John Sergeant Cram

John Sergeant Cram Sr. (May 18, 1851 - January 18, 1936) was president of the Dock Board and the head of the New York Public Service Commission. Early life Cram was born on May 18, 1851, in New York City. He was the eldest son born to Harry Augustus Cram (1818–1894), a lawyer, and Katherine Sergeant (1825–1910). His maternal grandparents were John Sergeant (1779–1852), a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, and Margaretta (née Watmough) Sergeant (1787–1869). His aunt, Margaretta Sergeant was married to Major General George Meade. Through his aunt, Sarah Sergeant, who married Governor of Virginia Henry A. Wise, he was a first cousin of politicians John Sergeant Wise and Richard Alsop Wise. His uncle was James Watson Webb, the United States Ambassador to Brazil, who married his father's sister, Laura Virginia Cram. Through Webb, he was a first cousin of Gen. Alexander S. Webb, railroad executive H. Walter Webb, G. Creighton Webb, and Dr. William Seward Webb, who married Eliza Osgood Vanderbilt, daughter of William H. Vanderbilt. Career He was educated at St. Paul's School and graduated from Harvard College in 1872 and, later, Harvard Law School in 1875. After graduation from Law School, he practiced law with his father at his father's firm.