Phelps, George 1833 - 1907

PHELPS, EVANS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/5/2022 at 16:13:11

Source: Decorah Republican Nov 14, 1907, P2 C2

GEORGE PHELPS DEAD.
Decorah’s Pioneer Wagon Maker Passes Away at His Home in England.
On Friday last E. W. Hoyt received a cablegram from Cheltenham, England, announcing the death on Wednesday of Mr. George Phelps. The message contained no further information but it is inferred that the remains will be sent to Decorah for burial.
There is no one here to whom reference can be made as to the important events in Mr. Phelps’ life, but in Alexander’s History of Winneshiek county the following sketch, undoubtedly furnished by Mr. Phelps himself says:--
Geo. Phelps is a native of Wales, born in 1832{?}; emigrated to the U. S. in 1851; lived near Chicago until 1854, in which year he settled in Decorah. He at once engaged in manufacturing, and built the first wagons and buggies in Winneshiek county. A few years subsequently he added a stock of carriage hardware, in which line he afterwards did a wholesale as well as retail business. He also dealt very heavily in farming implements and machinery so that his business amounted to $125,000 annually. This he continued until 1872, since which time he has been doing a brokerage business. He also owns huge amounts of real estate in Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota. Mr. Phelps has traveled over a great part of the U. S. and Europe, having crossed the Atlantic a great many times, and has resided about two years in Chicago. He is plain and unassuming in his manners, and always attends strictly to business.
Mr. Phelps was a shrewd business man and made money rapidly in the days when two and three per cent a month was the average charge, and more than ten per cent was by common consent regarded as allowable. He also inherited wealth, all of which he invested wisely. During his residence here his place of business was on the ground where the city hall now stands; and his residence was on the property now occupied by Mrs. C. W. Allison on the corner of Main and Court streets. He built the main part of the building as it now stands.
Mr. Phelps was twice married. By his first wife, who died in 1860, a son was born who lived to manhood ere he died. The two were buried in the Decorah cemetery. Upon their tomb Mr. Phelps spent a large sum of money in earlier years and later in life, after a reorganization of the cemetery had been affected by which a legally existing corporate body self perpetuating in its nature had been created, he added other expenditures. Of these there was, first, the entrance gate or archway at the northeast corner of the grounds, and second, the handsome and costly receiving vault, designed and since used when the rigors of winter made the old fashioned burial an added grief to those who were compelled to lay away loved ones during that season.
In 1876 Mr. Phelps married Miss Anna M. Evans of New York and preparations for residing here were made; but two or three years later circumstances caused an alteration of plans, and they removed to England. Thither he transferred the greater portion of his wealth, which by that time had become considerable. An estate was bought near to Cheltenham, wherein he died; but for many years Mr. Phelps regularly visited the United State to look after remaining investments, and it was his habit to arrive here prior to Decoration Day in order to participate in these services, to deposit his tribute of affection upon the graves of those who have slept so long in Decorah (now Phelps) cemetery. If ever he failed to pay these visits ample provision was made for the decoration of these graves.
For these and other good reasons it is supposed that the cemetery will be remembered in Mr. Phelps’ will; but of this no one is authorized to make more than a reasonable guess.
Besides his wife he is survived by one sister Miss Lizzie Phelps of Chicago.

Transcriber's Note: Find a Grave shows his gravestone indicating he was born May 4, 1833 and died Nov. 7. 1907.

Phelps Cemetery
 

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