George Tiedeman Explained

George Tiedeman
Office1:Mayor of Savannah, Georgia
Term Start1:1907
Term End1:1913
Order:45th
Predecessor1:Herman Myers
Successor1:Richard Davant
Birth Date:11 September 1861
Birth Place:Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Resting Place:Bonaventure Cemetery
Spouse:Sarah Floride Shivers
Relations:Roy Chapin (son-in-law)
Children:3
Mother:Amelia Corby Tiedeman
Father:Otto 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.[1] His father had immigrated to South Carolina from Germany in 1840.[2] His father worked as a grocer.[2] Tiedeman had two brothers and a sister.[2] In 1887, he moved to Savannah to work at his brother Irvin's wholesale grocery business.[2] 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.[2]

Tiedeman won an election as an alderman and was subsequently elected to three terms as mayor.[2] [3] 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).[2] As a great believer in technology, he outfitted the city with electric street lights and motorized the fire department.[2]

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).[1] Inez married Roy Chapin, the founder of the Hudson Motor Car Company.[2] Tiedeman died on June 30, 1935, and is buried at the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The People's Cemetery: Bonaventure Cemetery Acquired by the City of Savannah, 1907 - GEORGE W. TIEDEMAN (1861-1935), Mayor of the City of Savannah (January 21, 1907-January 27, 1913) . savannahga.gov.
  2. Book: Bailey, Tanya A.. The First American Grand Prix: The Savannah Auto Races, 1908-1911. 45–46. McFarland Publishing. May 29, 2014. 9780786476978.
  3. Web site: A List of Mayors and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, 1790-2012. savannahga.gov.