John Christian Lodge was born on August 12, 1862, and passed away on February 6, 1950. He was an American politician who served as the mayor of Detroit, Michigan, during the years 1922 to 1923, in 1924, and from 1927 to 1929. He worked for more than 30 years on the Detroit City Council.
Early life
John C. Lodge was born in Detroit on August 12, 1862, to Dr. Edwin A. Lodge and Christiana Lodge, who was born Hanson. In 1881, he attended the Michigan Military Academy. From 1889 to 1896, he worked as a reporter and city editor for the Detroit Free Press. In 1897, he entered the lumber industry and worked with the Dwight Lumber Company.
Political career
Lodge worked as the chief clerk for the Wayne County Auditors from 1897 to 1905. He then served for two years as the mayor's secretary to George P. Codd. From 1909 to 1910, Lodge was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives as a Republican, representing Wayne County's 1st district. He also served as chair of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors. Lodge joined the Detroit City Council in 1910 and held the position for 17 years, including nine years as council president. During this time, he acted as mayor twice: first from December 5, 1922, to April 9, 1923, after James J. Couzens resigned to become a U.S. Senator, and again from August 2, 1924, to November 21, 1924, after Joseph A. Martin resigned. In 1927, Lodge was elected mayor and served until 1929. He was not re-nominated in 1929. After leaving the mayor's office, Lodge returned to the city council, where he worked from 1932 to 1947.
Personal life
Lodge was the great-uncle of aviator Charles Lindbergh. Before Lindbergh's famous transatlantic flight, he asked Lodge for money. Lodge said no, believing his grandnephew would not survive the journey. Lindbergh later received support from people in St. Louis instead of Detroit.
Lodge died on February 6, 1950, and is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit. After his death, a highway in Detroit called the John C. Lodge Freeway (M-10) was named in his honor.