The race standard. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 18??-1???, 1897-01-02
Col. ]. Frank SuppIee.

OUs' ). TIdhN OuppI06.
Col. J. Frank Supplee has
lived in Baltimore all his life, and
is to the manner BORN" having
been clearly identified with the
varied mercantile, social and pub
lie life of our city. He is the son
of the late Judge Franklin Supplee,
who was elected Judge of the Or
phans' Court in 1859, reelected in
1868, and served his two terms
with distinction. He was widely
known and respected, taking great
interest in the NJ. +. Church and
was public speaker of force and
ability. Col. Suppleo was educa-
ted in the public schools of Balti-
more. graduated in 1867 from the
City College, and at that early age
had achieved the credit of being the
leader of his class in debate or
platform speaking. He was con
nected with the wholesale dry goods
house of Daniel Miller & Co. for
twenty-five years, thirteen years
as partner. In 1890 he severed
his connection with this firm to de-
vote his entire time to the Chesa-
peake Shirt Company, a manufac-
turing enterprise which he had
founded - years ,befose. and
lFhlsls Z sfirsrf STgrnH'TFg had
grown into Such proportions as to
demand his undivided attention.
As president of this company, he
developed the business until in
1895, when he closed his active con
nection with it, it employed six
hundred operatives aud It's annual
sales were over half million
dollars. lie is still il director Of
this company and holder OF one
third of its stock In June, 1895,
he took charge of the reo,ganiza-
tion of the established business Of
Hodges Brothers, after the death
OF the late James Hodges, ex- Mayor
of our city. AID one of the most
distinguished merchants of his
time. Col. Supplee is now the head
of this firm, and the business is
now conducted on the extensive
scale wrich has ever characterized
its management, and it is now the
largest house dealing in dress goods,
hosiery and notions South of New
York. The subject cf our sketch
has not been selfish in his devotion
to business but has found time to
give much attention to city matters
and enterprises and organizations
for the building up Of its trade. He
was the prime mover 10 the organ
ization of the Merchants and Man
ufacturers' Fire Insurance Com
pany, one of largest Of our city, and
is its vice president. He is also a
director of the Merchants Manu-
facturers' Association, the leading
trade body of Baltimore, and also
director of the United States
Fidelity Company, the Monumen-
tai Savings and Loan Association
and other business enterprises. lie
served for two years in the Second
Branch of the City council, repre-
senting the 4th and 18th Wards.
having the unique distinction of
being the only member who was
ever elected to the Second Branch
while residing in the same Ward,
Few men are as conversant with
city affairs or have made closer or
more intelligent study of municipal
problems. The title of Colonel is
not al honorary one but has been
earned by deserved promotion
alter many years service in the
Maryland National Guard, as he is
now Lieutenant Colonel of the
Fourth Regiment of infantry. and
was for over three years Captain Of
Company F, 5th Regiment, !. NJ.
n. e. A member of Nit. Vernon
Place NJ. E. Church, the Sons of
the Revolution and many secret
orders of charitable or benevolent
character, as we'll as of such social
organizations as the Merchants
Club, Young Mems Republican
Club, he may be said to be man
among men.