Albert Cobo
Encyclopedia
Albert Eugene Cobo was an American
politician
who served as Mayor of Detroit from 1950-1957. He was the next to last Republican
to hold that office.
Cobo opened and ran two candy stores in Detroit, while attending night school to study business administration and accounting at the Detroit Business Institute
. After completing his studies, he sold his stores and went to work for Burroughs Corporation, working his way up to an executive position. In 1933, the city of Detroit was in a financial crisis, and Burroughs "loaned" Cobo to the city. However, he never returned to work for Burroughs, and ran for and was elected Detroit City Treasurer in 1935.
Albert Cobo served as City Treasurer of Detroit for seven terms before first running for the mayor's office in 1949. He won the mayor's race, and was elected twice more (the third time for four years). He declined to seek a fourth term.
Cobo served as president of the American Municipal Association and a trustee of the United States Conference of Mayors
.
Cobo ran on the Republican ticket in 1956 for governor of Michigan
, but was handily beaten by G. Mennen Williams
, his first loss after ten successful city-wide campaigns.
Cobo died of a heart attack on September 12, 1957, just months before his last term in office would have ended. Cobo Center (formerly Cobo Hall) is named in his honor. He is interred at Woodlawn Cemetery
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who served as Mayor of Detroit from 1950-1957. He was the next to last Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to hold that office.
Biography
Albert Cobo was born in Detroit on October 2, 1893. He married his childhood sweetheart, Ethel; the couple had two daughters, Jean and Elaine.Cobo opened and ran two candy stores in Detroit, while attending night school to study business administration and accounting at the Detroit Business Institute
Detroit Business Institute
The Detroit Business Institute is an educational institute originally founded in Detroit, Michigan.-History:...
. After completing his studies, he sold his stores and went to work for Burroughs Corporation, working his way up to an executive position. In 1933, the city of Detroit was in a financial crisis, and Burroughs "loaned" Cobo to the city. However, he never returned to work for Burroughs, and ran for and was elected Detroit City Treasurer in 1935.
Albert Cobo served as City Treasurer of Detroit for seven terms before first running for the mayor's office in 1949. He won the mayor's race, and was elected twice more (the third time for four years). He declined to seek a fourth term.
Cobo served as president of the American Municipal Association and a trustee of the United States Conference of Mayors
United States Conference of Mayors
United States Conference of Mayors, sometimes referred to as the United States Council of Mayors, is the official non-partisan organization for cities with populations of 30,000 or more. The cities are each represented by their mayor or other chief elected official...
.
Cobo ran on the Republican ticket in 1956 for governor of Michigan
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
, but was handily beaten by G. Mennen Williams
G. Mennen Williams
Gerhard Mennen "Soapy" Williams, , was a politician from the US state of Michigan. An heir to a personal grooming products fortune, he was known as "Soapy," and wore a trademark green bow tie with white polka dots....
, his first loss after ten successful city-wide campaigns.
Cobo died of a heart attack on September 12, 1957, just months before his last term in office would have ended. Cobo Center (formerly Cobo Hall) is named in his honor. He is interred at Woodlawn Cemetery
Woodlawn Cemetery (Detroit, Michigan)
Woodlawn Cemetery is a cemetery located at 19975 Woodward Avenue, across from the Michigan State Fairgrounds, between 7 Mile Road and 8 Mile Road, in Detroit, Michigan. It is one of the area's most well-known cemeteries.-History:...
.