Senator Couzens , man who financed Henry Ford , arrives for economic conference . Senator James Couzens , the man who grew to great wealth with Henry Ford has arrived in London for the Economic Conference as the only Republican member of the American delegation . Mr Couzens who was born a British subject at Chatham , Ontario , was a lumber salesman when he became friendly with Henry Ford , then a young mechanic . Ford proposed a partnership to build a ' horseless carriage ' and Couzens borrowed less than a hundred pounds from his sister to finance Ford . A few years ago when Couzens sold his interests in the Ford motor company , he received millions of pounds and was rated as one of the five richest men in America . Photo shows Senator James Couzens and his wife outside their hotel in London . 14 June 1933