October 1902 letter, A.Y. Malcomson to Henry Ford
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2025 8:30 am
This letter (courtesy of Benson Library, The Henry Ford, all rights apply), sent to Henry Ford by his new partner, Alexander Y. Malcomson, dated October 30, 1902. The two men had recently formed a partnership to produce automobiles based on Henry Fords design.
The letter references two other men who will also shape Ford history for years to come, C.H. Wills, already an assistant to Ford, and James Couzens, destined to be the future CFO of Ford Motor Co., and at the time of this letter, an employee of Malcomson. The letter demonstrates a few things. Malcomson is on the road, writing from Cleveland, conducting his large and sprawling coal business, yet intimately involved along with Henry Ford in the new automobile enterprise. It also demonstrates a cordial, even warm exchange between the two men, in my opinion.
The letter references two other men who will also shape Ford history for years to come, C.H. Wills, already an assistant to Ford, and James Couzens, destined to be the future CFO of Ford Motor Co., and at the time of this letter, an employee of Malcomson. The letter demonstrates a few things. Malcomson is on the road, writing from Cleveland, conducting his large and sprawling coal business, yet intimately involved along with Henry Ford in the new automobile enterprise. It also demonstrates a cordial, even warm exchange between the two men, in my opinion.