Phelps, Barbara A. (Nicholson) Cole 1822-1896

PHELPS, NICHOLSON, COLE

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 10/31/2024 at 10:27:41

DIED - In Mallory township, Clayton county, Iowa, July 15, 1896, Barbara Ann Phelps, aged 73 years, 7 months and 19 days.

Her maiden name was Nicholson. She was born in Ohio, September 22, 1822; removed with her parents to Galena, Illinois, in 1831, thence came to Iowa in 1835, settling in Ede's Grove, where she was married August 9, 1840, to Thomas Cole; the first wedding of white people in Delaware county.

She came with her husband to Colesburg, near which she has lived ever since. Four children were born to them, three of whom survive. Mr. Cole died in 1847.

In 1852 she was married to Alpheus Phelps. Four children were the fruit of this union, three of whom with the bereaved husband remain to mourn her loss.

She was converted when 14 years of age while living in Galena. She was one of the original members of the first Methodist class organized in Colesburg by Rev. Briar, pastor, who appointed her husband, Thomas Cole, leader. She was quite active in church work in her earlier years, but in advanced life, her numerous cares and increasing infirmities prevented such work. For a number of months she had been entirely helpless, requiring the constant attention of her friends.

Yet amid it all, while humble and penitent for past unworthiness, she was trustful and hopeful for the future. Her confidence was implicit in the Savior's promises. She is at peace "where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." --
B.D. Alden

~Manchester Press, Thursday, July 23, 1896; pg 4