William A. Phelps 1855-1914

PHELPS, VARNEY, COLBERT, PETTIS, MILLETT

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/14/2018 at 10:26:28

15 January 1914 - West Branch Times

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Wm. A. Phelps, who had just moved from his farm in Johnson county to his farm near Springdale, was stricken with paralysis Saturday afternoon at West Liberty. Soon after the attack he became unconscious and remained so till his death, which took place on Monday morning at 3:30 o'clock. The funeral took place from the M.E. church at Springdale yesterday morning.

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William Alexander Phelps, son of James and Hannah Phelps, was born August 31, 1855, at Mt. Union, Ohio.

In 1866 he moved to Cedar county, Iowa, with the family, where he grew to manhood.

On December 12, 1876, he was united in marriage to Anna Varney, they making their home on the farm near Springdale, where he resided until 1911.

To this union seven children were born, Henry H.; who resides on the home place; George A., of West Branch; Howard L., of Fergus Fals, Minn.; Louis V., of Crookston, Minn.; Herbert P. of Minneapolis, Minn.; Hannah May Colbert of Tacoma, Wash.; and James Allen, who died in his infancy.

In January, 1911, he was united in marriage to Sade J. Pettis of West Branch, Iowa. They made their home near Iowa City until a few days before his death, when they moved back to the neighborhood northeast of Springdale, where he passed away at 3:00 a.m., Jan. 12, 1914, at the age of 58 years, 4 months, 11 days.

He leaves to mourn his departure, a wife, two brothers, George and Albert, who reside near Springdale, one sister, Mrs. G. S. Millett, of Hudson, S.D., five sons, one daughter, three grandchildren and a host of friends.

For some time his family and near friends had realized his health was rapidly failing, but no one knew the seriousness of his condition until last Saturday, when he was overcome by a stroke from which he did not rally.

Probaby no man in the county was more widely known in a business way than was W. A. Phelps. He had bought and sold stock in this and adjoining counties for many years, and men who dealt with him once were willing to do so again, thus testifying to his honesty in business affairs. His was a generous nature. He was quick to respond to an appeal for help from friend or neighbor. He wanted the best for his children in the way of educational advantages and was proud of the fact that all of them graduated from the Springdale High school, and five of them from the State University. His children will sadly miss the good advice and counsel he was always ready to give.

Mr.Phelps knowing that death was imminent, met the knowledge with the same indomitable courage with which he met all the vicissitudes of life. Although in failing health for some time, he had no thought of retiring to a life of ease. His pleasure was in doing things, and he was a tireless worker. He was taken almost in the fulness of life and will be mourned by a host of friends.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Wm. Mitchell at the Springdale M.E. church. The members of the Masonic lodge at West Branch, of which he had long been a member, had charge at the cemetery.