Ethelene Rachel Thomas Reed: The Woman Behind the Reed Legacy
Ethelene Rachel Thomas Reed (Sept 16, 1894-Mar 15, 1977)
Before the name Reed became associated with automobiles, innovation, and customer service in Rockville, Maryland, there was a young farm girl growing up in rural Frederick County. Ethelene Rachel Thomas, born September 16, 1894, spent her childhood on her family’s farm on Butterfly Lane in Buckeystown, Maryland; a quiet countryside that helped shape the woman who would later stand beside Lewis Reed, founder of Reed Brothers Dodge.
Ethelene was the daughter of Clinton Clay Thomas (1856–1940) and Mary Elizabeth Thomas, lifelong farmers whose roots ran deep in Frederick County soil. Their farm, located along Butterfly Lane, was part of a long-established agricultural corridor of small family homesteads, fields, and barns that fed nearby towns for generations.
Growing Up on the Thomas Family Farm
Life on the Thomas farm followed the steady rhythms of the seasons. Long days were filled with planting, harvesting, tending animals, and preserving food for winter. Like many rural children at the turn of the 20th century, Ethelene learned responsibility early, helping with household work and farm chores while growing up in a close-knit, hardworking family.
Butterfly Lane, once little more than a farm road, connected families like the Thomases to Buckeystown and the larger Frederick County community. Though modest, the farm represented stability, perseverance, and a deep connection to the land; values that Ethelene carried with her throughout her life.
Ethelene Reed was the matriarch of a family that became synonymous with the automotive industry in Maryland. In this photo, her poise and fashionable attire reflect the burgeoning middle-class elegance of the early 1920s.
From Farm to Classroom
Before her marriage to Lewis Reed, Ethelene was a teacher in the Maryland public school system; a role that reflected her commitment to service, learning, and community. Teaching offered young women of her generation one of the few professional paths available, and Ethelene embraced it with the same dedication she had learned on the family farm.
A New Chapter in Rockville
Ethelene Rachel Thomas seen in the passenger seat, joined by her sister, Celeste Thomas, with their father, Clinton Clay Thomas, in the back. Photographed by Lewis Reed, circa 1918.
As the country changed, so did Ethelene’s life. She eventually left the farmland of Frederick County and married Lewis Reed, a gifted photographer and entrepreneur who would go on to found Reed Brothers Dodge in Rockville. While Lewis built a business that helped introduce the automobile age to Montgomery County, Ethelene became an essential partner in that journey.
Ethelene Rachel Thomas and her sister, Celeste Thomas Brown, in a 1918 Oldsmobile Club Roadster. Photo taken by Lewis Reed at the Clinton Clay Thomas family farm, located on Butterfly Lane in Buckeystown, Maryland, circa 1918.
Not a great deal has been published about Lewis Reed’s wife, Ethelene Rachel Thomas, despite her central role in the family and in this story. This post is offered as a tribute to her life, her quiet strength, and the rural values she carried from Butterfly Lane into the heart of the Reed legacy.
Ethelene Rachel Thomas Reed was also my maternal grandmother, making this story deeply personal. Preserving and sharing her history is part of honoring not only her life, but the generations that followed and the legacy she helped create.
Lewis and Ethelene Reed at their daughter’s wedding reception–founders of a family legacy.
Ethelene Rachel Thomas Reed passed away on March 15, 1977, but her life remains an important link between the rural roots of Maryland and the modern legacy of Reed Brothers Dodge. From the fields of Butterfly Lane to the streets of Rockville, her story reminds us that our dealership’s history is not only about cars; it’s about people, family, and the values passed from one generation to the next.
Former Employee Spotlight for Black History Month: Vincent Ricks
Vincent M. Ricks, Sr. – Transmission Specialist, ca. early 1970s
For more than a century, Reed Brothers Dodge has been part of the fabric of Montgomery County. Its story is not only about cars, buildings, or advertisements… it is about people. As Black History Month continues, I would like to pause and recognize one of those people whose skill, dedication, and hard work helped shape Reed Brothers Dodge behind the scenes.
