Family Tree Tuesday – Henry Ford

Henry Ford was an American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company. By implementing the assembly line technique of mass production, Ford revolutionized the automobile industry. This new business technique was called “Fordism,” the mass production of inexpensive goods in conjunction with high wages for workers. Ford would become one of the richest men in the world.

Ford was born on July 30, 1863 on a family farm in Michigan to William Ford and Mary Litogot and was the first of six children.

In 1888, Ford married Clara ala Bryant and they had one son, Edsel Ford. Edsel was groomed to take over the family automobile business. He served as the president of the Ford Motor Company from 1919 until his death in 1943. After his death, his father resumed the role of president. During his lifetime, Edsel proved to be a significant art benefactor to Detroit, Michigan, donating his collection of early African art to the Detroit Institute of Arts’s African art collection, to whom his family continues to make contributions.

Each of Ford’s three grandsons entered the family business. In 1945, Ford’s grandson, Henry Ford, II became president of the company. He is credited with rescuing the company after World War II. His youngest grandson, William Ford, Sr. would go on to marry Martha Firestone, granddaughter of Harvey Firestone, the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, one of the first global makers of automobile tires. And today, many of Henry Ford’s great grandchildren continue to work for the family business.

Check out Henry Ford’s family tree and see how you’re related!