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Article: Harry Bennett: Henry Ford's chief thug targets UAW, later threatens family peace.(Ford 100)
- Article from:
- Automotive News
- Article date:
- June 15, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Crain Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Amy Wilson
Hired by Henry Ford after a New York street fight, Harry Bennett rose to prominence as perhaps America's most famous corporate thug.
Bennett, a former boxer and ex-Navy sailor, quickly established himself as the auto tycoon's right-hand man after joining Ford Motor Co. in 1916. Until his ouster in 1945 by Ford's grandson, Henry II, Bennett carried out Henry Ford's orders and likely some of his own making, often using violence and even underworld connections.
Spying, firings and beatings were Bennett's game. And he excelled at it.
Other than Henry Ford's wife, Clara, Bennett was perhaps the person closest to the auto ...