Hiram Hitchcock Cody 1856-1857
Born June 11, 1824 in Vernon Center, Oneida County, New York.

Died December 16, 1907 in Naperville, DuPage County, Illinois.

Educated at Hamilton College.

In 1843, with his father's family, he settled at Bloomingdale, DuPage County, Illinois.
Married Philomena Eusebia Sedgewick on December 31, 1846, the Rev. Stephen E. Harrison officiating. They had 12 children, Abram Satterley, Phila Mina, Rosalie May, Hiram Sedgwick, Sherman Parker, George Herbert, Arthur Buck, Huldah Caroline, Frances Adaline, Grace Ethelwyn, and Hope Reed.

In 1847, he moved to Naperville, having been elected Clerk of the County Commissioners, Court of DuPage County.
In 1849, he was elected the first County Clerk of DuPage County, and during the six years he held the office, he applied himself to the study of law, and finally, was admitted to the bar, after which he devoted himself to his profession.
In 1861 he was almost unanimously elected County Judge of DuPage County.

Served as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70.

He served as the Village President/Mayor of Naperville in 1867.

Northwestern College (North Central) Lecturer on Commercial Law, 1871 - 1876.
In 1874, he was elected Judge of the Fourth Judicial Court of Illinois (composed of the counties of Kane, DuPage, and Kendall) by the largest majority ever given in the circuit.
In 1879, he commenced the practice of his profession in Chicago, moving there shortly after.

He was initiated in Euclid Lodge January 22, 1850; passed January 29, 1850, and raised February 5, 1850. He was elected Senior Warden in 1852 and Junior Warden in 1851.

The following biography is from "History of DuPage County, 1882," by Rufus Blanchard.

HON. HIRAM H. CODY, P.O. Naperville, is a native of Vernon Center, Oneida Co., N.Y. He was born June 11, 1824, and is the son of Hiram Cody and Huldah, nee Hitchcock. His paternal grandparents, Samuel Cody and Susannah, nee Carroll, were among the pioneers of Oneida County. The former was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army; the latter, with pardonable pride, traced her lineage to Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. His maternal grandparents, David Hitchcock and Mercy, nee Gilbert, formerly of Connecticut, but during many years residents of Hamilton, Madison Co., N.Y., were universally respected for their many virtues. Hiram's parents took a deep interest in his early education, and intended to give him the advantage of a thorough course of study in Hamilton College, five miles from their home. Their design was that he should enter the legal profession, an in all his instruction, both at school and under private tuition, this purpose was kept in view, and, being well known to him, made a very deep impression upon his hopes and aspirations for the future. A sad disappointment, however, awaited him. His father, who was engaged in mercantile business, was by a sudden reverse of fortune compelled to resume the occupation of his early life, that of shoemaking. Hiram, the eldest of five children, then about sixteen years of age, was expecting to enter an advanced class in college the following year, instead, however, he voluntarily left his school and assisted his father in the support of the family, pursuing his studies afterward to some extent under private instruction. The circumstances, though it seemed a great calamity, and the destroyer of his highest hopes and aspirations proved to him a blessing in disguise, by inducing his removal to the West and settlement in Illinois. In 1843, with his father's family, he removed to Lisbon, Kendall Co., Ill., and one year later the family settled at Bloomingdale, DuPage County. In 1847, Mr. Cody removed to Naperville, having been elected Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court of DuPage County. Two years later, upon the adoption of the Constitution of 1848, he was nominated by acclamation, and in 1849, elected the first County Clerk of said county, and during the six years he held the office he applied himself to the study of law, and finally, was admitted to the bar, after which he retired from public life and devoted himself to his profession. Politically, his views were Democratic, but during the war of the rebellion his earnest efforts and eloquent appeals in behalf of the Union cause will ever be remembered by his fellow-citizens, and it was to these that DuPage County was largely indebted for her brilliant record made during the war. In 1861, in a convention assembled without distinction of party, he was nominated and afterward almost unanimously elected County Judge of DuPage County. In 1869, he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and was one of its most useful members, being elected by votes irrespective of party. He acted with a small number of independents who in the convention really held the balance of power, which they so used that party spirit was more nearly banished from that assembly than from any deliberative legislative body that ever convened in Illinois. He was the chairman of the important committee on Revision and Adjustment. In 1874, he was elected to succeed the Hon. S. Wilcox as judge of the Fourth Judicial Court of Illinois (composed of the counties of Kane, DuPage and Kendall) by the largest majority ever given in the circuit, every town in his own county giving him a majority, and in the three south towns, which have been his home since 1847, out of a total vote of 1,021, he received 1,007. During his official term as Circuit Judge, the Appelate Court was organized and the State redistricted, the counties of Lake, McHenry, DeKalb and Boone being combined with Kane, DuPage and Kendall, forming what is now know as the Twelfth Judicial District. At the end of his term, the Republicans of the new circuit held a convention and nominated a party ticket for the three judges then to be elected, which resulted in the retirement of Judge Cody from the bench, though he was largely supported as an independent candidate by those who were opposed to making political nominations for judicial offices. Although the district had a Republican majority of about 12,000, and was well organized, the Judge lacked but about 2,000 votes of being successful against the regular party nomination. Immediately after the election in 1879, he commenced the practice of his profession in Chicago, having formed a partnership with Messrs. E.H. and N.E. Gary, the firm being as Gary, Cody & Gary, and having an extended and rapidly growing practice. In the fall of 1880, Judge Cody was nominated by the Democrats first for the office of State Senator for the Fourteenth Senatorial District, and soon after for Representative in Congress for the First Congressional District, both of which nominations he declined. As a Judge, he was peculiarily free from prejudices, and his thorough investigation of the law, his clear perceptions and his careful, deliberate and correct opinions made for him a most enviable reputation at home or abroad. During his whole term as County Judge, no appeal was ever taken from his decisions, and of the appeals taken during his term as Circuit Judge, over 81 per cent were affirmed by the Supreme Court. Judge Cody was married, December 31, 1846, to Miss Philomela E. Sedgwick, daughter of Parker Sedgwick, M.D., formerly of Lowell, Oneida Co., N.Y., but since 1843 a resident of DuPage County, Ill., where he is widely known as an eminent and successful physician. Mrs. Cody is a lady of intelligence and refinement, esteemed for her earnest piety and her true womanly qualities; a devoted wife and fond mother. They have from early life both been members of the Congregational Church.

