. After 10 days he did not like the way the employees were being treated and went to the head of the concern and told him he was quitting. When asked why, he stated he did not like the business. It was suggested that he leave the sooner the better. He then took a position in a wholesale woolen store at the same salary. Later becoming a porter and errand boy. These changes took about a years time. He later obtained work in the leather district, the first stepping-stone to his ultimate business success, and where he gained an education and experience that was the foundation on which finally built up the greatest shoe manufacturing concern in the world. In 1875 at the age of twenty-two year, Endicott went into business for himself under the firm name of H.B Endicott & Company, opening an office on 27 High Street. Only a few doors down from where his Endicott-Johnson Corporation Offices later stood. During his apprenticeship he gained the confidence of several influential Tanners who now gave him their lines to sell, backed by good will and substantial credit. In the early nineties he acquired and interest in the Lester Brothers Shoe Company in Binghamton, New York. In Endicott's own words: "The elder members of the company died or were incapacitated or something and it was left to one of the sons of the Lester's."

References: Henry B. Endicott : A Brief Memoir Of His Life And His Services To The State And Nation  Author: Endicott, Henry Bradford, 1853-1920. (Boston, Massachusetts: McGrath-Sherrill press 1921)