Business & brands / Politics / Auto industry
James Couzens
1872–1936
· Ford Motor Company co-founder and business manager, mayor of Detroit, U.S. senator
Canadian-born railroad clerk who became Ford's hard-driving business manager, then mayor of Detroit and a U.S. senator.
- Born
Chatham, Ontario, Canada- Died
Detroit, Michigan
aged 64- Birth name
- James Joseph Couzens
- Also known as
- James J. Couzens
- Detroit years
- 1890–1936
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Couzens moved to Detroit in 1890 and checked railroad cars for the Michigan Central before becoming a clerk for coal dealer Alexander Malcomson, Henry Ford's first backer. He invested his savings in the new Ford Motor Company in 1903 and ran its business side: sales, dealer networks, advertising and finance. He is often credited with pushing the $5 workday in 1914. After quarreling with Ford he quit in 1915 and later sold his shares for about $30 million. He turned to public service as Detroit's street railway commissioner and police commissioner, and as mayor from 1919 to 1922 he brought the streetcar system under city ownership. Appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1922, he served until his death. He gave $10 million to create the Children's Fund of Michigan, which paid for health and dental care for poor children. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Highlights
- Original Ford Motor Company investor and general manager, 1903–1915
- Mayor of Detroit, 1919–1922
- Created the municipally owned Detroit Street Railways
- U.S. senator from Michigan, 1922–1936
- Founded the Children's Fund of Michigan with $10 million
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Buried here · 1936
Woodlawn Cemetery
He is buried in this Woodward Avenue cemetery, resting place of many Detroit auto pioneers.
Worked here · 1904–1910
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Ford's headquarters and plant during his years as general manager; today a museum.
Memorial
James Couzens Highway
In 1937 the city council, led by his son Mayor Frank Couzens, renamed part of Northwestern Highway in his honor.