Quick Facts
Biography
George C. Langdon (1833 – June 1909) was the mayor of Detroit, Michigan.
Early years
George C. Langdon was born in Geneva, New York in 1833, the son of A. M. Langdon. 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. 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. He graduated with a Master in Science of Bookkeeping and Accounts degree, and began work as a bookkeeper, first for a copper smelting firm and then at a bank. From there, he went into the commission business.
Later years
In 1864, Langdon and a partner purchased a brewery and began doing business under the name "Langdon and Co." In 1870 he became sole proprieter, and a few years later sold the brewery to become a maltster; his business enterprisese afforded him a comfortable fortune.
Langdon, elected as a Democrat served one term as the mayor of Detroit, from 1878 - 1879. 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.
Langdon married Fannie Vallie in 1859; the couple had two daughters. Langdon's wife died in 1889, followed closely by one of his daughters. Langdon died in June, 1909, in Geneva, New York.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Alexander Lewis | Mayor of Detroit 1878–1879 | Succeeded by William G. Thompson |