George P. Codd

George P. Codd
42nd Mayor of Detroit, Michigan
In office 1905–1906
Preceded by	William C. Maybury
Succeeded by	William Barlum Thompson
United States Representative for the 1st Congressional District of Michigan
In office March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1923
Preceded by	Frank E. Doremus
Succeeded by	Robert H. Clancy
Personal details
Born	December 7, 1869 Detroit, Michigan
Died	February 16, 1927 (aged 57) Detroit, Michigan
Spouse(s)	Kathleen Warner
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Profession	Lawyer

George Pierre Codd (December 7, 1869 – February 16, 1927) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.

Biography

Codd was born on December 7, 1869, in Detroit, Michigan,^[1] the son of George C. and Eunice Lawrence Codd. His father, George C., had a long history of public service, including stints as postmaster of Detroit, sheriff of Wayne County, Michigan, and as a member of the Detroit City Council.^[2]

Codd cropped from the 1891 Michigan baseball team portrait

The younger Codd attended the public schools in Detroit and graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1891 with a Bachelor of Arts.^[2] While attending Michigan, Codd played for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team as a pitcher from 1888 to 1892.^[3] He was the captain of the Michigan baseball team for a record-setting four consecutive years from 1888 to 1891.^[4]

After graduating, Codd began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1892 and commenced practice in Detroit in 1893.^[1][2]

Codd first worked at the law first of Griffin, Warner, and Hunt. He was assistant city attorney from 1894 to 1897, then became a partner in the firm of Warner, Codd, and Warner with Carlos E. and Williard E. Warner. This partnership lasted until Carlos's death in 1901, after which Codd began his own firm.

Codd married Kathleen Warner, daughter of Carlos E. Warner, in 1894. The couple had three children: John W., George C., and Kathleen.^[2]

Politics

Codd was a member of the board of aldermen from 1902 to 1904.^[2] He was elected mayor of Detroit and served from 1905 to 1906, but his support for compromise fares for the Detroit Street Railway turned public opinion against him, and he was unsuccessful in his bid for re-election.^[1][5] He was a delegate to the 1908 Republican National Convention. He served as regent of the University of Michigan in 1910 and 1911. He was appointed circuit judge of Wayne County serving the 3rd Circuit from 1911 to 1921.

Codd was elected as a Republican from Michigan's 1st congressional district to the 67th United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1921 to March 3, 1923. In 1922, he declined to be a candidate for re-nomination and resumed the practice of law.

George P. Codd was again elected circuit judge of Wayne County in 1924 and served until his death on February 26, 1927. He was interred in Elmwood Cemetery.^[1]

References

1. United States Congress. "George P. Codd (id: C000579)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
2. Compendium of History and Biography of the City of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan. Henry Taylor & Co. 1908. pp. 484–485.
3. Edwin H. Humphrey (1898). The Michigan Book. The Inland Press. pp. 152–154.
4. "Michigan Baseball Captains". University of Michigan.
5. The government of the city of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan: 1701 to 1907, historical and biographical, 1907, p. 51

External links

• The Political Graveyard