James W. Ford

James W. "Jim" Ford (December 22, 1893 – 1957) was an activist and politician, the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Communist Party USA in 1932, 1936, and 1940. A party organizer born in Alabama and living in New York City, Ford was the first African American to run on a presidential ticket in the 20th century.

James W. Ford was born in Pratt City, Alabama on December 22, 1893, the son of Lymon Forsch and his wife. His father, a former resident of Gainesville, Georgia, had come to Alabama in the 1890s to work in the coal mines and steel mills. He worked for 35 years as a coal miner for the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company. James' mother earned additional money for the family as a domestic worker.

Ford got his first job at age 13 working on a railroad track at Enslay, Alabama. He later worked as a blacksmith's helper at a steel plant, a machinist's helper, and as a laborer at a blast furnace. Ford worked his way through high school before attending Fisk University.

A few months before graduation in 1917, Ford enlisted in the U.S. Army in support of the American war effort in World War I. He entered the signal corps in charge of communications for the 86th Brigade of the 92nd Division in France. At the end of the war, Ford was discharged from the Army and returned to civilian life.

...
Wikipedia