Josephine (Stombs) Blackburn Shupp was born on February 20, 1850, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Harriet Stombs. In 1867, she married Cornelius Emmett Blackburn in Petaluma, California, and they had four children: Benjamin Franklin, Arthur Edward, Amanda F. “Minnie” (Mrs. Andy) Weishaar and Ida May (Mrs. George) McIlrath.

Josephine moved in 1876 to Aslin Mill, six miles east of Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona Territory, where she lived with her children and mother. They ran a boarding house. In Skull Valley on September 27, 1880, Josephine married Alfred Shupp, who had been a member of the Joseph R. Walker party.

The Weekly Arizona Miner had predicted this in the June 18, 1880, issue: "Alfred Shupp of Skull Valley came up from his home accompanied by a lady of the same valley. Both of these parties are single, and it looks a little suspicious to see our friend Shupp in broad cloth." The wedding itself was described in detail in the Arizona Weekly Miner's October 1, 1880, issue.

Josephine and Alfred had a son, Chester Shupp (1881), whose wife, Nellie, is also represented in the Territorial Women’s Memorial Rose Garden. Alfred died in 1899. Josephine’s daughter, Ida May McIlrath, is also represented in the Rose Garden.

Josephine was lovingly called "Grandma Shupp." Her home was always open to friends, and many families looked to her as the community nurse.

Josephine died on August 22, 1945, and was buried in the Skull Valley Cemetery.

Donor: Ida McIlrath
Photo Location: PB-146, F-25, I-10
Updated: 4/28/2015, Gretchen Hough Eastman