Obituary reprinted from "The Naperville Clarion", December, 1907.

The funeral services of Judge Cody were held at the Congregational Church, Wednesday, December 18th at 3 p.m.

Rev. Mr. Peebles officiated. Hon. Justice Orrin N. Carter of the State Supreme Court, Hon. John H. Batten and Marquis Eaton Esq. spoke. The music was furnished by a quartet comprising Mrs. A. C. Unger, Miss Julia Barnard, Mr. Arthur Becker, Mr. Truman Myers, with Miss May Cooper as organist. Mrs. Alvin Scott, Mrs. Elizabeth Nichols and Mrs. H. H. Goodrich arranged the flowers. Mr. Willard Scott, lifelong friend of Judge Cody, directed the arrangements by Euclid Lodge No. 65, A.F. & A.M. Mr. Earl Sargent, W.M., led the procession to the church and conducted the interment.

The Honorary Pall Bearers were; Capt. T. S. Rogers, Warren Rogers, Geo. Hart, Alonzo Palmer, Elbert Stanley, W. W. Wickel, Philip Strubler, Wm. Laird, W. R. Goodwin, Wm. Kearns, Joseph Kochly, Chas. Goodrich, V. A. Dieter, Francis Granger, Robt. Heynen, Thos. Hull, Edgar Simpson, D. D. Barnard, Spencer Green.

The Active Pall Bearers were; Alvin Scott, Sam'l Mather, A. C. Unger, Chas. Heydon, C. W. Rathbun, Frank Strubler.

Rev. Mr. Peebles told of Judge Cody's work for many years for the Congregational Church and Sunday school. He spoke of him as one of whom no tribute could be given that would not be approved by his fellow men.

He referred to the work of Judge Cody on behalf of the church in its days of weakness when his efforts in its behalf did much to preserve its existence. "Only great souls," he quoted, "can stoop to lowly deeds," and commended the practical help that the judge gave the church in its early days. He also spoke of the many Sundays that the judge had filled the pulpit when the church was without a pastor - reading sermons of Talmadge or a Beecher and sustaining the interest in the church. "But," he said, "perhaps the largest and most important work which Mr. Cody did for this church was in the Sunday school. For twenty-five consecutive years Mr. Cody was Superintendent of this Sunday school a fact which speaks loudly of his fidelity to what he regarded as his Christian duty. And who can tell what impressions for good were made on youthful, plastic minds by these Sunday school services under his superintendence?" "He was a good man, has been the universal testimony of all who have known him, and I know of no grander tribute that can be paid to any man."

Justice Carter spoke of Judge Cody as a lawyer and a judge. He said, "Judge Cody was preeminently a quiet modest lawyer and judge, strong, simple, steadfast, these were his characteristics, and in these, the greatest of virtues of great, he was pre-eminent. As a lawyer he most thoroughly prepared his cases. He was not only an honest man but an honest lawyer, honest intellectually with every legal problem that came before him for solution. He was well grounded in those fundamental principles that have made the Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence foremost in progress of the world. In the court room, he was most kindly and considerate to his associates, most gentle, nay even knightly in his treatment of his opponents. As a judge he was ideal. He had the patience and the fairness to listen to all sides, and the ability to grasp all the points in the case and decide on those turning points. I cannot well express some of his characteristics as they have been told in a telegram from his former partner whom you all know. Judge Elbert H. Gary, now at the head of one of the largest corporations in the world. I am deeply affected. I mourn with you the loss of a great and good man. He was an able lawyer, an honest man, and a good citizen. As a judge he was unsurpassed. A big hearted, broad minded, generous man has gone to his rest. All who knew him will cherish the memory of his goodness." Judge Carter concluded, saying, "He was an ideal judge. What higher encomium can be given anyone? When I die and am laid away to rest, I shall ask no higher praise."

