COL Phelps, John Smith

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)​

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Thomas Benton Phelps 1842 – 1842​

(Buried: Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri)​

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Lucy Jane Phelps 1844 – 1847​

(Buried: Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri)​

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Mary Ann Phelps Montgomery 1846 – 1943​

(Buried: River View Cemetery, Portland, Oregon)​

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Lucy Jane Phelps 1850 – 1858​

(Buried: Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri)​

Education:

1832: Graduated from Trinity College​

Occupation before War:

Attorney in Simsbury, Connecticut​

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Attorney in Springfield, Missouri​

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1840 – 1844: Missouri State Representative​

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1845 – 1863: U.S. Congressman from Missouri​

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1857 – 1859: Congressional Chairman of Ways and Means Committee​

Civil War Career:

1845 – 1863: U.S. Congressman from Missouri​

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1861: Enlisted as Private in Captain Coleman's Union Company​

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1861: Lt. Colonel in the Union Army​

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1861 – 1862: Colonel in the Union Army​

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1861: Served in the Union defeat at the Battle of Wilson's Creek​

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1861: His Wife cared for the body of Brig. General Nathaniel Lyon​

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1862: Appointed Brig. General and Military Governor of Arkansas​

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1862: Mustered out of the Union Army on May 13th​ due to bad health​

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1863: His promotion to Brig. General was expired due to no confirmation​

Occupation after War:

Attorney in Springfield, Missouri​

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1868: Unsuccessful Candidate for office of Governor of Missouri​

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1877 – 1881: Governor of Missouri​

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Supporter of currency reform and support for public education​

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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

 

[Pollaco]

His appointment to brigadier generalship and military governorship of Arkansas both came in 1862. Lincoln wanted a loyal union man who was also an attorney/politician for the governorship of Arkansas and figured a brigadier general would bring a little more authority to the job.

 

[John Hartwell]

Mexico, Mo. Ledger, October 25, 1886: