June 2003 Pic of the Month Original Twelve Investors of Ford Motor Company
Alexander Y. Malcomson. Detroit’s largest coal dealer, Malcomson became Henry Ford’s partner in 1902. With Malcomson’s money Ford bought machinery and material to develop a prototype of an automobile. This eventually became Ford Motor Company’s first product. In 1906, after a dispute with Henry over the direction of the company, Malcomson sold his stock to Ford for $175,000.	Henry Ford The only mechanic and engineer among the stockholders. When the new Ford Motor Company was founded, the work done and money already spent by Ford and Malcomson was valued at $51,000 ($25,500 each). Thus neither had to put up any more cash to start the company. Ford and James Couzens were the only investors to take an active part in the daily management of the company.	John S. Gray Malcomson’s banker and uncle. Became the first president of Ford Motor Company. He put $10,500 into his nephew’s new automobile venture, but was skeptical about the long term prospects of the car business. Gray died in 1906 and his heirs collected $26,250,000 when Henry Ford bought their stock in 1919.
John W. Anderson (with bow tie) One of Malcomson’s lawyers. Invested $5,000, borrowed from his father. Sold out to Ford in 1919 for $12,500,000.	Horace H. Rackham One of Malcomson’s lawyers. Invested $5,000. Sold out to Ford in 1919 for $12,500,000.	Charles H. Bennett President of the Daisy Air Rifle Company. Invested $5,000. Sold part of his stock to Ford and part to James Couzens in 1907 for a total of $35,000.
John F. Dodge & Horace E. Dodge Owners of one of Detroit’s large machine shops. They were contracted to provide the mechanical parts of the new Ford car—the engine, transmission, frame, and axles. Contributed $10,000 in materials and cash. In 1914 used their Ford Motor Company profits to start their own car company. Sold their Ford stock to Henry Ford in 1919 for $25,000,000.		Vernon C. Fry Malcomson’s cousin. Invested $5,000. Sold his stock to Ford in 1907 for $25,000.
Charles J. Woodall Malcomson’s bookkeeper. Invested $1,000. Sold his stock to Ford in 1906 for $5,000.	James Couzens Malcomson’s clerk. Invested $2,500 ($100 of which was borrowed from his sister Rosetta). Left the design and manufacturing of cars to Ford and concentrated on the sales and financial side of the business. Ford and Couzens were the only investors to take an active part in the daily management of the company. Sold his stock to Ford in 1919 for $29,308,857.90. His sister Rosetta received $262,036.67 for her $100 investment.	Albert Strelow Building contractor who constructed many of Malcomson’s coal yards. Invested $5,000, and owned the building that the new company rented for its factory. Sold his stock to Couzens in 1907 for $25,000.

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