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- Portrait of William Perry, circa 1890 - William Perry and Henry Ford worked together during the winter of 1888-1889, sawing trees for Ford's lumber business. Eventually, Perry became a skilled bricklayer and Ford established Ford Motor Company. When a heart condition prevented Perry from continuing his trade in 1914, Ford rehired him--as Ford Motor Company's first African American employee--to work in the Highland Park Plant powerhouse.
- circa 1890
- Collections - Artifact
Portrait of William Perry, circa 1890
William Perry and Henry Ford worked together during the winter of 1888-1889, sawing trees for Ford's lumber business. Eventually, Perry became a skilled bricklayer and Ford established Ford Motor Company. When a heart condition prevented Perry from continuing his trade in 1914, Ford rehired him--as Ford Motor Company's first African American employee--to work in the Highland Park Plant powerhouse.