John Smith Phelps
Born: December 22, 1814
Birthplace: Simsbury, Connecticut
Father: U.S. Congressman Elisha Phelps 1779 – 1847
(Buried: Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Connecticut)
Mother: Lucy Smith 1791 – 1847
(Buried: Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Connecticut)
Wife: Mary Whitney 1812 – 1878
(Buried: Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri)
Children:
Brevet Brig. General John Elisha Phelps 1839 – 1921
(Buried: Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri)
Thomas Benton Phelps 1842 – 1842
(Buried: Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri)
Lucy Jane Phelps 1844 – 1847
(Buried: Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri)
Mary Ann Phelps Montgomery 1846 – 1943
(Buried: River View Cemetery, Portland, Oregon)
Lucy Jane Phelps 1850 – 1858
(Buried: Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri)
Education:
1832: Graduated from Trinity College
Occupation before War:
Attorney in Simsbury, Connecticut
Attorney in Springfield, Missouri
1840 – 1844: Missouri State Representative
1845 – 1863: U.S. Congressman from Missouri
1857 – 1859: Congressional Chairman of Ways and Means Committee
Civil War Career:
1845 – 1863: U.S. Congressman from Missouri
1861: Enlisted as Private in Captain Coleman’s Union Company
1861: Lt. Colonel in the Union Army
1861 – 1862: Colonel in the Union Army
1861: Served in the Union defeat at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek
1861: His Wife cared for the body of Brig. General Nathaniel Lyon
1862: Appointed Brig. General and Military Governor of Arkansas
1862: Mustered out of the Union Army on May 13th due to bad health
1863: His promotion to Brig. General was expired due to no confirmation
Occupation after War:
Attorney in Springfield, Missouri
1868: Unsuccessful Candidate for office of Governor of Missouri
1877 – 1881: Governor of Missouri
Supporter of currency reform and support for public education
Known as one of the best Governor’s of Missouri
Died: November 20, 1886
Place of Death: Saint Louis, Missouri
Age at time of Death: 71 years old
Burial Place: Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri
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