Yolo-Colusa County CA Archives Obituaries.....Phelps, Thomas Marshall July 13, 1903 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Gordon Merritt gmerritt783@yahoo.com August 20, 2009, 3:45 pm July 14, 1903 Woodland Weekly Democrat Woodland Democrat, Woodland, California July 14, 1903 T M Phelps is death His Honorable Life Closed on Tuesday Evening Funeral will be held on Thursday at 2 pm From the Residence on Westcott Street Thomas Marshall Phelps died at the family residence, 404 Westcott Street, Tuesday evening a few minutes after _____ o’clock. His passing was peaceful and painless, and he retained consciousness until the last. He had been in failing health for some time but his illness did not assume a serious and alarming character until the 2nd of July. On that day while on the street he was sticken down and was taken home. From that day until the hour of his death he was outside but once. Tuesday evening he sat for some time in an invalid’s chair near the window. His faithful wife, who rarely left his side during his last illness, noticed a peculiar palor creeping over his face, and she concluded that the end was near, although she did not communicate her fears to anyone. About 7 o’clock he asked to be put on his bed. T. J. Hutchinson, who was nursing him, assisted by Mrs. Phelps, laid him upon his bed with as much expedition and gentleness as possible. “Wait on me quick wife, I cannot stand this long” Was his last utterance. He gasped two or three times and all was over. Thomas Marshall Phelps, was a native of Dixon Springs, Smith County, Tennessee. 74 years, 8 months, and 15 days old. When he was 11 years of age he moved with his parents to Platt County, Missouri. At the age of 21, or in the year 1849, he crossed the plains to California., driving an ox-team. He first located at Hangtown. For ten years he engaged in mining in various mining districts in California. After abandoning mining he moved to Solano county, he engaged stock raising and farming in the Suscol Hills. He was successful, but having an opportunity to sell out to good advantage he disposed of his land and cattle and moved to Colusa county, where he engaged in the same business. Eleven or twelve years ago he decided to retire from active business. He sold his faming and stock business and moved to Woodland. He first occupied the Labshire house, on Third Street near Main. He afterward purchased the Wishart place, on Westcott Street. After a residence there of 9 months he purchased the home in which he died. On November 6, 1870, the deceased was married to Miss Teresa A Stapp, of Grand Island, Colusa county, who survives him. No children were born to them. Mr. Phelps left a sister and two brothers. H.C. Phelps lives in Jackson County, Missouri. Mrs Lucy Nolan is a resident of Wichita, Kansas, and another brother Grant Phelps lives with her. Mr. Phelps was a member of Kights of Honor, in which order her carried an insurance policy. He was not a member of any denominational church. His devoted wife, in speaking of this matter said, “His religion was to do good and be kind to everybody,” and those who knew Mr. Phelps intimately can testify that his life compainion spoke in all sincerity and truth when she said that he practiced the religion of charity and love for his fellow man. It is not for us to discuss metaphysical or polemic theology, but we know that Mr. Phelps was a good man and inspired by that sentiment which teaches peace on earth and good will to men. He was a loyal husband, true friend and faithful citizen. What faults he may have had, and he had none save those which are common to frail humanity, they were insignificant when compaired with his many good qualities and noble attributes of character. The funeral services will be held on Thursday. There will be funeral services at the family residence at 2 pm conducted by the Rev. O P Shrout. Internment will be in the city cemetery. Additional Comments: Dallas Public Library has a copy of a letter he send to his Uncle Robert Phelps in 1849 telling him that he will be going to California for the Gold Rush. A history book tells that he drove a team of oxen at age 21 to California, and was swept off of a raft and almost drowned. His father, Thomas Phelps, had a large plantation in Platte County, Missouri. He had eighteen slaves and lots of family to help grow a lot of produce to send off on the Missouri at Weston, Missouri. He made a lot of money, but died in 1851 of cholera. His brother William S Phelps helped him farm near Grand Island, Colusa county. He died at College City in May 1887. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/obits/p/phelps4062gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb