George C. Langdon was born in Geneva, New York in 1833, the son of A. M. Langdon. He went to school in Batavia, New York and Farmington, Connecticut, and at the age of 18 became a clerk for the wholesale firm of Lord, Warren, Slater & Company The next year he returned to Geneva, and his father sent him to Flint, Michigan to become a farmer.
After three years on the farm, Langdon moved to Detroit and entered Gregory Commercial College to study bookkeeping. He graduated with a Master in Science of Bookkeeping and Accounts degree, and began work as a bookkeeper, first for a copper smelting firm and then at a bank. From there, he went into the commission business.
In 1864, Langdon and a partner purchased a brewery and began doing business under the name "Langdon and Company" In 1870 he became sole proprieter, and a few years later sold the brewery to become a maltster.
His business enterprisese afforded him a comfortable fortune. Langdon, elected as a Democrat served one term as the mayor of Detroit, from 1878 - 1879.
After serving as mayor, Langdon suffered a number of setbacks which decimated his personal wealth and forced him to hire on as a clerk at the City Hall. Langdon married Fannie Vallie in 1859.
The couple had two daughters.
Langdon died in June, 1909, in Geneva, New New York
