Phelps was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1840. Four years later, on March 4, 1845, he was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-Ninth Congress, and to eight succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1863). During his 18-year term, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means (Thirty-Fifth Congress) and came to be regarded as a champion of government bounties to soldiers, aid to railroads, and inexpensive postage.
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. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1862.
Civil Waredit
At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Phelps returned to Springfield and enlisted as a private in Captain Coleman's Company of Missouri Infantry (Union). He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on October 2, 1861 and to colonel December 19, 1861. Following the 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 infantryregiment 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.[2]
Postbellum activitiesedit
Phelps returned to Springfield in 1864 to resume his law practice. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Missouri in 1868, but in 1876 was elected to the position as the only candidate who could successfully lead Northern and Southern factions in the state. During his tenure as governor, Phelps supported currency reform and increased support for 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.
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources John S Phelps news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2020 Learn how and when to remove this template message 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 John S Phelps23rd Governor of MissouriIn office January 8 1877 January 10 1881LieutenantHenry C BrockmeyerPreceded byCharles Henry HardinSucceeded byThomas T CrittendenMember of theU S House of Representativesfrom MissouriIn office March 4 1845 March 3 1863Preceded byJames Madison HughesSucceeded byAustin Augustus KingConstituencyAt large 1845 1847 5th district 1847 1853 6th district 1853 1863 Member of the Missouri House of RepresentativesIn office 1840 1844Personal detailsBorn 1814 12 22 December 22 1814Simsbury ConnecticutDiedNovember 20 1886 1886 11 20 aged 71 St Louis MissouriPolitical partyDemocraticSpouseMary WhitneyProfessionAttorney Contents 1 Early life and career 2 Civil War 3 Postbellum activities 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksEarly life and career editJohn Smith Phelps the son of Elisha Phelps was born in Simsbury Hartford County 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 Missouri House of Representatives in 1840 Four years later on March 4 1845 he was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty Ninth Congress and to eight succeeding Congresses March 4 1845 March 3 1863 During his 18 year term he served as Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means Thirty Fifth Congress and came to be regarded as a champion of government bounties to soldiers aid to railroads and inexpensive postage 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 He was not a candidate for renomination in 1862 Civil War editAt the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 Phelps returned to Springfield and enlisted as a private in Captain Coleman s Company of Missouri Infantry Union He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on October 2 1861 and to colonel December 19 1861 Following the 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 2 Postbellum activities editPhelps returned to Springfield in 1864 to resume his law practice He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Missouri in 1868 but in 1876 was elected to the position as the only candidate who could successfully lead Northern and Southern factions in the state During his tenure as governor Phelps supported currency reform and increased support for 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 See also edit nbsp American Civil War portalList of American Civil War generals Union References edit 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 John S Phelps and Mary Whitney Connecticut Marriages 1729 1867 Family Search Retrieved 12 Mar 2014 Warner Ezra Generals in Blue Lives of the Union Commanders Baton Rouge Louisiana State University Press 1964External links edit John Smith Phelps Generals and Brevets Archived from the original on February 8 2008 Retrieved September 18 2005 United States Congress John S Phelps id P000296 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved on 2008 11 01Party political officesPreceded byThomas Lawson Price Democratic nominee for Governor of Missouri1868 Succeeded byBenjamin Gratz BrownPreceded byCharles Henry Hardin Democratic nominee for Governor of Missouri1876 Succeeded byThomas Theodore CrittendenU S House of RepresentativesPreceded byJames Madison Hughes Member of the U S House of Representatives from Missouri s 5th congressional district1845 1853 Succeeded byJohn Gaines MillerPreceded byNone Member of the U S House of Representatives from Missouri s 6th congressional district1853 1863 Succeeded byAustin Augustus KingPolitical officesPreceded byCharles Henry Hardin Governor of Missouri1877 1881 Succeeded byThomas T Crittenden Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John S Phelps amp oldid 1154760691, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
