George Tiedeman

George Tiedeman (September 11, 1861 – June 30, 1935) was an American politician who served three terms as mayor of Savannah, Georgia (1907–1913).

Biography

Tiedeman was born on September 11, 1861, in Charleston, South Carolina as the son of Amelia (née Corby) and Otto Tiedeman. His father had immigrated to South Carolina from Germany in 1840. His father worked as a grocer. Tiedeman had two brothers and a sister. In 1887, he moved to Savannah to work at his brother Irvin's wholesale grocery business. He became politically active and worked on the local Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trade, and served as president of the Georgia State Savings Association.

Tiedeman won an election as an alderman and was subsequently elected to three terms as mayor. During his time as mayor, he brought the American Grand Prix race to Savannah (the 1908 American Grand Prize, the 1910 American Grand Prize, the 1911 Vanderbilt Cup, and the 1911 American Grand Prize). As a great believer in technology, he outfitted the city with electric street lights and motorized the fire department.

Personal life

In 1890, he married Sarah Floride Shivers (1867–1943) of Savannah. They had three children: Carsten (1902–1979), Inez, and George (1894–1901). Inez married Roy Chapin, the founder of the Hudson Motor Car Company. Tiedeman died on June 30, 1935, and is buried at the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.