USA > Pennsylvania > Prominent and progressive Pennsylvanians of the nineteenth century. Volume II > Part 35
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EMERSON B. SNYDER.
chiefly due. Competition in the clothing business has always been keen in Philadelphia, which is known as one of the closest markets for this class of goods in the country, and Mr. Snyder, to build up such an establishment, has required a more than ordinary amount of patience, care and persistent effort. The company's business has not been acquired in any one year; season after season it has been steadily forced upward by the only plan that can insure permanent prosperity-a strict regard for every one of those rules of right, honor and truth that are as indispensable in trade as elsewhere. Severe competition has had to be met; financial panics have have come and gone, but enterprise and the adoption of the latest and most improved methods in use in his business have enabled Mr. Snyder to meet them all and to make his firm almost as well known in Texas, the Carolinas and Georgia as it is to the buyers of the local houses.
Mr. Snyder is still a comparatively young man, yet his remarkable adaptability to the progressive tendencies of the times and his close application to his business affairs, to which qualities his present high standing in business circles is largely due, would seem to insure for him an even higher place than he at present enjoys. Mr. Snyder was married on the 28th day of April, 1886, to Miss Mary A. Boldridge, one of Philadelphia's most charming young ladies. They have no children.
At present, as during the whole of his business career, he has devoted his entire attention to the wholesale clothing trade and as a large stockholder and prominent member of the com- pany which has been formed to extend the business which his father established and which he, himself, has so successfully conducted.
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THOMAS W. SOUTH.
A MONG the various interests which indicate the development of Pennsylvania's enterprises that of the minor judiciary is quite an important adjunct. Coming of old American stock and attached to Pennsylvania's earliest history through ancestral connections, Magistrate Thomas W. South is in every way worthy of representing the most advanced phases of its latter-day citizen- ship.
THOMAS WINFIELD SOUTH was born at Laurel, Ohio, October I, 1847. His father was Dr. Stephen B. South and his mother Abigail Steelman South. His paternal grandfather came from New Jersey to Bethel, Ohio, and his great-grandfather originally came from Wales. His father lived on an adjoining farm, in Bethel, Ohio, under the employ of Jesse R. Grant, the father of General Grant, and he was a companion of the latter during his early life. When General Grant was appointed to West Point, Magistrate South's father was given the same opportunity for military development, but, urged by his mother, refused the chance. Instead, he studied medicine and became a very success- ful physician and surgeon, in the practice of which profession he continued for more than forty years. In the meantime General Grant wrote the older Mr. South to join him and accept a position as surgeon in the army in Mexico, but he declined on account of ill health. The maiden name of Magistrate South's mother was Abigail Steelman Higbee, and she was the daughter of Absalom Higbee, of Leeds Point, New Jersey. The family was a branch of an old American stock, her grandfather having been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The fact that the date of the birth and
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THOMAS W. SOUTH.
death of the brave soldier, John Steelman, who was the maternal progenitor of Magistrate South, are not in accordance with the regulations of the Sons of the Revolution, is the only thing which prevents Magistrate South from becoming a member of that patri- otic society.
In common with the youth of his time, Thomas W. South was educated in the public schools, receiving the benefits of a system which at that time had but entered into its preparatory stage. This was at Laurel, Ohio, and later he was sent to Cler- mont Academy, New Richmond, Ohio. In 1862 Thomas W. South made application for admission to West Point through Congress- man R. W. Clark, from the Congressional district, in Ohio, where Mr. South lived. The application was unsuccessful, but Mr. South was offered a Cadetship in the Naval Academy at Annapolis, which he declined. However, being a patriotic youth, he went into the army with the One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio National Guard in 1863. This step he took without his father's knowledge, and with his comrades he reached Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, marching from there to Harper's Ferry. Although imbued with the fiery spirit of warfare, he was discharged at the latter place by Governor Dennison, of Ohio, at his father's urgent request.
