George Curtis Langdon | |
---|---|
Mayor of Detroit | |
In office 1878–1879 | |
Preceded by | Alexander Lewis |
Succeeded by | William G. Thompson |
Personal details | |
Born | April 9, 1833 Geneva, New York |
Died | June 5, 1909 Geneva, New York |
George Curtis Langdon (April 5, 1833 – June 5, 1909) was the 38th mayor of Detroit, Michigan.
George Curtis Langdon was born in Geneva, New York April 5, 1833, the son of A. M. Langdon. [1] [2] He went to school in Batavia, New York and Farmington, Connecticut, and at the age of 18 became a clerk for the wholesale firm of Lord, Warren, Slater & Co. [1] The next year he returned to Geneva, and his father sent him to Flint, Michigan to become a farmer. After three years on the farm, Langdon moved to Detroit and entered Gregory Commercial College to study bookkeeping. [1] He graduated with a Master in Science of Bookkeeping and Accounts degree, [2] and began work as a bookkeeper, first for a copper smelting firm and then at a bank. [1] From there, he went into the commission business.
In 1864, Langdon and a partner purchased a brewery and began doing business under the name "Langdon and Co." [1] In 1870 he became sole proprietor, and a few years later sold the brewery to become a maltster; [1] his business enterprisese afforded him a comfortable fortune. [3]
Langdon, elected as a Democrat served one term as the mayor of Detroit, from 1878 - 1879. [1] After serving as mayor, Langdon suffered a number of setbacks which decimated his personal wealth and forced him to hire on as a clerk at the City Hall. [3]
Langdon married Fannie Vallie in 1859; [2] the couple had two daughters. [1] Langdon's wife died in 1887. Their daughter , Fanny, had died November 14, 1883. [2] Langdon died in June 5, 1909, in Geneva, New York. [4]