Henry Ford

Early Years

Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863, on a farm in Dearborn, Michigan. The Ford farm of ninety acres included many different wildlife such as “bobolinks”, foxes, and much more (Harris 7). Like most other farms, the Ford’s had cows, horses, and orchards. Being open to such nature, Henry Ford came to “know and love it” (Harris 7).
In Henry’s younger days, it was usual for farmers to make things they needed. The ford farm had a gristmill, a sawmill, a blacksmith shop, and a weaving machine. As Henry grew older, he was expected to help with the farm work. Henry hated to plow, to plant, and milk cows; all he enjoyed was the machinery.
Henry started school at Scotch Settlement School at the age of seven. Since his mother had previously taught him to read, he was ahead of the class. Henry also had a natural talent in mathematics. Unfortunately, he did poorly in penmanship, and spelling.
Henry’s father’s name was William. Henry was named after William’s brother. William married Mary Litogot O’Hern in 1861; who was Henry’s mother. Mary’s first child died at birth in 1862. Her next pregnancy, and her first born, included the “ born mechanic”, Henry Ford (Collier 21). When Mary ford became pregnant for the ninth time, she became sick and died a few days later. At the time, Henry Ford was twelve. Without his mother, “the house was like a watch without a mainspring” (Harris 10).
Henry spent most of his time with his only friend, Edsel Ruddiman, when he wasn’t taking solitary walks. Henry began his first job in 1880 a little after turning 17 – working for the Michigan Car Company. Although it was a high paying job of $1.10 a day, he soon got fired for quickly solving a problem that embarrassed several employees. Henry’s next job was with the Flower Brothers getting paid $2.50 a week. Since that wasn’t enough, he took on a job at night for 50 cents a night. The Flower Brothers moved on to Detroit Dry Dock Engine Works building ships. Though the steam engine had already been developed, Henry had an interest with the combustion engine.
After two years on his own, he returned to the fair in 1882. He didn’t return to become a farmer as his father had hoped. Henry took on a job at Westi...

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... 93 minutes. By the end of 1913, the Ford Motor Company, was selling over 200,000 cars a year.
As the workers of the Ford Motor Company were pushed to work long hours, Henry made a change. Henry Ford announced they’d be getting paid $5.00 an 8/hr day. This changed the happy life on Edison Avenue. Men literally fought to get a job with Ford Motor Company.
Later Years
Henry Ford entered the war as leading producer of: ambulances, munitions, airplanes, tanks, and submarine chasers. In 1918, Henry unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate. In 1919, Henry retired from Ford Motor Company and Edsel took over. Edsel died in 1943 and Henry had to take over until his death on April 7, 1947, of a fatal stroke.
Other Accomplishments
Henry Ford donated $7.5 million to the Ford Hospital in Detroit. Ford donated $5 million for the museum in Rearborn. Ford also wrote in collaboration with Samuel Crowther: My Life and Work in 1923, Today and Tomorrow in 1926, Moving Forward in 1931, and Edison as I Knew Him in 1930. Though Ford had a major dislike for the Jewish race, he was the most important person in car history.