Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Phelps, A. B. 1839 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 9, 2013, 10:15 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

A. B. PHELPS.

A. B. Phelps, residing in Farson, is a veteran of the Civil war and is a retired
farmer, who after long years of active connection with agricultural pursuits is
now enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He has almost
reached the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred
in Ohio, August 27, 1839, his parents being Benjamin B. and Jane (McCall)
Phelps, both of whom were natives of Ohio, where they were reared and married.
After residing in that state for a number of years they came to Wapello county,
Iowa, in 1852 and settled on a farm in Competine township, where he resided to
the time of his death, which occurred in 1875. For four years he has survived
his wife, who passed away in 1871. In their family were sixteen children: A. B.;
Abigal B., who is the wife of L. Eller, of Wapello county; Josiah, living in
Mason City, Iowa; Steven V., whose home is in Nebraska; Mary, the wife of B. I.
Stevens of Hedrick; William, also living in Nebraska; Leonidas, who makes his
home in the same state; and nine who have passed away.

A. B. Phelps remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age and then, his
patriotic spirit being aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the
Union, he enlisted for active service in the Civil war as a member of Company I,
First Iowa Cavalry, with which he served throughout the period of hostilities.
He took part in several skirmishes, fighting the bushwhackers of Missouri, and
although he was continuously in active duty he returned home without a scratch.
He was mustered out in Texas and at once came again to Iowa.

Mr. Phelps then turned his attention to farming on his own account, purchasing
forty acres of land in Competine township, which he developed and improved
through the succeeding year. He then sold that property and purchased a farm of
four hundred and eighty acres upon which he made his home until he retired. He
then removed to Farson, where he has since spent his days in the enjoyment of
well earned rest. He had brought his farm to a high state of cultivation, for
the methods which he followed in tilling the soil were at once practical and
progressive. The place was divided into fields of convenient size by well kept
fences and there were substantial barns and outbuildings for the shelter of
grain and stock, while the latest improved machinery was secured to promote the
work of the fields. In his business management he showed good judgment and
unfaltering enterprise and thus gained the success which is now his.

On the 18th of October, 1866, Mr. Phelps was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Dickens, who was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas M.
and Elizabeth (Staley) Dickens, the former a native of North Carolina and the
latter of Virginia. When children they became residents of Ohio and with their
respective parents lived in log cabins for some years during the pioneer epoch
in the history of that state. In 1845 they came to Iowa, casting in their lot
with the early settlers of this state, and here Mr. Dickens entered land. Not a
furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon his place, but with
characteristic energy he began its development and soon had an excellent farm,
upon which he remained until his life's labors were ended in 1885. His wife
passed away in 1863. In their family were ten children: Mrs. Phelps; George; and
eight who have passed away. In 1864 the father married again and had two
children by that union, but both are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phelps six
children were born. Mary E. is the wife of C. Canfield and they reside in Los
Angeles, California. Otis O. of Dryad, Washington, married Esther Forrest and of
their four children one is deceased. Thomas M. has passed away, leaving a widow,
Nellie (Tade) Phelps and three sons, who reside on a farm near Agency, Iowa.
Elzie E. and Ella E. are twins. The former is a resident of Delta, Iowa, where
he is vice president of a bank. He married Effie Rupe, of Hedrick, and they have
four children. Ella E. is the wife of M. G. Whiting, by whom she has three
children, and they reside on the old home place. Mattie J., the youngest member
of the family, is the wife of Thomas J. Hawthorne. They have four children and
are also residing on the old homestead.

Mr. Phelps has given his political allegiance to the republican party since age
conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has filled the office of justice
of the peace and was treasurer of the school board for nineteen years.
Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army post. No. 424, and both he and
his wife are members of the Baptist church, in which he has served as a deacon
for thirty years. In his Christian faith is found the motive springs of his
conduct. His entire life has been guided by the teachings of the church, and all
who know him bear testimony to the fact that he possesses many excellent traits
of character, which have made him worthy the high regard of all with whom he has
come in contact.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914


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