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{{short description|Politician and soldier during the American Civil War, and the 23rd Governor of Missouri}}
{{short description|Politician and soldier during the American Civil War, and the 23rd Governor of Missouri}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox Governor
{{Infobox officeholder
|image= John smith phelps.jpg
|image= John smith phelps.jpg
|caption=
|caption=
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|predecessor1= [[Charles Henry Hardin]]
|predecessor1= [[Charles Henry Hardin]]
|successor1=[[Thomas Theodore Crittenden|Thomas T. Crittenden]]
|successor1=[[Thomas Theodore Crittenden|Thomas T. Crittenden]]
⚫
|office2 = Member of the<br>[[U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Missouri]]
|state2= [[Missouri]]
⚫
|term_start2 = March 4, 1845
|district2= [[Missouri's 6th congressional district|6th]]
|term_start2= March 4, 1853
|term_end2 = March 3, 1863
|constituency2 = {{ushr|MO|AL|At-large}} (1845–1847)<br>{{ushr|MO|5|C}} (1847–1853)<br>{{ushr|MO|6|C}} (1853–1863)
|term_end2= March 3, 1863
⚫
|predecessor2 = [[James Madison Hughes]]
|preceded2= ''District created''
|succeeded2= [[Austin Augustus King|Austin A. King]]
|successor2 = [[Austin Augustus King]]
|state3= [[Missouri]]
|office3= Member of the [[Missouri House of Representatives]]
⚫
|term3= 1840-1844
|district3= [[Missouri's at-large congressional district|at-large]] and [[Missouri's 5th congressional district|5th]]
⚫
|term_start3= March 4, 1845 (at-large)
|term_end3= March 3, 1853 (5th)
⚫
|preceded3= [[James Madison Hughes]] (at-large)
|succeeded3= [[John Gaines Miller|John G. Miller]] (5th)
|office4= Member of the [[Missouri House of Representatives]]
⚫
|term4= 1840-1844
|birth_date= {{birth date|1814|12|22}}
|birth_date= {{birth date|1814|12|22}}
|birth_place= [[Simsbury, Connecticut|Simsbury]], [[Connecticut]]
|birth_place= [[Simsbury, Connecticut|Simsbury]], [[Connecticut]]
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==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
John Smith Phelps, the son of [[Elisha Phelps]], was born in [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut]]. He attended common schools and then studied law at [[Trinity College (Connecticut)|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,<ref>{{cite web|title=John S. Phelps and Mary Whitney|url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F7PH-TJV|work=Connecticut, Marriages, 1729-1867|publisher=Family Search|access-date=12 Mar 2014}}</ref> he moved to [[Springfield, Missouri]], and quickly became one of the leading lawyers in southwest Missouri.
John Smith Phelps, the son of [[Elisha Phelps]], was born in [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Simsbury, Connecticut]]. He attended common schools and then studied law at [[Trinity College (Connecticut)|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 Phelps|Mary Whitney]] on April 20, 1837,<ref>{{cite web|title=John S. Phelps and Mary Whitney|url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F7PH-TJV|work=Connecticut, Marriages, 1729-1867|publisher=Family Search|access-date=12 Mar 2014}}</ref> 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 [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] to the [[Twenty-ninth United States Congress|Twenty-Ninth Congress]], and to eight succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1845{{spaced ndash}}March 3, 1863). During his 18-year term, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means ([[Thirty-fifth United States Congress|Thirty-Fifth Congress]]) and came to be regarded as a champion of government bounties to soldiers, aid to railroads, and inexpensive postage.
Phelps was elected to the [[Missouri House of Representatives]] in 1840. Four years later, on March 4, 1845, he was elected as a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] to the [[Twenty-ninth United States Congress|Twenty-Ninth Congress]], and to eight succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1845{{spaced ndash}}March 3, 1863). During his 18-year term, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means ([[Thirty-fifth United States Congress|Thirty-Fifth Congress]]) and came to be regarded as a champion of government bounties to soldiers, aid to railroads, and inexpensive postage.<ref>Phelps, John S. (John Smith), 1814-1886. Receipt, 1864 [https://files.shsmo.org/manuscripts/rolla/R0562.pdf]


[[State Historical Society of Missouri|The State Historical Society of Missouri]] </ref>
⚫
Phelps was popular in Washington, D.C. and at home. In 1857 Missourians honored him by naming the newly created county of [[Phelps County, Missouri|Phelps]] after him. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1862.

