MYRON PHELPS, M. D.

Dr. Myron Phelps, who is the leading physician and surgeon of Van Wert, was born in Waterloo, Iowa, February 17, 1866, a son of Stephen and Amelia (McComb) Phelps. The father was born February 6, 1839, in Fulton county, Illinois, of English stock and for over fifty years has been a minister of the Presbyterian church, having been ordained in 1861 at Sioux City, Iowa. He made a thorough educational preparation for his life work and is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College of Washington, Pennsylvania. He has continued an earnest student of men and affairs and was for eight years president of Coe College at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His clear insight into conditions and his power of constructive thought have been recognized and he is a prominent figure in his church in the middle west. He has gained considerable reputation as a speaker and has addressed many important gatherings. Although he was for eight years president of Coe College, as before stated, the greater part of his life has been devoted to pastoral work and he has served the charges at Sioux City, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs, Iowa, and is now pastor of the church at Bellevue, Nebraska. He was married in Fulton county, Illinois, to Miss Amelia McComb, who was born on the 27^th of December, 1838, and who died at Vinton, Iowa, three decades ago. Subsequently he married Miss Sadie Miller, of Vinton, who is still living.

Dr. Myron Phelps acquired his early education in the public schools and was later for several years a student at Coe College at Cedar Rapids. Upon leaving that institution he entered the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1891 with the degree of M. D. He first located for practice at Harlan, Iowa, and remained there for two years, but in the fall of 1893 he came to Van Wert, where he has since remained. He has advanced steadily in his profession and as his knowledge and skill have grown his practice has increased proportionately and his is now recognized as the foremost physician and surgeon of this place. He has never allowed himself to think that his student days are over, but has continued to read widely along the lines of medical science and has kept informed of the advance which is continually being made in the knowledge of the cause and cure of disease.

Dr. Phelps was married in 1897 to Miss Olive Blades, a daughter of W. J. and Agnes (Rockhold) Blades, the former a native of Kentucky. He was a farmer by occupation and located on land in Decatur county, Iowa, at an early day in the history of this section. During the Civil war he served as a member of a Iowa regiment but after he had been at the front a year his leg was broken by a kick from a horse and he was honorably discharged from the army. He returned to the farm in Long Creek township, this county, which he had entered from the government before the war, and again gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. He passed away on his place, which comprised two hundred and eighty acres of excellent land, on the 25^th of December, 1912. His wife was a native of Fulton county, Illinois, but their marriage occurred at Mount Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa. She is now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Phelps.

Dr. Phelps is independent in politics, voting for the candidate whom he deems best suited for the office in question without regard to his political affiliation. He belongs to the Decatur County Medical Society and for two terms was health physician of Van
Wert, doing much valuable work in behalf of public hygiene during his connection with that office. His wife is a member of the Christian church. During the two decades and more that Dr. Phelps has resided in Van Wert he has not only won an enviable professional reputation but has also gained the respect of and warm regard of all with whom he has come in contact.