George C. Langdon

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]