The idea of a Cody Family Association was first suggested by Colonel William Frederick Cody, who in the course of his public life, met many persons bearing the Cody surname who claimed relationship to him. To his niece, Mrs. Mary Jester Allen, he said: “You can scarcely count the cousins I have found,” and he then seriously suggested her doing something towards forming an association of those bearing the surname Cody. In talking this over with a cousin, Luther Morrill Cody, (then of Boston, Mass., and now of Frostproof, Fla.) whom she knew to have an interest in genealogy,    she    readily   enlisted   his    interest    in    such    an    undertaking.    He

reminded her, however, that there were doubtless many bearing the surname Cody who were not of the same genealogical family, and that little would be gained if guided only by this surname. He accordingly suggested that the idea be worked out by first enlisting the interest of those Codys whom they knew to be their Cody kinsfolk and to have these form a nucleus through which further genealogical relationship could be traced, and thus gradually the membership could be extended. To carry out this suggestion, letters were sent by Luther to those Codys whom he knew to be related to him. The response was on the whole favorable, and a number replied with a contribution toward the initial expense of such an undertaking. Among those thus helpful were Mrs. Lindus Cody (1843-1928) and two of her sons, Henry B. Cody and Arthur Philip Cody (all of Cleveland, Ohio, at that time); two brothers of Luther, Sherwin and Richard (of Boston); Arthur B. Cody (1860-1928) and his son Hiram (then of Chicago). Later a very helpful service toward furthering the Association was rendered by Francis A. Cody (Vernon, N.Y.) and by Harry Arthur Cody, of Ripon, Wisconsin. Luther then proposed that at some convenient place a meeting be held of those who had shown interest. Since the Chicago Cody families had been especially helpful in furthering the work of James L. Chapman (whose efforts in behalf of a Cody genealogy have been elsewhere presented) it was suggested that Chicago be chosen for the place of this meeting, and accordingly there (at the Drake Hotel) October 27th., 1925, there gathered some twenty members of our Cody family. At this meeting a permanent organization was proposed and a constitution and by-laws were drawn up and approved. The following officers for the ensuing year were appointed: President, Arthur B. Cody (1860-1928), of Chicago; for Vice-President, Harry B. Cody, of Cleveland; Secretary and Treasurer, Luther M. Cody, then of Boston. A historical board was proposed of which Luther M. Cody should serve as Chairman. Also, well considered was a project presented by Mrs. Mary Jester Allen (whose mother was Helen Cody Jester Wetmore, sister of Colonel William F. Cody) to be known as “The Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum,” and on this a board proposed of which Mrs. Allen should be Chairman.
       The early work of organization among the Canadian branches of our family was ably undertaken by the late Arthur J. Cody, of London, Ontario, (5th. gen. branch of Harrison Cody) and Dr. William Macpherson Cody, of Hamilton, Ontario, (5th. gen. branch of Stephen Cody). Among the many who have generously contributed in a financial way since our organization are the late Eugene Cody Stacy (5th. gen. branch of Alice Cody Markle), Harvey Purdy Cody, of Hanford, California (5th. gen. branch of Milo Kemp Cody), and the Rev. Canon Henry John Cody, of Toronto, Ontario (5th. gen. branch of John Cody, 1821).
       Since organization a yearly meeting of this Cody Family Association has been held at places chosen from year to year. While the number attending these gatherings has varied, yet on the whole the attendance has gradually increased, amounting in recent years to some hundred or more. This increasing attendance speaks not only for our increasing membership in the Association, but also for the happy occasion which the meeting together of these genealogically related Codys has proved to be from the first. It might prove interesting to our readers to quote below the places of meeting and attendance of the yearly gatherings:

Year

President

Place

Attendance

1925 . . . .	Arthur Buck Cody   . . . . . . . . .	Chicago, Illinois   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	20
1926 . . . .	Harry Bissell Cody   . . . . . . . . .	Cleveland, Ohio  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	40
1927 . . . .	Francis Addison Cody   . . . . . .	Detroit, Michigan   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	27
1928 . . . .	Ernest William Cody  . . . . . . . .	Toronto, Ontario  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	42
1929 . . . .	Alvin Nelson Cody  . . . . . . . . .	Erie, Pennsylvania   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	52
1930 . . . .	Charles Paxton Cody   . . . . . . .	Salem, Massachusetts   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	25
1931 . . . .	William Cody Bradford  . . . . . .	Buffalo, New York   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	30
1933 . . . .	Richard Aldus Cody  . . . . . . . .	Cody, Wyoming   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	25
1934 . . . .	Richard Aldus Cody  . . . . . . . .	Cleveland, Ohio   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	60
1935 . . . .	Richard Aldus Cody  . . . . . . . .	Oneida, New York   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	45
1936 . . . .	Harvey Purdy Cody   . . . . . . . .	Marietta, Ohio   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	164
1937 . . . .	Harvey Purdy Cody   . . . . . . . .	Scranton, Pennsylvania   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	50
1938 . . . .	Luther Morrill Cody   . . . . . . . .	Hanford, California   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	70
1939 . . . .	Luther Morrill Cody   . . . . . . . .	Newmarket, Ontario   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	102
1940 . . . .	Frederick Carey Cody   . . . . . .	Harding, Illinois   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	142
1941 . . . .	Lynn Ray Cody  . . . . . . . . . . . .	Beverly, Massachusetts   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	..

       For a number of years (1925 to 1931) Luther M. Cody served ably as the Secretary-Treasurer of this Association and what he accomplished for its success deserves words of praise. Since Luther resigned, our Secretary-Treasurer has been Ernest William Cody, of London, Ontario. His devoted service to the Association with its ever increasing membership and interests deserves our gratitude and highest commendation. An important part of that service has been the interesting and inspiring bulletins which he has from time to time sent to the membership. Also should be mentioned his regular attendance at the yearly gathering of the Association where his presence has meant so much for the success of these.
       It may be timely to consider here what has been done by us, as an organization, up to the present time, and some of the things proposed for the future. Article III of our Constitution states: “The object of this organization shall be to preserve the records, relics and family identity of this old Colonial American family, and to promote its unity and friendly relationship.”
       “Records”—We have through the untiring efforts of our officers published four Cody Family directories; the compiling of these directories has been a tremendous task, but they are permanent and for our clan forever; we have co-ordinated our families, over six thousand descendants, we have published our bulletins, and maintained a contact among our far-flung family units. Our detailed genealogy is in the course of preparation; our vital records are in excellent order.
       “Relics”—This subject is closely connected with the Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum at Cody, Wyoming, under the directorship of Mrs. Mary Jester Allen, Chairman of the Cody Family Memorial Board (see Appendix E). Mrs. Allen has appealed to us for family relics for the Museum and we should give this matter our thoughtful attention.
       “Our Family Identity”—The preserving of our records and our relics are the most important of our activities to preserve our identity as a family. To this recently has been added the Cody Family Photograph Album in the custody of Our present President, Frederick C. Cody, of Cleveland, Ohio.
       “Unity and Friendly Relationship”—For this purpose we hold our annual reunions, and by their increasing attendance their purpose is being fulfilled.

       We, therefore, find that the purpose of our organization, as stated above, has been carried out and under the most trying conditions.
       The question may be asked: “How is the Cody Family, as an organization financed?” Solely by the voluntary contribution of one dollar annual dues; this is our only income, the services of our workers are given gratis. This year double dues were asked because of the heavy cost of publication of this book; there will be no appeal for dues in 1942.