On Aug.27, we co-hosted with the J.T. Daugherty Center, a Breakfast with the Founding Business Leaders in St. Mary’s County. Actually, these were the founders of the St. Mary’s County business community that emerged after WWII. The panel was a dream team of entrepreneurs who started their enterprises some 50 years ago here when the economic landscape was far different. Here’s a quick summary of each presenter.
Tom Daugherty, President of Maryland Bank & Trust (founded by his father in 1959), gave opening remarks and moderated the discussion. Tom talked about his dad, Jack Daugherty, as a young Marine aviator during WWII who, after a stint as the charter class of Navy test pilots at NAS Patuxent River, envisioned Lexington Park as a commercial town center and pursued its development to include a furniture and appliance store, radio station, newspaper, bank, and other essential amenities. He recognized several long-time business leaders in Lexington Park including Jack Rue of Rue’s Roost, and Jack Gelrud of Rexall Drug Store. How did one keep track of all the Jacks at the time?
Walter Blair, founder of W.R. Blair, talked about starting his watch repair business in a small space in the back of a Leonardtown shop that eventually sold silver jewelry (at the request of a customer, Mrs. Stieff of the Baltimore Sterling Silver Company). After about a dozen years selling jewelry and related gifts, Mr. Blair expanded the operation and started the Catalog Showroom. At its peak, W.R. Blair’s was 5 catalog showrooms from Annapolis to Fredericksburg, operating for 22 years. Mr. Blair retired in 1991 after a 42 year career. His company motto was “Treat the customer royally.”
Elmer Brown, born and raised in Drayden, moved to Washington, DC to seek work when Jim Crow laws prevailed. He learned business from his father working at Dent’s store, and eventually took to the road, driving for Esso (Exxon) and others. He recalled being the first black to drive for Exxon, how difficult that was, but also how rewarding it was to exceed expectations. He’d go on to run a motel in Waldorf and a cleaning business here in the County (still in operation). One life lesson was “make 3, spend 1” dollars. In other words, watch your funds closely. Most important to him was the revitalization of the Douglass-Tubman community off Chancellor’s Run Road.
Ben Burroughs recalled growing up in Mechanicsville and starting his business career at age 12 delivering papers. At 14 he delivered Fuller brushes (including hairbrushes with a lifetime guarantee) on a scooter throughout St. Mary’s and Charles Counties. He then drove a truck and soon after entered the insurance business with Tom Waring. He spent some time in public service and served as Deputy Sheriff and Sheriff for 12 years. He bought the Farmers Market & Auction in Charlotte Hall in1963. His talent with land led him to acquire properties and provide housing for thousands of new residents. He has three active subdivisions today.
George “Budweiser” Guy heads Guy Distributing which is celebrating its 75th year of continuous operation in the County. The business was started by his mom and dad as a spinoff of Guy Brothers General Store in Clements. Mr. Guy recalled starting to work in the store at age 10. After graduating high school, he helped run the family business in 1942. He acknowledged his wife and children, all 3 still at the shop, for enabling the distributor to succeed. He also referred to the origin of the 10oz can in the mid 1950s and how that risky product venture turned out to be a strategic boon for the business.
J. Frank Raley, Jr., from Park Ha