John S. Phelps

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John S. Phelps
Austin Augustus King
ConstituencyAt-large (1845–1847)
5th district (1847–1853)
6th district (1853–1863)
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
In office
1840-1844
Personal details
Born(1814-12-22)December 22, 1814
Simsbury, Connecticut
DiedNovember 20, 1886(1886-11-20) (aged 71)
St. Louis, Missouri
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMary Whitney
ProfessionAttorney

John Smith Phelps (December 22, 1814 – November 20, 1886) was a politician and soldier during the American Civil War, and the 23rd Governor of Missouri.

Early life and career

John Smith Phelps, the son of Elisha Phelps, was born in Simsbury, Connecticut. He attended common schools and then studied law at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, graduating in 1832. He was admitted to the bar in 1835 and commenced practice in Simsbury. After his marriage to Mary Whitney on April 20, 1837,[1] he moved to Springfield, Missouri, and quickly became one of the leading lawyers in southwest Missouri.

Phelps was elected to the

Thirty-Fifth Congress) and came to be regarded as a champion of government bounties to soldiers, aid to railroads, and inexpensive postage.[2]

Phelps was popular in Washington, D.C. and at home. In 1857 Missourians honored him by naming the newly created county of Phelps after him.[3] He was not a candidate for renomination in 1862.

Civil War

At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Phelps returned to Springfield and enlisted as a

Union defeat at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Mary Phelps cared for the body of General Nathaniel Lyon, killed during the battle, while her husband retreated with the Union army to Rolla. By special arrangement with President Abraham Lincoln, Phelps organized an infantry regiment which bore his name, Phelps’s Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry. The regiment spent most of the winter of 1861—62 as the garrison of Fort Wyman at Rolla. In March 1862, Phelps led his regiment in the fierce fighting at Pea Ridge in Arkansas. He was mustered out May 13, 1862. In July 1862, he was appointed by President Lincoln as Military Governor of Arkansas, but he resigned the position due to ill health.[4]

Postbellum activities

Phelps returned to Springfield in 1864 to resume his law practice. He was an

public education
. He retired in 1881, praised as one of Missouri’s best governors.

John Smith Phelps died in St. Louis, Missouri. He rests in Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.[5]

See also

References

  • "Phelps, John Smith". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved September 18, 2005.
  • "Information Sheet: Phelps, John S." Western Historical Manuscript Collection - Rolla. Retrieved September 18, 2005.
  1. ^ "John S. Phelps and Mary Whitney". Connecticut, Marriages, 1729-1867. Family Search. Retrieved 12 Mar 2014.
  2. ^ Phelps, John S. (John Smith), 1814-1886. Receipt, 1864 [1] The State Historical Society of Missouri
  3. ^ "History". Phelps County. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  4. ^ Warner, Ezra. Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1964
  5. ISBN 978-0-8047-8035-3
    .

External links
Party political offices
Preceded by
Thomas Lawson Price
Governor of Missouri
1868
 Succeeded by
Benjamin Gratz Brown
Preceded by
Governor of Missouri
1876
 Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 5th congressional district
1845–1853 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
None
 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 6th congressional district
1853–1863 		Succeeded by
Austin Augustus King
Political offices
Preceded by
Governor of Missouri

1877–1881 		Succeeded by
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