Frank Vivian was born in San Francisco, California in 1885. He worked as a plumber, steamfitter, and in construction until 1913 when he joined the San Francisco branch of the Ford Motor Company. Vivian held a number of positions with Ford in California including shipping foreman, superintendent of the assembly plant, head of factory service, and lastly, power engineer at the Richmond plant. In 1915, as head of the Ford exhibit at the Panama-Pacific Exposition, he came in daily contact with Henry and Edsel Ford and other members of the Ford party. From that time on, he fielded personal requests from Henry Ford, including the purchase of antique items for the Edison Institute (now The Henry Ford). During World War II, Vivian personally purchase American flags to place on the combat vehicles that were shipped from the Richmond plant to overseas battlefields. Vivian retired from Ford Motor Company in 1952.
From the description of Frank Vivian papers, 1907-1950 (bulk 1940-1950) (The Henry Ford). WorldCat record id: 70134808
