Rash's Surname Index
Notes for John Wesley SUPPLEE
J. WESLEY SUPPLEE was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, his parents being John Supplee and EIiza Huven, the latter coming from Holland stock. She was a woman of exceptional character, possessing a wonderful amount of rare, good sense and judgment. In fact, J. Wesley Supplee's mother had a large influence in moulding his life, and to her he largely owes his sterling character. She was possessed of a great spirit of energy and pluck, and this she imparted to her sons. Mr. Supplee's father was the descendant of a line of French ancestors who embraced in their number some notable people through many generations. The original name was Soupleis, being afterwards changed to Supplee. In 1661 Andrew Soupleis , the ancestor of the subject of this biography, emigrated to America, and twenty years later located permanently in Montgomery County, where he remained until his death.
A few years after his birth the family of J. Wesley Supplee moved to Norristown. He was educated in the old school house attached to his father's homestead in Montgomery County and subsequently entered the Tremont Seminary for the purpose of completing his educational course. When but sixteen years of age he was honored by being called to an official position and took oath of office as Assistant Postmaster of Norristown, being appointed by the Government. At that time his father was Postmaster of Norristown, and the son imbibed his ideas of all the details from him. The laws have since been changed, twenty-one years of age being the limit allowed any oneto an official appointment. He served under his father for four years, during that time acquiring a thorough knowledge of the workings of the office and a general idea of business life. In 1854, Owing to the change of administration, another postmaster was appointed in place of Mr. Supplee's father, and, although he was requested to remain as assistant, he had become tired of official life and determined to come to Philadelphia. In this city heaccepted a position as bookkeeper for the well known firm of I. Kinzer & Company.
For three years he remained with this concern, familiarizing himself with the trade, and then, recognizing the opportunities afforded in that line, he determined to embark in business for himself under the firm name of
Supplee & Gillespie, entering the competitive arena of the commercial world. Four years later the firm was changed to J. W. Supplee & Company , and it has continued so up to the present time. The business was confined chiefly to the making and shipping of flour, and, while Mr. Supplee was connected with this important branch of commerce his name was synonymous with wonderful success. His has been the leading concern in that line; it has sold more flour during a similar period than any other house in this section of the country. When still ayoung man Mr. Supplee became interested in financial institutions. He was elected a Director of the Third National Bank a number of years ago. Among his co-directors were such men as Joseph Harrison, Jr., J. B. McCreary and Wm. C. Allison, all since deceased. He resigned his position on the Board of the Third National Bank and helped to form the Produce National Bank . He was solicited to become President, but declined that office, preferring to act as Director. Two years later he resigned from the Directorship of the Produce National Bank and became a Director, and eventually, President of the Corn Exchange National Bank . He had been there scarcely a year when the President, Mr. Johnson, died, and he was solicited to take his position, as leading officer of the bank, to the acceptance of which honor he finally agreed. Mr. Supplee has been interested in the advancement of commerce ever since hisembarkation into business life and his efforts have been among the most powerful in promoting the progress of the business community. He served as President and Vice-President of the Commercial Exchange and is now a Director in several large trust companies and a number of industrial enterprises. Mr. Supplee is a Director of the Guarantee Trust Company, the Union Trust Company and the West End Trust Company, serving on the Executive Committee of the two latter.
He is a very busy man, his time being fully occupied by the bank, his business and the various other enterprises in which he is engaged. At the same time, when necessary, he engages in advancing undertakings or enterprises that may serve to benefit the city. Through his participation to such a large extent in the affairs of his State and because of his unvarying activity in his own city he has come to be recognized as one of the foremost men of theKeystone
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