One such employee was Vincent Ricks, who worked at Reed Brothers Dodge in the 1970s as a Transmission Specialist and Auto Mechanic. While his work often went unseen by customers, Vince played a critical role in keeping the dealership running smoothly.
Vince was Master Certified in automatic transmissions, a distinction that reflected both his technical skill and the trust placed in him. Day after day, his work ensured that vehicles left the shop safe, reliable, and ready for the road; an essential part of what made Reed Brothers Dodge a trusted name in the community.
Vince Ricks beneath a vehicle on the shop lift, performing transmission work, an essential part of the service department at Reed Brothers Dodge, 1970s.
Those who knew him, remember Vince as calm and soft-spoken, with a subtle, friendly wit. But behind that calm presence was someone the dealership could always count on. Even after retiring, Vince never really left Reed Brothers Dodge. On weekends, he continued working for Reed Brothers part time, and often made trips to car auctions with the owner to help bring pre-owned inventory back for the lot. Vince would drive vehicles back to the dealership, sometimes making more than one run in a single trip. It was just another example of how dependable he was, and how much the dealership still relied on him long after his full-time days in the shop were over. Vince wasn’t just a former employee; he remained a valued part of the Reed Brothers Dodge family.
Vincent Ricks visiting the showroom after retirement, still part of the Reed Brothers Dodge family.
This Black History Month, we honor Vincent Ricks, whose expertise, dedication, and steady presence behind the scenes were a vital part of keeping Reed Brothers Dodge running smoothly for decades.
“The Boardwalk” Along the Waterfront at Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, Early 1900s
In the early 1900s, the Chesapeake Beach Railway Company offered Washingtonians more than transportation, it promised escape. At the rail line’s eastern terminus, a bustling boardwalk emerged along the Chesapeake Bay, carefully designed to attract crowds with hotels, amusements, and sweeping waterfront views. This was a new kind of destination, where leisure was planned, marketed, and delivered by rail.
Lewis Reed recognized the historical significance of this scene and turned his camera toward it. His photographs of the Chesapeake Beach boardwalk capture the rhythms of a day spent seaside: visitors strolling between attractions, pausing to take in the view, or gathering near the latest amusements. Among the highlights of his images is the Griffith Patent Scenic Railway, an early roller coaster whose curves and speed symbolized the era’s fascination with innovation and thrill. (click on thumbnails to view gallery)
Reed’s photographs preserve more than a popular resort, they document a moment when railroads shaped recreation and when leisure itself became part of the modern experience. Through his lens, the Chesapeake Beach boardwalk is frozen in time, offering a vivid glimpse into how Americans relaxed, traveled, and found excitement at the dawn of the 20th century.
Former Employee Spotlight: Meet Phil Vetter
At Reed Brothers Dodge, our legacy is built not just on the cars we sell or the buildings we’ve called home, but on the dedicated people who have shaped our history for over a century. Today, I am proud to introduce you to one of the dealership’s most respected and long-serving employees: Phil Vetter.
Phil Vetter was an integral part of the Service Department at Reed Brothers Dodge for more than 3 decades, serving well into the late 1970s.
Phil Vetter’s journey with Reed Brothers Dodge began in the early 20th century, a time when Rockville, Maryland was still a small town and the automobile industry was just finding its wheels. From his earliest days, Phil stood out for his unwavering commitment to customer service. By 1951, he had already become an integral part of our management team, working alongside founders Edgar and Lewis Reed as well as other key figures like Lester Wilson and Leo C. Murray.
Phil’s expertise quickly earned him the role of Service Manager, where he oversaw a busy department of factory-trained mechanics. One of Phil’s most memorable moments came in 1972 at the Washington Auto Show. There, he represented Reed Brothers behind the wheel of a custom-equipped Dodge Charger “Topper Special,” showcasing not only Chrysler’s latest technology but also our dealership’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve. Whether managing day-to-day operations or representing the dealership at high-profile events, Phil was always a trusted ambassador for Reed Brothers’ values.
