Elwood Carl Priestley had just returned from serving the U.S. during World War I when he began dabbling in car sales. He based the business venture out of his family’s Boone County general store. He would travel to Detroit to retrieve a single automobile, after which he would proceed to find a buyer. One led to two, which led to three – and so forth. Circa 1922, Priestley opened a General Motors dealership, Riverside Motor Company.  It wasn’t unusual for the ambitious businessman to deliver the vehicles to purchasers, taking along a horse for the return trip. As the years went on, Priestley opened other dealerships, sharing operations with his brother. He married and had a handful of daughters, but no sons. He did one day, however, find himself with five sons-in-law, all of whom he taught the ropes of the business. He went on to help each to establish his own car dealership.

 

One of Priestley’s sons-in-law was Harry Green from Bridgeport. The 1943 graduate of Bridgeport High School and World War II marine met one of the Priestley girls – Jonnie - while attending West Virginia University. In 1959, Green and his family relocated to his old stomping grounds, where he established Harry Green Chevrolet AKA "Chevy City."

 

To those who have been in the area for the past half-century, the rest is history. In about 1979, Green began selling Jeeps at his car lot along Old Route 50. Less than a decade later, he added the Nissan brand. Harry Green Chevrolet Nissan & Jeep became one of the largest new and used car dealerships in the state. Green passed in 2013, but not before leaving a legacy  of business success and philanthropic efforts.  Among employees through the years have been Bob Trickett and Clair Chenoweth – who went on to open their own area car dealerships, which also saw success.

 

Sometimes the realty of it all strikes Green’s son Hal, now at the helm of operations at "Harry Green Chevrolet Seven Acres," where his sons and stepson are being groomed for the business. We’re talking four generations and 93 years of new and used car sales.

 

Whatever inspired Priestley to begin selling cars in the first place?

 

Funny you should ask. For several years, Hal Green’s aunt - a daughter of Elwood Priestley - told the story.  

 

It was 1917-18 while serving in the European Theatre of World War I that Priestley would often drive and accompany his captain on official duties. Off they would go in the four-wheel-drive military vehicle – the forerunner of the Jeep. As the story goes, the captain looked at Priestley one day and said, “You know, someday every home in America will have one of these vehicles parked in front. Some might even have more than one.”

 

That military official who got Priestley’s wheels turning was none other than Dwight D. Eisenhower, who went on to become the 34^th president of the United States – serving, in fact, when Harry Green Chevrolet was first established.

 

Don’t you just love hearing what drives individuals who help make our city a success?

 

Read about Hal Green being named by Time Magazine as West Virginia Dealer of the Year HERE.