It’s interesting to attempt to understand the relationships and dynamics of the men who created Ford Motor Co. Other than Henry Ford himself and maybe CFO James Couzens, none on the board were more critical to the initial success of the company than the Dodge brothers and Alexander Malcomson. Malcomson along with Ford held the majority of ownership, with an equal 25 1/2% of shares. The Dodges owned a combined 10%, and were crucial in producing the chassis of the two cylinder models A, C and F.
In this 1917 article covering the Dodges suit against Ford, John Dodge, pressed on why he voted against a motion by Malcomson for a dividend in November 1903, said “I guess I did that because I didn’t like Malcomson.”
“The courtroom laughed merrily.”
Excerpt from the 1903 Board of Directors meeting:
