MTFCA Forum

A fellow volunteer at our local museum told me her 'family folklore' said that great-uncle Bill was Henry Ford's chauffeur. She doesn't have much detail, but he would likely been born 1870 to 1880 and emigrated to US, married an American and lived in Detroit. Be interesting to know if his name turns up anywhere.

Would have to have some documentation to affirm him as Ford's personal chauffeur.

Likely several claim to have held that job, and probably did over the many years. A John W. Burke was interviewed in 1956 by New York Times, and claimed to be the New York chauffeur for the Ford family for 42 years, and drove Henry around. Then a Will Donalson in Detroit was claimed by Douglas Brinkley in his 2003 book "Wheels for the World" to be Henry's chauffeur.

The most documented personal chauffeur is this fellow:

Robert Rankin

Robert Rankin was a professional chauffeur in the Detroit area starting in 1919. He became Mrs. Ford's chauffeur in 1938, and from 1945 drove for both Mr. and Mrs. Ford. His recollections are a rich vein of anecdotal material reflecting the personalities and thinking of both Henry and Clara Ford. He has also prepared an account of the trip taken by Henry Ford on the last day of his life.

Ford Motor Company. Archives October 1951

I know I read a little scandal was associated with Henry’s drivers. As I recall Henry had a mistress and to avoid an open scandal he employed her husband as a driver. I know I read this somewhere, it’s beyond my skill to make it up, so it must be somewhere. Anyone with a better memory?

Tony, Ray Dahlinger came up in the “help with a mystery man? “ thread below. He was married to Henry’s secretary/mistress.

Quit often family history gets exaggerated over time. In any case I did find an article that William Braybrook was a vice-president of the Michigan Chauffeur's Association in 1910. So the possibility exists since Ford was based in Michigan at that time. William may have chauffeured Henry Ford one or more times, but there is no information indicating that he was his personal chauffeur
From the Ford Motor Company. Archives
Robert Rankin was a professional chauffeur in the Detroit area starting in 1919. He became Mrs. Ford's chauffeur in 1938, and from 1945 drove for both Mr. and Mrs. Ford. His recollections are a rich vein of anecdotal material reflecting the personalities and thinking of both Henry and Clara Ford. He has also prepared an account of the trip taken by Henry Ford on the last day of his life.

This 1908 Ford Times cover (courtesy of THF, all rights apply) included a photo from the Piquette yard showing a Model N with Model K in the background. The Model K has MI license plate 1212, which was the number Ford used (Reminiscences) as their test/dealer number. My guess is this was Henry Ford or James Couzens chauffeur and car as of 1908:


Colorized for a little more detail:

My friend Lizzie will be delighted with William Braybrook as VP of the Michigan Chauffers Association!