⚫
Phelps was popular in Washington, D.C. and at home. In 1857 Missourians honored him by naming the newly created county of [[Phelps County, Missouri|Phelps]] after him.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.phelpscounty.org/history/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Phelps County |language=en-US}}</ref> He was not a candidate for renomination in 1862.


==Civil War==
==Civil War==
At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Phelps returned to Springfield and enlisted as a [[private (rank)|private]] in Captain Coleman's Company of Missouri Infantry (Union). He was promoted to [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] on October 2, 1861 and to [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] December 19, 1861. Following the [[Union army|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, Missouri|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&mdash;62 as the garrison of Fort Wyman at Rolla. In March 1862, Phelps led his regiment in the fierce fighting at [[Battle of Pea Ridge|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.
At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Phelps returned to Springfield and enlisted as a [[private (rank)|private]] in Captain Coleman's Company of Missouri Infantry (Union). He was promoted to [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] on October 2, 1861 and to [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] December 19, 1861. Following the [[Union army|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, Missouri|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&mdash;62 as the garrison of Fort Wyman at Rolla. In March 1862, Phelps led his regiment in the fierce fighting at [[Battle of Pea Ridge|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.<ref>Warner, Ezra. ''Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders''. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1964</ref>


==Postbellum activities==
==Postbellum activities==


Phelps returned to Springfield in 1864 to resume his law practice. He was an [[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1868|unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Missouri in 1868]], but in [[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1876|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.
Phelps returned to Springfield in 1864 to resume his law practice. He was an [[1868 Missouri gubernatorial election|unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Missouri in 1868]], but in [[1876 Missouri gubernatorial election|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.
John Smith Phelps died in [[St. Louis|St. Louis, Missouri]]. He rests in Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Eicher |first1=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fs0Ajlnjl6AC&dq=phelps+Hazelwood+Cemetery&pg=PA676 |title=Civil War High Commands |last2=Eicher |first2=David |date=2002-06-01 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-0-8047-8035-3 |pages=427, 676 |language=en}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:1886 deaths]]
[[Category:1886 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Simsbury, Connecticut]]
[[Category:People from Simsbury, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Governors of Missouri]]
[[Category:Democratic Party governors of Missouri]]
⚫
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri]]
[[Category:Missouri Democrats]]
[[Category:People of Missouri in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:People of Missouri in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Union Army colonels]]
[[Category:Union Army colonels]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri]]
[[Category:Democratic Party state governors of the United States]]
[[Category:19th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:19th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:Deans of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Deans of the United States House of Representatives]]

Latest revision as of 17:03, 23 June 2024

John S. Phelps
23rd Governor of Missouri
In office
January 8, 1877 – January 10, 1881
LieutenantHenry C. Brockmeyer
Preceded byCharles Henry Hardin
Succeeded byThomas T. Crittenden
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri
In office
March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1863
Preceded byJames Madison Hughes
Succeeded byAustin Augustus King
ConstituencyAt-large (1845–1847)
5th district (1847–1853)
6th district (1853–1863)
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
In office
1840-1844
Personal details
Born(1814-12-22)December 22, 1814
Simsbury, Connecticut
DiedNovember 20, 1886(1886-11-20) (aged 71)
St. Louis, Missouri
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMary Whitney
ProfessionAttorney

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.

Early life and career

[edit]

John Smith Phelps, the son of Elisha Phelps, was born in Simsbury, 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.[2]

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.[3] He was not a candidate for renomination in 1862.

Civil War

[edit]

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 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.[4]

Postbellum activities

[edit]

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.[5]

See also

[edit]

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.
  1. ^ "John S. Phelps and Mary Whitney". Connecticut, Marriages, 1729-1867. Family Search. Retrieved 12 Mar 2014.
  2. ^ Phelps, John S. (John Smith), 1814-1886. Receipt, 1864 [1] The State Historical Society of Missouri
  3. ^ "History". Phelps County. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  4. ^ Warner, Ezra. Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1964
  5. ^ Eicher, John; Eicher, David (2002-06-01). Civil War High Commands. Stanford University Press. pp. 427, 676. ISBN 978-0-8047-8035-3.
[edit]
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Missouri
1868 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Missouri
1876 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 5th congressional district
1845–1853 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
None
 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 6th congressional district
1853–1863 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Missouri
1877–1881 		Succeeded by
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