Phil’s career spanned some of the most transformative years in both local history and automotive culture. He witnessed, and helped navigate, the dealership’s move from its original location at the triangle through several major remodels, and finally into it new location at 15955 Frederick Road in 1970. Throughout these changes, Phil ensured that our service department remained at the cutting edge while never losing sight of what mattered most: people.
Breaking Ground for the New Location, 1970. From left: Edwin Becraft, Phil Vetter, George Ward, Lee Gartner, President (others unknown).
Phil Vetter wasn’t just an employee, he was family. We are proud to honor his legacy, not only as an exceptional Service Manager, but as a lasting pillar of the Reed Brothers family and the community it served.
More Than Just Motors: The Enduring Link Between Reed Brothers Dodge and the MCPD
When you look back at the history of Montgomery County, Maryland, certain names are synonymous with the growth of the region. Reed Brothers Dodge is certainly one of them, but while we are often remembered as the first Dodge dealership in the area, our history is also deeply intertwined with the very foundation of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). This connection wasn’t just about the cars and motorcycles; it was about the people who kept them on the road.
This is the first known photograph of the entire Montgomery County Police Force Motor Unit. Pictured left to right: Earl Burdine, Lawrence Clagett, Guy Jones, Chief Charles Cooley, Leroy Rodgers, and Oscar Gaither. Photo taken by Lewis Reed on July 4, 1922.
The relationship between Lewis Reed and the MCPD began on the department’s very first day of duty: July 4, 1922. On that historic morning, Chief Charles Cooley and his five original officers gathered at Reed Brothers Dodge to have their first official group photo taken. At the time, the department was a “mounted” unit on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Because modern, branded dealerships didn’t exist yet, Reed Brothers served as a vital hub for sales and service. Lewis Reed and his brother Edgar were motorcycle enthusiasts who had founded Rockville’s Park Avenue Motorcycle Club a decade earlier in 1912, and their expertise made the dealership the natural home for the county’s early fleet. In those early days, each officer was allotted $300 a year for motorcycle upkeep, and our shop was where much of that vital work happened.
As the decades passed and the MCPD grew into a modern force, the need for expert maintenance grew with it. The department eventually established its own internal garage, but they didn’t have to look far to find the best talent to staff it. The “Reed Brothers standard” was so well-regarded that the police garage specifically recruited veteran mechanics from the dealership. By the late 1970s, two of our most skilled technicians, Ben McGowan and John Hall, transitioned from the service bays at Reed Brothers Dodge to work for the Montgomery County Police garage. Ben, an electrical and AC specialist, and John, a Maryland State Inspector and ASE-certified mechanic, brought a wealth of “under-the-hood” knowledge to the county.
This pipeline of talent from the dealership to the public sector highlights a beautiful piece of Rockville history. It shows that Reed Brothers Dodge was more than just a business; it was a training ground for the craftsmen who kept the county moving. When we see photos of those early 1922 officers on their Harleys or hear stories of the police fleet in the decades that followed, we aren’t just looking at machines. We are looking at the legacy of men like Lewis Reed, Ben McGowan, and John Hall– the hands that built, serviced, and supported the safety of our community for over a century.
First motorcycle club in Rockville, Maryland. One Harley Davidson, one Indian, and Three Excelsior motorcycles on Park Avenue, 1912. Lewis Reed, far left.
As the curator of these archives and the granddaughter of Lewis Reed, I feel a great sense of pride in preserving these connections. Seeing the faces of men like Ben McGowan and John Hall reminds me that our family business was built on the shoulders of dedicated craftsmen who served their neighbors and their county. It is a legacy of service that I am honored to document and share with you today.
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Reed Brothers Dodge History (1915-2012) by Jeanne Gartner is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.
Reed Brothers Dodge History 1915 – 2012 
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