First Car Invoice

This Dodge Touring car was sold for $1050.00 to Henry C. Brown and signed for by Edgar Reed. The logos on the invoice are the original Dodge Brothers Motor Cars and Oldsmobile Sales Company logos. The fact that the phone number was just “67” gives a real feeling of how different life was back then.

original Dodge Brothers invoice

Ricketts Garage “Auto Hire” Billhead, 1914

Reed Brothers Dodge evolved out of the Rockville Garage. Shown below, is Ricketts’ Rockville Garage “Automobiles for Hire” and “New & Second Hand Cars for Sale” billhead receipt. The receipt, dated May 7, 1914 is made out to W.W. Welsh (William Wallace Welsh) and is signed for by Lee Ricketts. Leonidas “Lee” Ricketts and sons, Raymond, Emory, and Thomas Alva (who went by “Alva”) ran the local Overland Agency at the Veirs Mill Road/Rockville Pike location from 1914-1915.

Ricketts’ Garage “Auto Hire” Billhead, May 7, 1914

The Overland Agency was short-lived: by July of 1915, Lewis Reed and brothers Robert L. and Griffith Warfield established Rockville Garage after acquiring the building from the Ricketts family. An employee of Rockville Garage in 1915, Lewis Reed purchased a one-third interest from the Warfield brothers in January 1916. Three years later, the Warfield’s conveyed the balance of the property and Lewis became sole owner. In August of 1919, Lewis Reed’s brother Edgar joined the business, and the name of the company was changed to Reed Brothers Dodge.

6 responses to “First Car Invoice”

  1. Mike Brewer's avatar
    Mike Brewer says :

    I found your site while researching Dodge Brothers history. I recently found out my Great Grandfather was a Dodge Bros dealer in central Illinois beginning in 1916. I have the original Dealer Agreement between he and the Dodge Bros corporation. Do you know if it has any monetary value and/or historical significance? Thanks

    Reply
    • Reed Brothers's avatar
      Reed Brothers says :

      To my knowledge, a Dodge Brothers dealer agreement has no monetary value. It would, however, make a wonderful family keepsake to share with future generations that would provide them a glimpse of the past, and that your great grandfather played an important part of automotive history. Thank you for visiting our blog!

      Reply
  2. ROGER O SCHNEIDER's avatar
    ROGER O SCHNEIDER says :

    I SEE THE DEALER ALSO SOLD HUDSON.I HAVE AN OLD HUDSON CAR FRAME. IT HAS FRONT FENDER BRACKETS ,SPRINGS, BATTERY BOX IN BACK OF FRAME,FRONT WHEELS WERE WOOD SPOKE BUT THEY ARE DECAYED. ALSO 2 REARS, ONE WITH STEEL SPOKES, SMALL HUBS SAY HUDSON SIX. ETC.WOULD YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS? IF SO I WOULD APPRECIATE.

    Reply
    • Reed Brothers's avatar
      Reed Brothers says :

      Hi Roger,

      I really wish I could help you, but unfortunately, I do not have any information regarding your question. Thanks for taking the time to visit and good luck in your search.

      Best Regards,
      Jeanne

      Reply
  3. Gayle's avatar
    Gayle says :

    My grandfather Charlie Ashdown told his family he put the first Dodge car together with the brothers. My father now deceased said his Father received a new Dodge car ( I think every 2 yrs) My grandfather was Australian and my Dad said that these cars would turn up out west in the middle of Western Australia fir him. The family home burnt down a long time ago so we have no records just a couple when he was working in Michigan for Ford. I’m not sure you can help with this but if you know of any of this history I would love to see it

    Reply
    • Reed Brothers's avatar
      Reed Brothers says :

      Hello Gayle, Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to share your family’s story. Your grandfather’s association with the Dodge Brothers is wonderful! I’m sorry I can’t help you out with any further historical information. However, if you do happen to come across anything more about your grandfather’s place in history I would love to know!

      Sincerely and wishing you good health,
      Jeanne

      Reply

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