Dale County AlArchives Biographies.....Cody, James M. July 19 1860 - living in 1893 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 18, 2004, 2:29 pm Author: Brant & Fuller (1893) JAMES M. CODY, a business man of Midland City, Ala., was born at Spring Hill, Barbour county, Ala., July 19, 1860. He is a son of Michael and Fannie (Thornton) Cody, the former of whom was one of the best known men in his section of the country. He was born in Warren county, Ga., in 1837, and grew up in Early county, Ga., whither his father had moved. In his twenty-first year his parents moved to Bullock county, Ala., he coming with them, marrying and settling down on a farm. Later he engaged in merchandising, and in time became one of Bullock county's largest merchants. In 1860 he removed to Barbour county, where he owned a great deal of property in slaves, and as a result of the war the bulk of his property was swept away. He built up a fortune after the war, and in 1883, in connection with the subject of this sketch, engaged in the fertillizer business in Columbia, Ala., which he continued until 1890, when he removed to Dothen, where he now resides and still carries on an extensive fertilizer business. Both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church. The subject of this sketch grew up on his father's farm, spent a considerable portion of his time in attending common school, and the high school of Barbour county. At the age of nineteen he entered the store of H. C. Thornton, as a clerk, and worked a year. He then engaged in farming successfully for one year, and then, in company with J. F. Thornton, engaged in the cross tie and lumber business. Here he remained three years, when he went to Columbia, and became engaged in mercantile business with his brother Michael, continuing there three years. He then became engaged with his father in the fertilizing business, so continuing until January 1, 1892, when he took a contract for furnishing the Alabama Midland railroad with cross ties, forming a partnership with J. F. Thornton in this business, the name of the firm being Cody & Thornton. This firm now employs 100 men, and has its commissary store at Midland City. The subject of this sketch was the first to establish a business at Midland City, coming here when the depot was but just finished, and when there was no business house erected, and when he was at the same time carrying on business at Columbia. He opened an office for the sale of guano, and has continued in this business ever since. Without any solicitation on his part, he was appointed justice of the peace in 1891, and has held the office ever since. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. He is a straight-out democrat, and always takes an active interest in public affairs. In 1887 our subject took up the study of the law, and has since been reading whenever he has had leisure. He is almost ready to be admitted to the bar. Mr. Cody represents one of the younger element of Dale county, and takes great interest In everything tending to promote the welfare of the community. He is yet a single man. Additional Comments: from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 805-806 Published by Brant & Fuller (1893) Madison, WI This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 3.6 Kb