Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 364
FRED S. PHELPS, a pioneer of Muscatine of 1842, was born in Hartford County, town of Simsbury, Conn., Dec. 17, 1809, and is a son of Ozias and Clarissa ( Goddard ) Phelps. He was reared on a farm until seventeen years of age, when he traveled as a peddler of brass clocks and Yankee notions, following that business in the East for five years, when he went South and spent eight years in the clock business and in merchandising, making headquarters at Natchez, Miss. He was also in the lumber business for two years in company with Mr. Brannan. Several years since he fitted up a photograph gallery for his adopted son, Joseph P., and later has fitted up other galleries which he has leased.

Our subject was married at Natchez, Miss., June 4, 1835, to Miss Mary A. Paul, a sister of his brother's wife, and a native of Natchez. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps had no children of their own, but adopted and reared their nephews, Joseph and Charles F. They celebrated their golden wedding three years ago, and both are still hale and hearty. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and has served two years on the City Council, and one year as Assessor. He has been a resident of Muscatine for upward of forty-six years, and is highly respected as a worthy citizen and an upright man.

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