Schupp, Philip P., Mrs. (née Bertha SophiaSchmidt) (Birthday: 83)

Mrs. Philip P. Schupp recalls pioneer days in Chicago area: Wilmette resident observes 83rd birthday; came to Chicago in 1984. [headings] Mrs. Philp C. Schupp, Sr., widow of the late Philip C. Schupp, celebrated her 83rd birthday at her home, 904 Oakwood avenue, Wilmette, the afternoon of June 22, attended by her immediate family, freinds and relatives. Mrs. Schupp, nee Bertha Sophia Schmidt, came to Chicago from Germany in the year 1954 with her parents, following a seven weeks' ocean voyage. Landing at Quebec they came to Chicago residing on the near north side. As there were no street cars in Chicago at that time the family was driven to their home in an express dray. "Chicago was then a vast prairie roamed by both Indians and white people," said Mrs. Schupp. "Recalling the great catastrophies which swept Lake Michigan and Chicago in its early history, I am reminded that I have seen Chicago rebuilt several times, finally developing the present beautiful city." " I recall the sinking of the Lady Elgin; the body of Abraham Lincoln lying in state at the Courthouse; the old Indian trail which is now Green Bay road; remember how the skies were darkened by thousands of wild pigeons; how vast quantities of sturgeon were caught in Lake Michigan, and the thousands of crabsalong its sandy shores. I was one of the first pupils to attend the old Newberry and Brown schools. I also recall the great Civil War into which my brother enlisted. I remember the many perilous trips my brother-in-law, Capt. S. W. Marshall, and Capt. Morrison made on the Great Lakes, their being shipwrecked and swimming to shore. My brother-in-law's three-masted ship was tossed high and dry by a storm on the beach at what is now Lake Shore drive and North avenue, and after being towed back into the lake it sprung a leak and sank. In 1868 I was married to Mr. Shupp, whose parents had come to Chicago a number of years before my folks came. We then moved to the extreme north side where Mr. Schupp entered the wholesale and retail meat business. Deliveries were made for miles around. Mr. Schupp retired from active business in 1904. At the time of the Chicago fire I opened my home to at least fifty people who had lost eveything in the fire, giving them food and lodging until they could get settled elsewhere. Then came the cholera plague in which hundreds died. I have seen several large fairs in Chicago, but there was never one so beautiful in architecture as the one of 1983. Although our present fair is very modern, it is entirely different from anything else I have seen. I recall when real estate in Chicago sold for little or nothing. One tract of 270 acres of Wilmette property sold for $4,000 to the brother of a friend of mine. As a girl I spent several summers at Lake Forest, which then was very little settled, with friends of the family. I have seen several depressions come and go and am confident that America will come out of this one shortly." Six of Mrs. Schupp's children are still living. They are Lottie L. Jones, Park Ridge; Phil C. Schupp, Chicago; Mrs. David Ash, Louisville, Kentucky; Mrs. Wlliam Fluegge, Morton Grove; Samuel F. Schupp, Chicago, and William N. Schupp, who resides with Mrs. Schupp. There are ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.