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

George Tiedeman
45th
Mayor of Savannah, Georgia
In office
1907–1913
Preceded byHerman Myers
Succeeded byRichard Davant
Personal details
Born(1861-09-11)September 11, 1861
Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
DiedJune 30, 1935(1935-06-30) (aged 73)
Resting placeBonaventure Cemetery
SpouseSarah Floride Shivers
RelationsRoy Chapin (son-in-law)
Children3
Parents
  • Otto Tiedeman (father)
  • Amelia Corby Tiedeman (mother)

Biography edit

 
George Tiedeman house in Savannah

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 edit

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]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c d e f g h i Bailey, Tanya A. (May 29, 2014). The First American Grand Prix: The Savannah Auto Races, 1908-1911. McFarland Publishing. pp. 45–46. ISBN 9780786476978.
  3. ^ "A List of Mayors and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, 1790-2012". savannahga.gov.