From 1927 to 1929, Clyde M. Ford served as the first mayor of the old City of Dearborn before its consolidation with Fordson in 1929. He then defeated Floyd Yinger, mayor of Fordson, in the mayoral race to become the first mayor of the new consolidated City of Dearborn. Clyde was a cousin of Henry Ford, and before becoming mayor, Clyde had a career as a car and tractor salesman at his father’s Ford Dealership. The business, which he would go on to own in 1920, was West Dearborn’s first Ford dealership. This did not help him in 1935 as Ford lost reelection by only placing third in the mayoral primary. Ford’s loss was the only time in Dearborn History that an incumbent mayor lost reelection. The campaign of his chief opponent, John Carey, singled out Ford as personally responsible for the existence of alleged disorderly behavior and gambling houses in the eastern and southern parts of the city. Furthermore, Ford Motor Company throwing its resources behind John Carey helps explain Ford’s loss. After losing the election as mayor, Clyde also served as President of the City Council, City controller, and on the Board of Assessors.
This employee token, c. 1930s, is pressed aluminium with a stylized capital “F” on obverse, “Clyde M. Ford, Dearborn, MI, No 17”.
Abrasions on rim, light oxidation overall. c. 1929. Ford, also known as Clyde Ford, was elected mayor in 1929 and left office in 1935.
Dearborn Historical Museum 