1940s Personnel

At the time this photo was taken in 1946, Reed Brothers had in their employ eight veterans of World War II.

This picture was taken January 15,1946 when Reed Brothers held its annual dinner at the Hungerford Tavern. Left to right they are: First row – Leo C. Murray, Arthur Watkins, Edgar Reed, Lewis Reed, Lester Wilson, Alfred Fraley. Second row – Raleigh Chinn, Marvin Shultz, Charles Burdette, Lee Langley, Elmer Ward, John Burdette, Aubrey Souders, Raymond Davis, Charles Ramsburg, Edward Brosius, Benjamin Thompson. Third Row – George Waters, Lloyd McElroy, Manning Howard, Guy Merry, Conway Wilson.

Reed Brothers lost eight employees to the draft during World War II, 1941-1945. One former employee, Philip Frank, a member of the Air Corps, was in killed in combat in the South Pacific. 

Other personnel changes related to the war:

• Raleigh S. Chinn of Rockville (Salesman) who started with Reed Brothers in 1920, resigned in 1942 due to lack of automobiles to sell. 

• Edward R. Brosius of Barnesville (Salesman) started with the company in 1938. He, too, resigned in 1942 when cars were unavailable. 

• Guy Merry of Rockville started in 1937 as a mechanic. He entered the armed forces in World War II and served for three years. When he was released, he returned to Reed Brothers. 

• John Burdette of Gaithersburg (gas station attendant) started in 1940, worked for about one year, and then entered the armed services. He served four years during World War II and returned to his old job at Reed Brothers when he was released. 

• Richard C. Burdette, also a mechanic, started in 1941 but left to enter the service. He served two years and then returned to Reed Brothers.

Marvin Riggs Shultz, Sr, Gulf Gas Station Manager, started at Reed Brothers in 1941. In 1965, he became a new car salesman. He stayed with the company for 43 years and holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured employee in Reed Brothers Dodge history, from 1941-1984. 

Ernest Lee Gartner, who married Lewis Reed’s daughter, Mary Jane, joined the business in 1949. 

Also pictured, below: Mildred Stang, Stock Clerk of the Parts Department and Evelyn Norris, Clerk.