cncodding

Charles Nelson Codding was born in Collinsville, Connecticut, in 1866 and is descended from those who arrived on the US shores as early as 1633. Charles attended Phillips Academy and went on to graduate with a law degree from Yale. Codding was a lawyer and a politician, having been elected to the State Assembly. He was also the chairman of the Union County Republican Organization. He opposed the change of Westfield to the City form of government, which was favored by rival John Kean, Jr., another notable Westfield resident. Kean played a major role in the 1901 change to Town government. Codding was twice elected to the position of Surrogate in Westfield and acquired two capable junior partners in William Beard and Paul Q. Oliver. For a quarter century, he was Westfield’s GOP leader.

Codding was also president and athletic director of the Westfield Athletic Club and president of the Central Jersey Baseball League. History has recorded that Codding convinced his friend, the wealthy and popular “Uncle” Al Drake to build a baseball park known as Drake Park, located at Park Avenue, Summit Avenue, Washington Street, and the Boulevard. Drake Park opened in 1890 and hosted local teams, from Somerville, Plainfield, and Elizabeth. The teams were comprised mainly of old major league players or young players trying to get a start in the game. Although considered part of a professional league, it was not a profitable venture, despite reasonably good attendance. The teams did include some well-known ball players, including Jack Warner, Jack Sharrott, and Jack O’Neil. Eventually, Drake Park was closed and replaced by another sport arena built in the newly acquired area known today as Gary Kehler Stadium.