Michael Cody Jr., president of the Union Bank & Trust company, which he founded in 1901, was born at Spring Hill, Barbour County, Ala., Aug. 4, 1862, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, Michael Cody, Sr., a native of Warren County, Ga., was a planter and merchant who became prominent in his adopted home.In 1870 he was a Democratic member of the Alabama legislature, but his seat was contested by the Republicans, and in the struggle over the organization of the house he was ejected, with others, at the point of Federal bayonets. He was a man of strict integrity and fearless patriotism.
His mother, Frances Thornton Cody, was always faithful to the highest ideals of life, which she impressed upon her children by precept and example. Michael Cody, Sr. (1827-1910) and Frances Thornton (1837-1902) were married Jan. 10, 1854 in Barbour County, Alabama.
Their second son, Michael Cody, Jr., received a common school education at the old Spring Hill Academy, which has been very amply supplemented by liberal and judicious reading. His business career began when he was sixteen years old. At first, he was a clerk in a general store at Eufaula, but he soon ventured into business for himself.In 1887 Michael Cody, Jr.. moved to Montgomery and soon thereafter became connected with the firm of A. M. Kennedy & Son. Four years later he purchased the interest of the retiring senior member of that firm, and the name was changed to Kennedy & Cody.
After eight years of unusual success in that business, during which time it became the largest builders’ supply house in South Alabama, he withdrew to engage in banking, for which he had long been preparing. With keen foresight, he secured a liberal and valuable legislative charter for the Union Bank & Trust company. As its president, he has so shaped its policy and managed its affairs that it was recognized as one of the solid financial institutions of the State. He was the author of the Alabama law regulating State banks, the enactment of which was largely due to his shrewd and untiring efforts.His work received the commendation of the Alabama Bankers’ Association, in which he had become an officer.
In his business life, Mr. Cody adhered to rules of absolute honesty and methods of fairness and liberality. With proper public spirit, he responded to all demands for the general welfare and was counted among the most valuable citizens.Next, to his home, Mr. Cody found the most pleasure in religious work.
For many years he was notably effective as superintendent of the First Baptist Sunday school. He had long been active and prominent in that church and was one of the prime factors in the construction of the new edifice which was erected at a cost of about $75,000 ca. 1900.He also worked diligently in the local and State Young Men’s Christian association and Sunday school organizations.
Mr. Cody enjoyed home life and resided on Perry street in Montgomery’s choice residence section. Micahel Cody, Jr. married Dora Ferrell. (b. 1867-1896) She was the mother of his son Micahel Cody, III. She died in 1896 and he married her sister Sarah “Nep” Ferrell (b. 1877- d. aft. 1920), who was the mother of his last three children. The father of his two wives was Clarence A. Ferrell, the son of Judge Blount Coleman Ferrell.His four children were:
Michael Cody III,
Daniel Cody
Melbourne Cody
Virginia Cody
His first wife, Dora (Ferrell), the mother of Michael Cody III, died in 1896, and he married his present wife, Nep (Ferrell), some years later.Her father, Clarence A. Ferrell, is a son of the distinguished Georgian, Judge Blount Coleman Ferrell, of LaGrange, to whose name a gentler luster has been added by the famous “Ferrell Gardens,” the creation of his lovely wife.Michael Cody, Jr., was of genial disposition and was a fluent public speaker. He was efficient and persistent in his efforts and therefore was uniformly successful.SOURCES
Notable Men of Alabama edited by Joel Campbell DuBose Volume III