After receiving a regular course of studies he left school and, for the purpose of developing his business qualities, as well as improving his physical condition, he went in the live-stock busi- ness, in Ohio, in 1868, and, in 1872, he came to Philadelphia and entered the employ of Henry Disston. From that time Thomas W. South has been identified with the development of Tacony. In 1872, when he entered the Disston establishment, he saw the splendid future which was offered to that section of Philadelphia, and he became an active participant in the re-laying out and building upon improved plans of the town of Tacony. The first house erected under the new scheme of improvement there was begun on the day that Jay Cooke failed, and, in spite of the fact that business throughout the country was generally depressed, more than three million dollars were expended in making Tacony what it is to-day. Mr. South is probably more than any one
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THOMAS W. SOUTH.
person responsible for the remarkable growth of this beautiful suburb. He was connected with the firm of Henry Disston & Sons as manager and general agent of their real estate operations in Philadelphia, and his primary object in coming from Ohio to Philadelphia was to superintend the building of that town of homes for the Disston workmen. Mr. South became a Director of the Suburban Electric Company, of which he was practically an originator. He was also one of the promoters of the Holmes- burg, Frankford and Tacony Electric Railway; and he organized the Tacony Building and Loan Association, of which he has been Treasurer for twenty-two years. He was appointed Index Clerk in the Recorder of Deeds' office under the administration of Gen- eral Wagner. He demonstrated special abilities for such a respon- sibility and was shortly made special agent in the revenue office. The office of magistrate requires a large adaptability and numer- ous talents. All of these Thomas W. South possessed, and it was but a natural outcome of his progressive temperament and fre- quently indicated abilities that he should be elected, in 1875, to the post of Magistrate of the City of Philadelphia. He has been re-elected three times, in recognition of his excellent public ser- vice, and his present term will not expire until April 1, 1900. Few members of the minor judiciary have a better record to point to than Magistrate Thomas W. South. The interests of his district, the advancement of his city at large and the honorable conduct of his office have ever been his chief considerations, and it is but a natural result that he is ranked to-day among the most successful and able members of that body of eminent Philadelphians and representative Pennsylvanians who have the legal interests of the city in their hands.
In 1878 Magistrate South was married to Ida N. Corbly, of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have had three children, Blanche L., Effie L. and Hamilton D. South, aged eighteen, sixteen and four- teen respectively.
ISIDOR P. STRITTMATTER.
EW fields of human endeavor and investigation offer more speedy rewards than medicine and surgery. Here true merit finds an immediate recognition, and the unselfish devotion to the public good manifested by so many physicians does not long go unrewarded. Those who seem to have an innate genius for strengthening the weak and supporting the suffering are soon accorded the applause of the public and speedily command the admiration of their contemporaries. But, to conquer the respect and win the recognition of people, press and profession, a physi- cian must be equipped with a comprehensive knowledge for the healing art and be favored by nature with ability to give to each case that deliberateness of action that gives poise and weight. The successful doctor is therefore the one who, besides being able to thoroughly diagnose and outline the proper treatment for the patient's ailment, can make the sufferer instinctively feel that the case in hand is the only one that has a place in the physician's mind. This is one of the great secrets of the profession, and the practice that Dr. Isidor P. Strittmatter has gathered around him and the confidence that his many patrons manifest in his judgment prove his possession of it.
ISIDOR PAUL, STRITTMATTER, of Philadelphia, was born at Carrolltown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, on the 16th day of August, 1860. Francis F. Strittmatter, the father of the subject of this review, was a successful contractor and builder of that place and a man who was able to give his son every advantage in his early educational training. His mother, formerly Miss Elizabeth M. Huber, was born in Zweibrücken, Bavaria, and came 478
Haltmatter
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ISIDOR P. STRITTMATTER.
to Philadelphia at the age of eighteen years. The son's elemen- tary instruction was received in the public schools, where he, while
a mere lad, proved himself to be indefatigable in application and tireless in energy. He was barely in his "teens" when he had acquired such a thorough groundwork that he was prepared for entrance upon a full scholastic course. His parents having selected St. Vincent's College, situated in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, as a suitable institution for his further instruction, he entered that school and began to apply himself to his studies with renewed
vigor. How intense was his desire for knowledge and how great
his natural aptitude is amply evidenced by his graduation, in the
spring of 1875, before he had completed his fifteenth year. This phenomenal progress, while but a beginning, is the keynote to his
no opportunity to improve his mind or enlarge his store of infor- subsequent success. An active and conscientious worker, he lost mation and began to teach school, rightly regarding this employ- ment as affording an excellent opportunity for further self-culture. For two years, himself scarcely more than a child, he taught with
great success, though he was younger than many of his pupils.
