Clayton county Album
Phelps Family
Mallory twp., Clayton co., Iowa

~contributed by Lyndsay G. Eddy-Bloomberg

Together Alpheus & Barbara had 5 children: William, Evaline, Wilburn, Laura, and Charlie E..

Barbara also had 4 children from a prior marriage to Thomas Cole, who died August 18, 1847. Their children were Hannah, Mary Ann, Thomas (KIA Big Blue River, MO, during the Civil War), and Elizabeth.

Barbara died July 13, 1896. Alpheus died on Aug. 16, 1906 in Mallory twp., they are buried in Oak Hill cemetery, Colony twp., Delaware co. IA.

After Alpheus’ death there was a disagreement between two of his sons: Wilbur and Charlie. He left his estate to his stepdaughter Mary Ann Cole as she took care of him in his final years. However, there was an agreement that if she were to be married or die, then Charlie would inherit the farm.

Alpheus was in debt when he passed away, and the court ruled that the farm would be put up for auction to pay off the debt. Wilbur Phelps already owned a piece of this land and was living there with his family. He wanted to purchase the farm in full. Charlie also wanted the farm and felt as if he was more entitled to the land than his brother. The night before the auction Charlie warned Wilbur that he would shoot him if he “tried to water his horses on Alpheus’ land” but Wilbur proceeded to do so anyways.

I remember my grandfather telling me that after Wilbur was shot his sons Levi and Lincoln were so outraged that they went to confront Charlie. Lincoln had to be restrained from throwing Charlie down a well (this part of the story varies). The same night he was shot Wilbur had secretly went to the court house and purchased the farm the next day.

Wilbur then owned all but 16 of the original 120 acres, the remaining 16 belonging to Charlie. By 1920 Wilbur was able to “consolidate the entire farm”. Charlie left the house and Wilbur and his family moved in.

It was also said that Mary Ann Cole had promised a spinning wheel from Alpheus’ house to Wilbur’s daughter Sylvia. Charlie’s wife, Emily Ann Shaw threatened to shoot Sylvia if she came to collect it and destroyed it instead of giving it to her. It was also said that until the day he died the bullet that Charlie shot into Wilburs thigh remained.

Part of the Phelps homestead still remains in the family today. Annually a Phelps family reunion is held and many descendants of A. H. Phelps continue to live in Clayton County.

Obituary of Barbara (Nicholson) Cole Phelps
Obituary of Alpheus Phelps

Wilbur Phelps & Stella Fishel, 1889

Around the time of their marriage, Wilbur built a home on the family farm in Mallory twp. The house Wilbur built on the family farm ~source: Roger Handke

Wilbur and Stella had 14 children: Lincoln, Levi, Sylvia, Mary / Millie, Pleazzy 'Dessie', John, Stella, Ross, Merton, Martin, Otto, Opal, Lucile, and Wilbur.

Wilbur & Stella Phelps family 1908
~source: Roger Handke

Front L-R: Wilbur, Merton, Stella, Otto, Martin, Stella & Opal
Back L-R: Sylvia, Lincoln, Dessie, Mary & Levi

Note: Daughter Pleazzy Odessa was nicknamed Dessie

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Wilbur & Stella Phelps with their adult children
~source: Roger Handke

Standing L-R: Martin, Lucile, Merton, Mary, Lincoln, Wilbur, Otto, Dessie, Levi & Stella
Seated L-R: Opal, Wilbur, Stella & Sylvia

Note: Daughter Pleazzy Odessa was nicknamed Dessie

Wilbur died on Dec 20 1929 at the family home in Colesburg. Stella died May 7, 1936. They are buried in Oak Hill cemetery, Colesburg, Delaware co. IA. Obituary of Wilbur Phelps * Obituary of Stella (Fishel) Phelps

See also: Fishel Family Album

Lincoln Phelps with his daughter Opal Phelps

Lincoln later on married Leona Lewis (Stryker) in Seattle Washington who was previously married to Lincoln’s Great Uncle, Allen Brown Lewis. His parents did not approve of this marriage. She brought with her 4 children from 2 prior marriages. Together they had 3 children.