HOADLEY, GEORGE (15 Dec. 1781-20 Feb. 1857), politician and leading legal figure in mid-19th-century Cleveland, was born in Connecticut, the son of Timothy and Rebecca Linley (Taintor) Hoadley. He graduated from Yale in 1801 and later studied law. He held various jobs as a newspaper writer and tutor at Yale before embarking on a career in law. He also served a term as mayor of New Haven. Hoadley came to Cleveland in 1830, establishing a law practice. Highly regarded for his erudition, he was often consulted on law matters. From 1832-46 he served as justice of the peace, and in 1846 was elected mayor for a 2-year term. As justice of the peace, Hoadley purportedly decided over 20,000 legal cases during his 14-year tenure with a reputation for being firm but fair; few of his decisions were reversed. He administered the oath of office to the first city council in 1836. As mayor of Cleveland, Hoadley was largely responsible for the establishment of the city's first high school for qualified common school students. As a result of his efforts, the first high school for boys was opened in 1846; a department for girls was added the following year. The school was eventually closed because of opposition to its selective nature. Hoadley married Mary Woolsey in 1819 and had 4 children: Mary Ann, Elisabeth Dwight, George, and Laura. Mary Woolsey had a son, William, from a previous marriage. Their son, Geo. Hoadly (who dropped the e from the family name), was elected governor of Ohio in 1883. Hoadley died in Cleveland and was buried in ERIE STREET CEMETERY.
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