But, with an industry that knew no abatement, he still delved into his books. Tireless in effort and persistent in purpose, he began to devote his spare time to the study of medicine. Toward the latter part of his teaching, having acquired a preliminary knowledge, he entered the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadel- phia. Once fairly started in the study of the profession in which he has since achieved such signal success, with all the fire and enthusiasm of his nature he entered upon his task, graduating and receiving his degree in 1881. His record as a student and his showing at his final examinations were so excellent that imme- diately upon the completion of his college course he was appointed and remained for eight months Interne at the German Hospital in Philadelphia. The year 1882 was spent as Resident Physician and Surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital, in the same city. This post was resigned, however, toward the end of the latter year, because of a serious attack of typhoid fever. Upon his recovery he immediately entered upon. the active practice of his profession, and soon began
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ISIDOR P. STRITTMATTER.
to be known as a physician and surgeon of unusual skill. For nine years following 1888 he was Surgeon-in-Chief of that noble charity, St. Mary's Hospital, and devoted much of his time to its affairs. In January, 1897, however, he resigned this position in order to give his time and attention exclusively to his private hos- pital, which is devoted to general surgery and gynecology. This latter institution is the result of Doctor Strittmatter's rapidly increasing practice, which soon outgrew the possibilities of receiv- ing adequate attention from a single physician, unless the cases were so gathered under one roof that he could have never-ceasing supervision over them.
Doctor Strittmatter is a member of the American Medical Association, of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, of the Philadelphia Pathological Society, of the Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia, of the Northern Medical Association of Philadelphia, President in 1893, and of the Meigs (J. Aitken) Medical Association.
In the ranks of the medical fraternity of Philadelphia few specialists have made better records, been more uniformly success- ful with difficult operations, or have made a greater number of important discoveries in hitherto unexplored fields than Doctor Strittmatter, who has won for himself a most enviable reputation in the profession to which he devotes the whole of his time and attention.
J. WESLEY SUPPLEE.
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alex ROM his sixteenth year until the present time J. Wesley Supplee, President of the Corn Exchange National Bank, has been one of the most active factors in effecting the progress of the State as a community, and of his own city particularly. When sixteen years old he was appointed to the position of Assistant Postmaster at Norristown. Several years later he entered business life in Philadelphia and by a series of progressive stages has reached a position among the prominent men of Pennsylvania.
J. WESLEY SUPPLEE was born in Montgomery County, Penn- sylvania, his parents being John Supplee and Eliza Huven, the latter coming from Holland stock. She was a woman of excep- tional 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 II .- 3I 481
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J. WESLEY SUPPLEE.
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 one to 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 adminis- tration, another postmaster was appointed in place of Mr. Sup- plee's father, and, although he was requested to remain as assist- ant, he had become tired of official life and determined to come to Philadelphia. In this city he accepted 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 con- tinued so up to the present time. The business was confined chiefly to the making and shipping of flour, and, while Mr. Sup- plee 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 a young man Mr. Supplee became interested in financial insti- tutions. 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, pre- ferring to act as Director. Two years later he resigned from the Directorship of the Produce National Bank and became a Director
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J. WESLEY SUPPLEE.
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 accept- ance of which honor he finally agreed. Mr. Supplee has been interested in the advancement of commerce ever since his embark- ation 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 Com- mittee 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 the Keystone State.
WILLIAM W. SUPPLEE.
NE of the most important founts of industry is centred in the hardware trade, and the manufac- turing branch of this great business has reached its most progressive stage in the State of Penn- sylvania. William W. Supplee, the subject of this biography, who is known throughout the country as President of the Supplee Hardware Company, and who is an officer in some of the most noted trade associations, has been a large factor in the development of this commercial prosperity.
WILLIAM W. SUPPLEE was born in Montgomery County, about five miles from Norristown, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1832. His father's name was John Supplee, and his mother's name was Eliza Supplee, Huven being her name before marriage. On his paternal side, Mr. Supplee traces his ancestors back to the Huguenots, some of whom came to this country and landed in New York in 1661, and, in 1681, his great-great-grandfather purchased the prop- erty and soon after built the old homestead, where his great-grand- father, grandfather and father were born. All his immediate relatives, from the time they moved there, were buried in what is known as the Supplee burying ground, and there was also built by the family on their property what is known as the Supplee School-house. He received his early education, as did the rest of the family, here, and later he went to the Tremont Seminary, where his brothers were also educated, and where his brother Enoch was for some years a teacher. In 1853 he came to Philadelphia to enter mercantile pursuits, remained for three years, and leaving to embark in business for himself. He went to La Crosse, Wiscon- sin, where he engaged in the hardware business with William J.
