The Life Behind the Lens
Lewis Reed (1887-1967) was born in Darnestown, Maryland to blacksmith and cabinetmaker Philip Reed, Jr. (1845-1918) and his wife Catherine Jane Thompson (1852-1910). They had seven children: four sons (Phillip, Grafton, Lewis, and Edgar) and three daughters (Eva, Geneva, and Cathrine) who often appeared in Lewis's photographs through the years.
Lewis Reed (1887-1967) was born in Darnestown, Maryland to blacksmith and cabinetmaker Philip Reed, Jr. (1845-1918) and his wife Catherine Jane Thompson (1852-1910). They had seven children: four sons (Phillip, Grafton, Lewis, and Edgar) and three daughters (Eva, Geneva, and Cathrine) who often appeared in Lewis's photographs through the years.
Lewis's father, Philip Reed, outside his blacksmith shop in Darnestown, c. 1901.
Lewis's brothers were all eventually involved with the family's automobile dealership, Reed Brothers Dodge (founded in 1915): Edgar was a partner with his brother Lewis for 35 years until the time of his death; Phillip was a part of the dealership's first work force and worked as a mechanic from 1916-1944; Grafton started working as a mechanic in 1918 and also served as the Garage Manager.
Lewis's brothers were all eventually involved with the family's automobile dealership, Reed Brothers Dodge (founded in 1915): Edgar was a partner with his brother Lewis for 35 years until the time of his death; Phillip was a part of the dealership's first work force and worked as a mechanic from 1916-1944; Grafton started working as a mechanic in 1918 and also served as the Garage Manager.
In 1920, Lewis married the former Ethelene Thomas of Frederick County and had one daughter, Mary Jane, who later married Ernest Lee Gartner in 1944.
In 1920, Lewis married the former Ethelene Thomas of Frederick County and had one daughter, Mary Jane, who later married Ernest Lee Gartner in 1944.
Above: Lewis and Ethelene Reed on their wedding day, 1920.Left top: Edgar Reed on a c. 1912 Indian motorcycle.Left bottom: Grafton Reed in the auto shop c. 1920.
Reed's c. 1890s photo of the Darnestown school is the only one known to exist. Note the outhouse to the left of the main building.
Few students went beyond sixth or seventh grade; in fact, Lewis Reed’s education stopped after the sixth grade. He would later be home-schooled by his wife (Ethelene Reed, pictured at right), who was a teacher in the Maryland public school system.
Few students went beyond sixth or seventh grade; in fact, Lewis Reed’s education stopped after the sixth grade. He would later be home-schooled by his wife (Ethelene Reed, pictured at right), who was a teacher in the Maryland public school system.
As children, Lewis and his siblings attended Darnestown School (pictured at left), a one-room schoolhouse which was located on Thomas Kelley’s Farm at Pleasant Hill. First through sixth grades were taught by one teacher to about thirty or more students.
As children, Lewis and his siblings attended Darnestown School (pictured at left), a one-room schoolhouse which was located on Thomas Kelley’s Farm at Pleasant Hill. First through sixth grades were taught by one teacher to about thirty or more students.
Lewis Reed was one of the original employees of the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, a Georgetown-based manufacturing firm that eventually became International Business Machines, Inc. (IBM). Prior to World War I, Lewis Reed’s love of automobiles led him to become a chauffeur. Chauffeurs were not only trained to be proficient with their driving skills, but they also had to keep the luxury automobiles in top condition. He received his automotive training at the Pierce-Arrow factory in Buffalo, New York, the Dodge Hamtramck and Hudson Motor Car factories in Detroit, Michigan and the Washington Auto College.
Lewis Reed was one of the original employees of the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, a Georgetown-based manufacturing firm that eventually became International Business Machines, Inc. (IBM). Prior to World War I, Lewis Reed’s love of automobiles led him to become a chauffeur. Chauffeurs were not only trained to be proficient with their driving skills, but they also had to keep the luxury automobiles in top condition. He received his automotive training at the Pierce-Arrow factory in Buffalo, New York, the Dodge Hamtramck and Hudson Motor Car factories in Detroit, Michigan and the Washington Auto College.
The Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company truck. (In this photo, Lewis Reed is not the driver)
Lewis Reed (left), chauffeur for an unknown family, c. 1914.
A Charter Member and Past President of the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Lewis Reed was also a member of the advisory board of the Rockville branch of the First National Bank of Maryland, and belonged to the Masonic Lodge of Rockville, the Pentalpha Chapter of the Eastern Star, and the Rockville Rotary Club.
A Charter Member and Past President of the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Lewis Reed was also a member of the advisory board of the Rockville branch of the First National Bank of Maryland, and belonged to the Masonic Lodge of Rockville, the Pentalpha Chapter of the Eastern Star, and the Rockville Rotary Club.
In October of 1915, Lewis Reed opened his Dodge dealership on Rockville Pike, less than one year after the first-ever Dodge automobile rolled off the assembly line. Reed Brothers Dodge provided "wheels" to many families for most of the 20th century during a period when the number of motorcars was rising rapidly throughout Maryland. Few businesses survived the Great Depression and two world wars, but Reed Brothers Dodge eventually emerged from the gauntlet of the 20th century as the oldest Dodge dealership in Maryland history and one of the oldest in the United States.
In October of 1915, Lewis Reed opened his Dodge dealership on Rockville Pike, less than one year after the first-ever Dodge automobile rolled off the assembly line. Reed Brothers Dodge provided "wheels" to many families for most of the 20th century during a period when the number of motorcars was rising rapidly throughout Maryland. Few businesses survived the Great Depression and two world wars, but Reed Brothers Dodge eventually emerged from the gauntlet of the 20th century as the oldest Dodge dealership in Maryland history and one of the oldest in the United States.
The Rockville Garage team (Lewis Reed on the left), advertising Dodge, Oldsmobile and Hudson cars at the Rockville Fair, 1918.
At his death on January 28, 1967, the Senate of Maryland passed a resolution, expressing "the deepest regret and sympathy of every member of this body," describing Reed as "a kindly and loyal person completely devoted to his duties" which he carried out "with fairness and human understanding." The resolution was sponsored by Senator Thomas M. Anderson, Jr. and Senator Louise Gore.
At his death on January 28, 1967, the Senate of Maryland passed a resolution, expressing "the deepest regret and sympathy of every member of this body," describing Reed as "a kindly and loyal person completely devoted to his duties" which he carried out "with fairness and human understanding." The resolution was sponsored by Senator Thomas M. Anderson, Jr. and Senator Louise Gore.
At left: the Reed family, posing with a pedestal camera in the shot. Lewis is holding a glass plate, encased inside a holder to protect it from the light.
Lewis Reed's granddaughter, Jeanne Gartner, has published two books on her grandfather's life and photography. “Lewis Reed Photograph Collection (1898-1960)” and “Portrait Of An Automobile Dealer, Third Edition” are both part of the permanent, non-circulating collection at Montgomery History's Jane C. Sween Research Library and Special Collections in Rockville. “Portrait Of An Automobile Dealer, Third Edition” has been donated to the Director of Curatorial Services at Meadow Brook Hall, the historic home built by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto pioneer John Dodge and her second husband, Alfred Wilson, and was also added to the museum collections of Peerless Rockville. Jeanne also maintains a blog called Reed Brothers Dodge History (see link below), telling the stories of Montgomery County's history through her grandfather's photographs.
Lewis Reed's granddaughter, Jeanne Gartner, has published two books on her grandfather's life and photography. “Lewis Reed Photograph Collection (1898-1960)” and “Portrait Of An Automobile Dealer, Third Edition” are both part of the permanent, non-circulating collection at Montgomery History's Jane C. Sween Research Library and Special Collections in Rockville. “Portrait Of An Automobile Dealer, Third Edition” has been donated to the Director of Curatorial Services at Meadow Brook Hall, the historic home built by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto pioneer John Dodge and her second husband, Alfred Wilson, and was also added to the museum collections of Peerless Rockville. Jeanne also maintains a blog called Reed Brothers Dodge History (see link below), telling the stories of Montgomery County's history through her grandfather's photographs.
Lewis Reed with his daughter, Mary Jane.