Businesswoman. The wife of Industrialist Henry Ford I, she was born in Greenfield Township, Michigan. She married Henry Ford on April 11, 1888, in her parents' home, and in November 1893, their only child Edsel was born. Mr. Ford related, "I called her 'the Believer'," because Mrs. Ford was the only one who believed in his idea of a Motor Carriage". On December 25, 1915, Clara Ford moved into their 15th and final home with her son Edsel, called Fair Lane, while Mr. Ford didn't arrive until January 1916, due to coming back from his Peace Ship Excursion from Europe. The Fair Lane Mansion had 56 rooms with a Bowling Alley, Billiard Room and Pool, all made to keep their son Edsel from drinking and smoking, of which they did not approve. In 1941, with the strikes of the United Auto Workers shutting down Ford Plants, Mrs. Ford put her foot down and told Mr. Ford, "I am leaving you after fifty years, if you do not support our son Edsel, and sign off on the Union Contracts." Mr. Ford relented and Ford Motor Company signed one of the most generous contracts ever given by an auto company. Mr. Ford stated, "Well, what could I do." When their grandchildren stayed over, it happened every weekend that they came. Including enjoying her grandchildren, she had prized peonies, which were featured in a 1930s magazine. She died on September 29, 1950 at Henry Ford Hospital.
Businesswoman. The wife of Industrialist Henry Ford I, she was born in Greenfield Township, Michigan. She married Henry Ford on April 11, 1888, in her parents' home, and in November 1893, their only child Edsel was born. Mr. Ford related, "I called her 'the Believer'," because Mrs. Ford was the only one who believed in his idea of a Motor Carriage". On December 25, 1915, Clara Ford moved into their 15th and final home with her son Edsel, called Fair Lane, while Mr. Ford didn't arrive until January 1916, due to coming back from his Peace Ship Excursion from Europe. The Fair Lane Mansion had 56 rooms with a Bowling Alley, Billiard Room and Pool, all made to keep their son Edsel from drinking and smoking, of which they did not approve. In 1941, with the strikes of the United Auto Workers shutting down Ford Plants, Mrs. Ford put her foot down and told Mr. Ford, "I am leaving you after fifty years, if you do not support our son Edsel, and sign off on the Union Contracts." Mr. Ford relented and Ford Motor Company signed one of the most generous contracts ever given by an auto company. Mr. Ford stated, "Well, what could I do." When their grandchildren stayed over, it happened every weekend that they came. Including enjoying her grandchildren, she had prized peonies, which were featured in a 1930s magazine. She died on September 29, 1950 at Henry Ford Hospital.
Bio by: Joel Hurley
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