Lacrosse County WI Archives Biographies.....Supplee, W. J. 1833 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wi/wifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Roxanne Munns rmunns@uwalumni.com April 13, 2007, 11:01 pm Author: Unknown W. J. SUPPLEE, of late firm of Lloyd & Supplee, was born in the city of Norristown, Penn., in the year 1833. The acquaintance between these gentlemen began in early youth; at school they attended the same academy, and completed their studies at the same time, after which they went to Philadelphia together, Mr. Lloyd entering the hardware house of Messrs. Dilworth, Branson & Co., to learn the business, and Mr. Supplee the store of Messrs. Conrad Baird, Son & Co., manufacturers of silverware. They both applied themselves with the greatest diligence to learn all that was to be learned in these different branches. A few months before Mr. Lloyd attained his majority, he decided to locate in the West. For ten years previous to this, he and Mr. Supplee had been almost inseparable; they had roomed together as boys at school, had gone to Philadelphia together, and had occupied the same quarters during the five years they remained at Philadelphia. The very strongest and closest friendship had grown up between them; indeed, they were more intimate than brothers usually are, and, as soon as Mr. Supplee ascertained Mr. Lloyd had decided to go West, he as quickly made up his mind to accompany him. They accordingly left the city of brotherly love, armed with a few letters of introduction to parties living at different points in the Mississippi Valley. After traveling up and down the Mississippi for a week or ten days, they finally decided to locate at La Crosse. This was in the summer of 1856, the city of La Crosse at that time having a population of about 500 inhabitants. A small frame building was secured, on the west side of Front street, near State, and, while Mr. Lloyd was East selecting the stock of goods, Mr. Supplee remained at La Crosse making preparations to receive them. From the first their success was assured. They safely weathered the disastrous panic of 1857. They thoroughly understood their business and gave the same the very closest attention, and were soon firmly established. In a couple of years it became necessary to seek larger quarters, which they found in the brick block on the east side of Front, between Main and State. So fast did their business increase, that, in June, 1861, they removed to the stone building on the corner of Front and Main streets. At the time they did this, some of their friends thought them wild, and thought they could not possibly do sufficient business to warrant the maintaining of so large an establishment. But they had not made the change without due consideration. They were gentlemen of wonderful enterprise but of great caution, were ambitious to extend their business by all honorable means, and aimed to reach the top of the commercial ladder. The last move proved to be a good one, and was not made any to soon, and those of their friends who had predicted failure were forced to acknowledge they had reckoned without their host. During the war, the business done by this firm was simply enormous, and their profits in proportion. In 1866, having accumulated more means than they could use to advantage in their business at La Crosse, they decided to remove to Philadelphia, which they did in the month of January, 1867. In the spring of 1859, Mr. Lloyd was married to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Nathan Custer, Esq., of Philadelphia, and immediately began housekeeping in the dwelling northeast corner Seventh and Pine streets, which he occupied until his removal from the city. In the fall of 1861, Mr. Supplee was married to Miss Mary Danforth, daughter of Mrs. H. T. Rumsey, of La Crosse. Of the social qualities of these gentlemen and of their most estimable ladies, too much cannot be said in praise. They were noted for their kindheartedness, their open-handed and cordial hospitality, and, during all the time of their residence in La Crosse, took a leading part in society. The acquaintances made and friendships formed while in La Crosse have been renewed and kept alive by frequent visits and correspondence. They have always felt and cherished feelings of the very warmest regard for La Crosse and its people, and will remember them with kindest feelings while life lasts, and so, too, will they be remembered by many of the people of La Crosse. On leaving La Crosse, the business of the firm of Lloyd & Supplee was turned over to Lloyd, Supplee & Co., the general partners being Frank H. Lloyd, Joseph Clark and Joseph M. Custer, Messrs. W. J. Lloyd and W. W. Supplee retaining an interest in the business as special partners. Jan. 1, 1870, the firm name was changed to Lloyd, Clark & Custer, and so continued until Jan. 1, 1872, when Mr. Custer's interest was purchased by the remaining partners and the firm name changed to Lloyd & Clarke, under which firm name the business is now carried on. [See sketch of F. H. Lloyd]. Additional Comments: From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 798 - 799. 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