The headlights probably hook up to the junction block. On my 51 chev pickup that is where they got their power from. As for the brake lights, there should be switch on the master cylinder, sometimes these don't work. You will have to test it.
Here is link to a site with old chevy manuals on line. You can download the 1941 manual and I am sure most of your car is the same.
http://chevy.tocmp.com/