John Francis Dodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Francis Dodge
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Dodge, c. 1920
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| Born | October 25, 1864 Niles, Michigan, U.S.
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| Died | January 14, 1920 (aged 55) New York City, U.S.
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| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery (Detroit, Michigan, U.S.) |
| Known for | Founding Dodge Brothers Company which became present-day Dodge |
| Political party | Republican |
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| Relatives | Horace Elgin Dodge (brother) |
John Francis Dodge (born October 25, 1864 – died January 14, 1920) was an American pioneer in making cars. He was also a co-founder of the Dodge Brothers Company.
Contents
John Dodge's Early Life
John Dodge was born in Niles, Michigan. His father owned a foundry, which is a place where metal is melted and shaped. John and his younger brother, Horace, were always together, both as kids and as adults.
In 1886, the Dodge family moved to Detroit. There, John and Horace started working at a factory that made boilers. Later, in 1894, they worked as machinists in Canada. A machinist is someone who operates machines to make parts.
John was good at sales and managing, while Horace was a very skilled mechanic. Horace even invented and patented a special dirt-proof ball bearing. In 1897, the brothers used this invention to start a business making bicycles with another investor.
Starting Their Own Business
After a few years, they sold their bicycle business. In 1900, they used the money to open their own machine shop in Detroit. In their first year, they started making parts for the growing car industry.
In 1902, the Dodge brothers got a big contract to build transmissions for the Olds Motor Vehicle Company. They quickly became known for making high-quality parts.
The next year, they turned down another contract from Olds. Instead, they decided to build engines for Henry Ford's new company, the Ford Motor Company. This deal also gave them a share in Ford's business. By 1910, John and Horace were so successful that they built a huge new factory in Hamtramck, Michigan.
Building the Dodge Car Company
For ten years, from 1903 to 1913, the Dodge brothers' company was a main supplier for Ford Motor Company. During this time, John Dodge also worked as the vice president of Ford.
In 1913, John left Ford. In 1914, he and Horace started their own company, Dodge Brothers. They wanted to make their own cars. They began by building motor trucks for the United States military as World War I was starting.
In October 1917, they produced their first car for the public. After the war ended, their company made and sold both cars and trucks. John Dodge was recognized for his contributions to the car industry and was added to the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1997. He was also involved in Republican Party politics in Michigan.
John Dodge's Family Life
John Dodge was one of several children. His parents were Daniel Rugg Dodge and Maria Duval Casto. He had an older full sister, Della, and older half-siblings, Charles and Laura, from his father's first marriage.
John Dodge married Canadian Ivy Hawkins in 1892. They had three children:
- Winifred (born 1894)
- Isabel Cleves (born 1896)
- John Duval Dodge (born 1898)
After Ivy passed away, John married Isabelle Smith in 1902. They later divorced. Soon after, John married his secretary, Matilda Rausch (born 1883). John and Matilda had three more children:
- Frances Matilda (born 1914)
- Daniel George (born 1917)
- Anna Margaret (born 1919)
In 1908, John and Matilda bought land for Meadow Brook Farms near Rochester, Michigan. Their daughter Frances loved horses and later became famous for her horse breeding farms. Another daughter, Isabel, also had a successful horse racing stable.
After John's death, Matilda married Alfred Wilson. They built the beautiful Meadow Brook Hall on their estate.
Death and Lasting Impact
John and Horace Dodge both became sick with influenza and pneumonia in New York City during the 1918 flu pandemic. John passed away on January 14, 1920, at the age of 55. He was buried in a special family mausoleum in Detroit's Woodlawn Cemetery.
Horace, his brother, died later that same year. In 1925, their wives sold the Dodge Brothers car business for a large sum of money. Sadly, John's youngest daughter, Anna Margaret, died young. His son Daniel also passed away at a young age.
After John's death, his wife Matilda married Alfred Wilson. She later became Lieutenant Governor of Michigan for a short time in 1940.
In 1957, Matilda and Alfred Wilson gave their large Meadow Brook Farm, including Meadow Brook Hall, to Michigan State University. This gift helped to create a new university campus, which in 1963 became Oakland University.
