Peter E. Martin
Encyclopedia
Peter Edmund Martin (born Wallaceburg, Ontario
1882, died Detroit, Michigan
, 1944) was a leading early production executive of the Ford Motor Company
.
Peter E. Martin was hired by close Henry Ford
associate C. Harold Wills on December 15, 1903, and at that time was the fifth employee hired.
He was placed in charge of the Assembly Department at the Piquette Plant
in January 1906. On October 17, 1906, when Walter E. Flanders was manager of Manufacturing, Peter was promoted to assistant to Thomas S. Walburn in active charge of all manufacturing departments. In January, 1907 he became superintendent under Mr. Walburn.
On April 21, 1908 Walter Flanders resigned. Henry Ford
called Martin and Charles E. Sorensen
into his office and told Martin and Sorensen to go out and run the plant (Piquette Plant
), Martin as plant superintendent and Sorensen as assistant superintendent. This began a close association between Martin and Sorensen that lasted over 30 years; Sorensen was Martin's second in command at the Highland Park Plant
and at the Rouge.
According to an organization chart dated November 1, 1919 Peter E. Martin was General Superintendent. According to Charles E. Sorensen
, in 1920 Peter E. Martin was plant superintendent at the Rouge Plant where they both practically lived at the plant. On December 24, 1924 Peter was named Vice President, in charge of Manufacturing.
On May 5, 1926 Peter offered to Mr. Henry Ford and Mr. Edsel Ford his resignation as First Vice President of the Ford Motor Company. His reason was the belief it would result in better coordination of the executives and the officials of the company. His resignation was NOT accepted.
On May 31, 1929 Peter signed a contract between Ford Motor Company and the Supreme council of National Economy of the U. S.S.R. for the purpose of building tractors in Russia. Charles Sorensen was a witness.
According to “Detroit Saturday Night, June 15, 1935” Peter E. Martin was in charge of the Rouge plant.
Time magazine reported in its January 18, 1937 issue that Henry Ford drew no salary, while son Edsel's $100,378 was topped by Ford's Vice President Peter. E. Martin's $128,008 and Charles Sorensen's $115,100. Then in 1939 Time reported Edsel at $146,056, Peter E. Martin at $171,465 and Charles Sorensen at $166,071. Also it was reported that Ford Motor Company
had only three company board of directors, Henry Ford
, son Edsel Ford
and Vice President Peter E Martin.
By 1940 according to Nevins and Hill, Decline and Rebirth p242, Henry Ford listened only to Sorensen, P.E. Martin and Harry Bennett. Edsel, of course would get a hearing.
On July 17, 1941 Peter E. Martin resigned for health reasons ,and the resignation led to Charles Sorensen being named as his replacement. This was the first time Sorensen held an office of the Ford Motor Company. Notably, neither man was known to have complained of the other in over 30 years; however the more outgoing Sorensen became quite famous while Martin is little known.
Wallaceburg, Ontario
Wallaceburg is an unincorporated community and town located in the municipality of Chatham-Kent in Southern Ontario, Canada. Originally a small settlement, it was recognized for its significant contribution to the lumber and boat building industries and strategic location along the banks of the...
1882, died Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, 1944) was a leading early production executive of the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
.
Peter E. Martin was hired by close Henry Ford
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
associate C. Harold Wills on December 15, 1903, and at that time was the fifth employee hired.
He was placed in charge of the Assembly Department at the Piquette Plant
Piquette Plant
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is located at 411 Piquette Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, within the Piquette Avenue Industrial Historic District. It was the second home of Ford Motor Company automobile production...
in January 1906. On October 17, 1906, when Walter E. Flanders was manager of Manufacturing, Peter was promoted to assistant to Thomas S. Walburn in active charge of all manufacturing departments. In January, 1907 he became superintendent under Mr. Walburn.
On April 21, 1908 Walter Flanders resigned. Henry Ford
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
called Martin and Charles E. Sorensen
Charles E. Sorensen
Charles Emil Sorensen was a Danish-American principal of the Ford Motor Company during its first four decades. Like most other managers at Ford during those decades, he did not have an official job title, but he served functionally as a patternmaker, foundry engineer, mechanical engineer,...
into his office and told Martin and Sorensen to go out and run the plant (Piquette Plant
Piquette Plant
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is located at 411 Piquette Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, within the Piquette Avenue Industrial Historic District. It was the second home of Ford Motor Company automobile production...
), Martin as plant superintendent and Sorensen as assistant superintendent. This began a close association between Martin and Sorensen that lasted over 30 years; Sorensen was Martin's second in command at the Highland Park Plant
Highland Park Ford Plant
The Highland Park Ford Plant is a former factory located in Highland Park, Michigan at 91 Manchester Avenue . The second production facility for the Model T automobile, it became a National Historic Landmark in 1978.-Description:...
and at the Rouge.
According to an organization chart dated November 1, 1919 Peter E. Martin was General Superintendent. According to Charles E. Sorensen
Charles E. Sorensen
Charles Emil Sorensen was a Danish-American principal of the Ford Motor Company during its first four decades. Like most other managers at Ford during those decades, he did not have an official job title, but he served functionally as a patternmaker, foundry engineer, mechanical engineer,...
, in 1920 Peter E. Martin was plant superintendent at the Rouge Plant where they both practically lived at the plant. On December 24, 1924 Peter was named Vice President, in charge of Manufacturing.
On May 5, 1926 Peter offered to Mr. Henry Ford and Mr. Edsel Ford his resignation as First Vice President of the Ford Motor Company. His reason was the belief it would result in better coordination of the executives and the officials of the company. His resignation was NOT accepted.
On May 31, 1929 Peter signed a contract between Ford Motor Company and the Supreme council of National Economy of the U. S.S.R. for the purpose of building tractors in Russia. Charles Sorensen was a witness.
According to “Detroit Saturday Night, June 15, 1935” Peter E. Martin was in charge of the Rouge plant.
Time magazine reported in its January 18, 1937 issue that Henry Ford drew no salary, while son Edsel's $100,378 was topped by Ford's Vice President Peter. E. Martin's $128,008 and Charles Sorensen's $115,100. Then in 1939 Time reported Edsel at $146,056, Peter E. Martin at $171,465 and Charles Sorensen at $166,071. Also it was reported that Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
had only three company board of directors, Henry Ford
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
, son Edsel Ford
Edsel Ford
Edsel Bryant Ford , son of Henry Ford, was born in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He was president of Ford Motor Company from 1919 until his death in 1943.-Life and career:...
and Vice President Peter E Martin.
By 1940 according to Nevins and Hill, Decline and Rebirth p242, Henry Ford listened only to Sorensen, P.E. Martin and Harry Bennett. Edsel, of course would get a hearing.
On July 17, 1941 Peter E. Martin resigned for health reasons ,and the resignation led to Charles Sorensen being named as his replacement. This was the first time Sorensen held an office of the Ford Motor Company. Notably, neither man was known to have complained of the other in over 30 years; however the more outgoing Sorensen became quite famous while Martin is little known.