Phelps, Loyal C.

PHELPS, COOK

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 1/23/2013 at 08:01:28

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

PHELPS, LOYAL C.—Grinnell Twp—pg 918-19. On the streets of Grinnell may be seen an elderly gentleman, on whom Time has lightly laid his hand. Erect and hearty he passes among his fellow-citizens respected and beloved for his life of unselfish usefulness. To Loyal C. Phelps, perhaps, more than any other man is due the existence and location of the town of Grinnell in Iowa. In a correspondence with Hon J.B. Grinnell, when he was solicited to join in founding a Congregational colony in Missouri, Mr. Phelps stated that he would not settle in a slave State, but wanted to go where they could have schools. Since his arrival in April, 1854, Mr. Phelps has always been keenly alive to the best interests of the town and has given freely of time and money to further its prosperity. He was born in New Haven, Vermont, January 16, 1807. His father, Matthew, died in the War of 1812, when his son was seven years old. At the age when boys were usually apprenticed he was bound out by his uncle and guardian to a hatter; but this trade being distasteful to him, he did not follow it after the completion of his apprenticeship. Endowed with energy and hope young Phelps went out West, and soon became acquainted with a large part of the western and southern United States. He was in business at different times in Rochester and Buffalo, New York. He was also connected with the first line of transportation on the Ohio Canal and business manager of a line of steamers on the great lakes. In 1839 he returned to his native town and married Miss Jennietta Cook, the eldest daughter of Hubbard Cook. The next year the young couple came to Benton, Lake county, Illinois, and opened a farm where they lived the hard and toilsome life of the early pioneers. Sometime after they returned to Vermont, where Mr. Phelps was connected with the Burlington and Rutland Railroad. From Vermont Mr. Phelps again followed the star of empire to Wisconsin, where he was engaged in farming until 1854, when the family moved to their present home. The people of Grinnell, always enthusiastic on the subject of education, early established a literary fund, of which Mr. Phelps was a trustee and afterward the president. The East College building was built by his fund, and afterward donated to Iowa College upon its removal from Davenport. He was for many years a trustee, and also auditor of Iowa College after its location at Grinnell. He was mayor of the town three terms, and was postmaster for a number of years. He was removed form the latter office by Andrew Johnson, for refusing to subscribe for the circulation of Johnson’ "My Policy" doctrine. In the same letter Mr. Phelps showed his principles and Yankee grit by telling Johnson that he would contribute for the dissemination of Thad Stephen’s speeches in opposition thereto. Mr. Phelps has always held a prominent place in the home of his choice, and is now spending the closing years of his life happy and contented, surrounded by the culture and intelligence of the community he so greatly helped to establish; respected for his far-sightedness in business affairs and honored for the integrity of his life and character.