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Williams In Supply
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WILLIAM W. SUPPLEE.
Lloyd. During his residence in Wisconsin the firm did, probably, the largest hardware business in the State, but, after eleven years, as the climate did not agree with Mr. Supplee, he was advised by his physicians to leave that locality. Accordingly, he returned to Philadelphia, in 1867, and entered into the wholesale hardware business as a member of the firm of Lloyd, Supplee & Walton. In 1884 Mr. Walton retired from the firm, and, in April, 1889, Mr. Supplee bought the interest of his former partner, Mr. Lloyd, and became President of the Supplee Hardware Company, which is to-day one of the most successful and best known companies of the kind operating in the country. His son, William D. Supplee, is Treasurer, and Newton F. Cressman (whose father was Mr. Supplee's principal in school for many years) is the Cashier.
It is the best evidence in the world of Mr. Supplee's energetic nature that the Supplee Hardware Company does the largest busi- ness of any wholesale hardware house this side of Chicago, and that its trade is probably only equaled by two in the United States. But, while his attention has been chiefly given to the development of his own business organization, Mr. Supplee is iden- tified with many important enterprises. He was long a Director in the Seventh National, and for several years Director in the Corn Exchange national banks, of which his brother, J. Wesley Supplee, is President. He has been Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Trades League ever since that organization was started. Since about 1874 he has been a member of the Union League, and he is also a member of the Manufacturers' Club, of Philadel- phia, and is one of the Executive Committee of the National League of Business Men, upon which he has served ever since its organization. He has been President of the National Hardware Association of the United States ever since it was organized. For two years he was President of the Hardware and Manufacturers' Association of Philadelphia and since has been Chairman of its Board of Directors. Notwithstanding these important connections Mr. Supplee's chief interest is the wholesale hardware business, which he has succeeded in extending into almost every State in the Union. His firm employs fifty salesmen, and has nearly two
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WILLIAM W. SUPPLEE.
hundred workmen in all. It controls the production of the Penn- sylvania Lawn Mower Works, which is one of the largest estab- lishments of the kind in the country. The Supplee Hardware Company has a separate establishment at Nos. 11 and 13 North Fifth Street, Philadelphia, devoted exclusively to the bicycle busi- ness, while the main establishment is located at 503 and 505 Mar- ket Street and at Nos. 4 and 6 North Fifth Street.
For fifteen years Mr. Supplee has corresponded semi-monthly for the Iron Age, a journal devoted to the interests of the hard- ware trade in the United States, and he is an accepted authority upon all branches appertaining to the industry. He is interested in the Philadelphia Museum, and is on the Advisory Board of that notable institution. In fact, he is along all lines a most progres- sive and active man.
When in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Mr. Supplee was married to Mary Cass Danforth. Her mother was one of the Rumsey family, who have resided for many years in Buffalo, New York, being well known throughout the entire State. Mr. Supplee has three children ; his son, William D. Supplee, Treasurer of the present company, and two single daughters. His brother, Rev. Enoch H. Supplee, who sustained quite a reputation for literary work and was a clergyman in the Episcopal Church, died not quite two years ago, and his only remaining brother is J. Wesley Supplee, Presi- dent of the Corn Exchange National Bank. Mr. Supplee has one sister living, Mrs. Charles P. Perry, who resides in Norristown, and is a widow. These three are the only living members of his generation, each of the three having grandchildren.
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JAMES S. SWARTZ.
MONG the world's greatest systems of marine trans- portation the International Navigation Company, a thoroughly American institution, is recognized as pre-eminently representative of all that is progres- sive in modern ocean traffic. That the International Navigation Company has made a remarkable success is due largely to the ability of the men who constitute its leading officials, and among these James S. Swartz, the subject of this biography, is prominent. Mr. Swartz occupies the important post of Treasurer of the International Navigation Company, and in this office he has been largely instrumental in promoting the affairs of his organiza- tion. At the same time, his name is familiar in other fields of progress, and as a Philadelphian he occupies a high place in the estimation of the people of his city and Commonwealth.
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