Judge John H. Batten spoke feelingly of one who he termed an "almost life-long friend." "I loved him as I would my father, I never heard him say any an unkind word of anyone in my life. He succeeded in living the "Golden Rule." You can apply the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount to our friend and they only speak his attributes. He was meek, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker, always hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Never was a man more richly endowed with the love of love, with the hate of hate. His heart was great, there was no room in it for the memory of a wrong. He loved all. He was beloved by all. In the last words his hand ever penned, a letter to a friend, he said; "As I grow older, the judgement ripens, the vision clears, with malice toward none and charity for all, we press on to the great beyond." On his last day he was half dreaming of some of his writing and said "its hard to get just the right word." His son said, "father, what do you think of the word 'love'". He answered, "Its the greatest thing in the world, its one of the names of God."

Judge Batten told of how the little boys of the neighborhood had contributed and brought flowers for their old friends casket. He concluded, "He was virtuous in his life, mercy and charity guided him in all his dealings, under all circumstances he did his duty. He loved his home. He loved to obey his God. It was always good to come into his presence. He shed light on all around him. Farewell my friend, let the light eternal shine upon you."

Marquis Eaton, Esq., of Chicago, spake of Judge Cody as a friend of young men. He said, "It seems to me no sacrilege to declare that Judge Cody in his relationship to young men was a human revelation of the Fatherhood of God. If my little boy were old enough, I should not hesitate to teach him that the Divine Fatherhood is the infinite expression of the kind of loving, helpful, tender solicitude and interest, which every young man saw shining in the eyes and radiating from the countenance of his friend Judge Hiram H. Cody. The fact that I feel this after six years of intimate association would carry little import, but I am simply the mouthpiece of countless hundreds who would be glad to hear their personal testimony to this effect. Of him a neighbor said: "He is the sweetest man that ever walked our streets or entered our homes." He was the most lovable man we knew. He combined in his character all the force of manhood, earnest, determined and effective, with all the faith of womanhood, trustful, sweet and sympathetic. His heart was as tender as the heart of a child. He was sensitive to a degree; yet hurt rather than offended, grieved rather than disturbed. He forgave at the first sign of remorse, and the thing forgiven was blotted out forever. He was always fair. He loved his neighbor as himself, but he respected himself. We trusted him, confided in him, respected him and loved him. We shall dedicated to his sweet memory the best we shall achieve. He was the young mans friend and choice example, and youth is everywhere the richer for his life and the poorer for his death."

Hiram H. Cody was one of the oldest surviving settlers of this state. He was in his eighty-fourth year and had he lived until December 31st, would have celebrated, with Mrs. Cody who survives him, the sixty-first anniversary of their marriage.

He was born in Oneida County, New York, June 11, 1824. His ancestors were pioneer settlers of that section. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. In 1843 he came with his father to Kendall County, Ill. A year later he settled at Bloomingdale, in DuPage County. Four years afterwards, when twenty-three years old, he was elected Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of DuPage County and moved to Naperville, where, upon the adoption of the Constitution of 1848, he was nominated by acclimation and elected the first County Clerk of DuPage County, which office he held for six years. During his term of office he read law, was admitted to the Bar and declining renomination, began the practice of his profession.

At the time of the Civil War he was one of the most ardent union men in the state, his energy and eloquent appeals having contributed very largely to the brilliant war record of DuPage County. In 1861, in a convention embracing all parties, he was nominated as County Judge, and elected by an almost unanimous vote. In 1869 he was elected delegate to the Constitutional Convention of Illinois, which adopted the present Constitution of this state. He was chairman of the Committee on Revision and Adjustment, making his report at the hour of final adjournment, a promptitude which secured his Committee the only unanimous vote of thanks during the session.

In 1875 he was elected Judge of the Judicial Circuit, then comprising Kane, DuPage and Kendall Counties, by the largest majority ever given in the Circuit Court, the three towns where he was best known polling for him all but fourteen out of a possible 1021 ballots. At the close of his term in 1879, he became a member of the law firm of Gary, Cody & Gary, in Chicago, and continued this connection until 1886. One of his partners was E. H. Gary, now at the head of the United States Steel Corporation. In 1886 he formed a co-partnership with his sons and continued the practice of law until 1893, when he retired from actual practice of his profession.

Judge Cody lived at Naperville in DuPage County until 1890, when he moved with his family to Chicago. From 1893 until 1897, he resided in Pasadena, California. He returned to Chicago and has since resided in this city. As a Judge, he was without prejudice, careful, deliberate and correct, eighty percent of his appeal decisions having been affirmed by the higher courts. As a lawyer he was noted for rare ability, skill and faithfulness to his clients; as a citizen, he was ever loyal, outspoken in his convictions, and zealous in his support of honest men and measures, while as a man he was known by everyone as courteous, sympathetic, unselfish, with a contempt for all sham and an unswerving ambition to do right for its own sake.

Judge Cody leaves surviving him his widow, Philomena Sedgwick Cody, two sons, Arthur B. and Sherman P., and four daughters, Rose M., Grace E., Carrie H. and Mrs. M A. Sattley.