William Morrow Knox Olcott (August 27, 1862 – May 10, 1933) was an American lawyer and politician from New York City.

Early life

He was born on August 27, 1862, in New York City to John N. Olcott and Euphemia Helen Knox. Future Congressman J. Van Vechten Olcott and mining engineer Eben Erskine Olcott were his brothers. He graduated from

City College City college may refer to: In the United States * Community college, a type of educational institution sometimes called a ''junior college'' or a ''city college'' in the United States * City College of New York ** 137th Street – City College (IR ...

in 1881, and from Columbia Law School in 1883.

Career

He practiced law and entered politics as a Republican. In November 1893, he ran for judge of the

New York City Court The New York City court system consists of the several citywide and state courts. Courts There are two city courts, the Criminal Court and the Civil Court, and several state courts, the Supreme Court, Surrogate's Court, and Family Court. Unlike t ...

, but was defeated. He was a member of the

Board of Aldermen An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members them ...

from January 1895 until his appointment as New York County District Attorney He was appointed New York County District Attorney in December 1896 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of

John R. Fellows John R. Fellows (July 29, 1832 – December 7, 1896) was an American lawyer and politician from Arkansas and New York (state), New York. He served as New York County District Attorney (1888-1890, 1894-1896), and a member of Congress from New Yo ...

. In November 1897, he ran on the Republican ticket to succeed himself, but was defeated by Democrat

Asa Bird Gardiner Asa Bird Gardiner (September 30, 1839 – May 24, 1919) was a controversial American soldier, attorney, and district attorney for New York County (a.k.a. the Borough of Manhattan) from 1898 to 1900. He received the Medal of Honor for his service ...

. In December 1897, Olcott was appointed by Governor

Frank S. Black Frank Swett Black (March 8, 1853March 22, 1913) was an American newspaper editor, lawyer and politician. A Republican, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1895 to 1897, and the 32nd Governor of New York from 1897 ...

, a judge of the New York City Court, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Robert Anderson Van Wyck who had been elected Mayor. He left the bench at the end of 1898, and resumed his private practice as a partner of Ex-Governor Black in the firm of Black, Olcott, Gruber & Bonynge. He was a delegate to the

1904 Republican National Convention The 1904 Republican National Convention was held in the Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, on June 21 to June 23, 1904. The popular President Theodore Roosevelt had easily ensured himself of the nomination; a threat had come fro ...

and to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1915.

Personal life

On December 6, 1888, he married Jessica Augusta Baldwin, and their son was Nellson Olcott, who became an Assistant District Attorney under Edward Swann and

Joab H. Banton Joab Hamilton Banton (August 27, 1869 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas – July 20, 1949) was New York County District Attorney from 1922 to 1929. (subscription required) Early life and education He was the son of Joab H. Banton, a judge in Wa ...

. In January 1930, his first wife died aboard the steamer ''Rome'' on the return voyage from Italy. In June 1931, he married Florence A. Cobbett (died 1951).

Sources

''SMOKED AND MADE A TICKET''
in NYT on October 18, 1893
''THE CITY'S OFFICIAL VOTE''
in NYT on November 24, 1894
''OLCOTT TAKES HIS OFFICE''
in NYT on December 20, 1896
''REPUBLICANS NAME OLCOTT''
in NYT on October 8, 1897
''OFFICIAL COUNT OF VOTES''
in NYT on November 21, 1897
''BLACK TO MOVE TO CITY''
in NYT on December 12, 1898
''BLACK TO FIGHT JEROME''
in NYT on December 6, 1902

his first wife's obit, in NYT on January 25, 1930 (subscription required)

in NYT on July 1, 1931 (subscription required)
''W.M.K. OLCOTT, EX-JUDGE, DEAD''
in NYT on May 11, 1933 (subscription required)

his second wife's obit, in NYT on July 18, 1951 (subscription required) {{DEFAULTSORT:Olcott, William Morrow Knox 1862 births 1933 deaths Columbia Law School alumni New York County District Attorneys City College of New York alumni New York (state) Republicans