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Appendix II: Recollections
- Wayne State University Press
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Appendix II: Recollections The individuals listed here were interviewed during the early 1950s, after the deaths of Henry and Clara Ford. They were asked to provide oral reminiscences of their experiences with Henry and Clara Ford and the Ford Motor Company. The reminiscences were gathered as part of a program conducted under the auspices of the Ford Motor Company. These tape-recorded oral histories have been transcribed and are now on file as Accession 65 in the Archives of Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village. About 250 of the reminiscences are hard-bound copies of typed sheets; the balance are typed but not bound. As noted in the listings, the lengths of the histories vary greatly, from a very few pages to as many as 1,536 in a single history. Ablewhite, H. A member of the Ford Motor Company Sociological Department in 1930; remained with that department until its dissolution in 1948. He was later associated with the Henry Ford Museum. 96 pages. Ahrens, Norman J. Describes operation of the tractor plant 1918-1925; purchasing of iron ore, coal, limestone, and other commodities 1925-1946. He was manager of the Marine Department from 1926 to retirement in 1954. 81 pages. Alexander, P. A. A mine clerk at the Imperial Mine near Michigamme and later at the Blueberry Mine near Negaunee. 18 pages. Alexander, Dr. W. H. Worked for Dr. Roy McClure at Henry Ford Hospital beginning in 1923, transferred to the Ford Iron Mountain plant as physician in 1925. He tells of traveling with Henry Ford and company officials on Upper Michigan trips. 28 pages. Allen, R. T. Worked as a draftsman and tool designer at the Iron Mountain plant, 1921-1952.16 pages. Anderson, Joseph. An employee of Ford Motor Company at Pequaming 1923-1937 and L'Anse 1937-1951, in lumbering and sawmill operations. 49 pages. Apple, Floyd F. Spent twenty-five years working in the powerhouse at Fair Lane after being employed by Ford Motor Company from 1922 to 1925. He tells of powerhouse operations, upkeep of grounds around Fair Lane, and the personalities of the Fords. 42 pages. Archbald, R. S. Worked for Ford as a geologist and mining engineer, carried out exploration for iron ore in Michigan and Minnesota. 12 pages. Avery, Leland. Worked at the Dearborn tractor plant 1916-1924, on the Ford Farms 1924-1926, as watchman at Henry Ford birthplace 1926-1928, and as gateman at Fair Lane 1928-1952.17 pages. 301 Appendix II Backus, A. A. Became secretary to Edsel Ford in 1923, continuing for twentyseven years. He speaks of the relationship between Henry and Edsel Ford, between Edsel and various Ford executives, Henry Bennett's success in protecting Edsel's children, trips with the Edsel Fords, parties at the residence, and Edsel Ford's fatal illness. 20 pages. Bacon, Irving R. Photographer for Ford Motor Company and artist for Henry Ford. 260 pages. (See biography in this work.) Barthel, Oliver E. An automotive pioneer as engineer with Charles B. King in 1885. He met Ford shortly after and relates how Ford and King worked together on automotive problems, each producing his own car. 86 pages. Baxter, William P. Joined the Employment Department of Ford Motor Company at Highland Park in 1913, was transferred to the Medical Department in 1916, and back to Employment in 1921. He was in Labor Relations from 1930 to 1952. 56 pages. Beebe, Faye I. A next-door neighbor and friend of the Ford family. She describes social activities of the two families. 12 pages. Beebe, Howard D. In tractor production 1917-1918. He was associated with the opening of the Cork, Ireland, plant in 1926 and the manufacture of engines at the Rouge 1929-1945. He tells of the reorganization of the company in 1945. 60 pages. Beesley, Wallace G. Employed in various capacities by Ford Motor Company in Upper Michigan, describes camping trips with Henry and Clara Ford, Harvey Firestone, and Thomas Edison. 28 pages. Beh, Joseph C. Sr. Employed first as a timekeeper at Ford Motor Company in 1915 and later as an electrical buyer. He describes Henry Ford's pacifism and provides a character sketch of Ford. 28 pages. Bell, David M. A carriage blacksmith employed at the Edison Illuminating Company under Henry Ford in 1896. He assisted Ford in building his first car. Although later offered a job with Ford, he declined and stayed with Edison until retirement in 1929. 26 pages. Bell, John. A native of Georgia employed as...