Biography - John Schlup
JOHN SCHLUP, one of the leading business men of Greenville, is there engaged in the manufacture of wagons, and as this is one of the most important industries of the city, the proprietor well deserves representation in this volume. His birth occurred near Berne, Switzerland, in 1833. His father, John Schlup, Sr., was also a native of that country, was a wagon maker by trade, and in connection therewith carried on agricultural pursuits. The family numbered four children.
Our subject attended the public schools, and at the age of seventeen bade good-bye to friends and native land, and sailed for America, landing in New York on the 2d of November, 1851. A stranger in a strange land, he was thenceforth dependent upon his own resources. Going to Ohio, he secured work in a coal mine during the winter, and in the following spring began work as a farm hand at $8 per month. After that summer he drove horses on the Ohio Canal until the autumn of 1854, when he came to Madison County, Ill., and located in Highland, where was living his maternal uncle, Michael Mollet, who was engaged in the manufacture of wagons. His uncle wished him to learn the trade, and he did so, serving an apprenticeship of two years. He then worked as a journeyman for a month, after which he bought out his uncle and carried on business for himself for two years.
On the expiration of that period, Mr. Schlup sold and came to Bond County. He helped to lay out the town of Dudleyville, bought lots in the place, built a house and shop, and there carried on wagon-making until 1861, when, at the call of his adopted country for troops, he enlisted in Company D, Third Illinois Cavalry. He went in as a private, but was discharged as a Sergeant. For three years, he faithfully defended the old Hag and the cause it represented, and, with the army of Gen. Curtis, participated in many battles west of the Mississippi. After his discharge, in 1864, he returned to his home, and in September of the same year came to Greenville. For three years he worked at wagon-making in the employ of others, and then commenced business for himself on Second Street, where he remained four .years, when he traded for the brick wagon shop on Third Street, his present location. The wagon shop is 24x50 feet, the smithy and paint shops are both buildings of the same dimensions, and the storage room is 30x36 feet. Employment is furnished some seven men, and he is doing an excellent business.
In 1857, Mr. Schlup was united in marriage with Miss Catherine, daughter of Michael Buchter, a native of Germany. They have two children, Mary and John. The former is now the wife of William Gerkin, of Greenville, and their union has been blessed with two children.
Mr. Schlup is independent in politics. He faithfully served for two years as City Alderman, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows society and the Grand Army of the Republic. Besides his business, he owns two lots and a residence on Fifth Street. He has worked up an excellent trade, and well deserves the liberal patronage which he receives, for his work is done in a first-class manner, and he is upright and honorable in all his dealings. As a citizen, he is public-spirited and progressive, and has done much for the upbuilding and development of the best interests of the community.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 245-246.
