Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 294-295; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Charles S. Phelps, a highly respected resident of
Lewistown, is extensively identified with the agricultural interests of
this county. He is a fine representative of an honored pioneer family
and is a native-born citizen of this State who has materially
contributed to its welfare.
Mr. Phelps was born at Oquawka, July 17, 1836. His father, Capt.
William Phelps, was born November 1, 1809, in Cattaraugus County, N.
Y., of which his father, Stephen Phelps, a native of New England, was
an early settler. The grandfather of our subject continued in his
pioneer home a few years and then again took up the westward march and
came to Illinois, locating in the Sangomoo Country, as Sangamon County
was then called. That was long before the Capital was located at
Springfield, and settlements were few and far between in that wild
region. Mr. Phelps' stay in that region was only for a short time and
he then came to Lewistown and was a pioneer merchant here, opening a
store with a small stock of goods which he had brought from St. Louis.
The Indians were numerous in this section of the country, and a great
deal of his trading was done with them. He was a man of much
enterprise, and became quite prospered, and as the town and country
settled up, his business was extended, and he carried it on
successfully until his death about 1840, when a prominent and valued
citizen was removed from the community. He was quite conspicuous in
political and public affairs, being a Whig in party affiliations, and
at an early day he served as one of the Board of County Commissioners.
The father of our subject was about ten years old when he came
with his parents to Illinois. Some time before he attained his majority
his father gave him his time in the winter season, and he inheriting a
commercial spirit, engaged in trade with the Indians, and thus early
became acquainted with their modes of living, customs and characters.
Later when the Indians were removed from here he went with them to that
portion of Dakota now included in the State of Iowa, and remained among
them several years. By kind treatment he gained their confidence,
learned their language, and became good friends with Keokuk, Black Hawk
and other noted chiefs. In 1830, President Jackson presented Keokuk's
wife with a handsome present, consisting of an elegant cabinet. She
afterwards gave it to Mrs. Phelps mother of our subject, who gave it to
him and he treasures it as a valued memento.
During those early times, for awhile Mr. Phelps commanded a boat
on the Mississippi River, and was at one time Captain of the steamer
"Pavillion." He was one of the early explorers of the lead regions
around Galena. In 1846 he returned to Lewistown and bought quite large
tracts of farm lands in the vicinity and engaged extensively in
agricultural pursuits. He remained a resident here until 1885, then
went to Hastings, Neb., and with the exception of a few visits here,
spent his last years there, his death occurring October 16, 1889. The
maiden name of the wife was Caroline Kelsey and she was also a native
of Cattaraugus County, N. Y. Her father Simeon Kelsey, is supposed to
have been a native of the same State. He came to Illinois in an early
day and was a prominent pioneer of Lewistown. He dealt in stock, and
was quite prospered. He made several trips to the lead mines near
Galena, for the purpose of investigating their merits, and invested
money in them. He made his home in Lewistown until death closed his
mortal career.
Much of the first ten years of the life of our subject was
passed among the Indians in Iowa, which was at that time principally
inhabited by the aborigines, there being but few white settlers
excepting along the streams. During his childhood his mother was sick,
so he was reared by a squaw. He learned to talk in the Indian language
and became expert with the bow and arrow, and often shot deer, antelope
and other wild game that was then plentiful in that region. When he was
ten years old his parents returned to Fulton County, and he attended
the city schools at Lewistown where he laid the basis of a solid
education. He subsequently pursued a two years' course of study at the
Catholic College at St. Louis. After leaving that institution he went
to Fannin County, Tex., for a visit, and was induced to utilize his
learning by teaching a term of school, which was conducted on the
subscription plan, there being no free schools there, and was taught in
a log cabin. In the spring he went to New Orleans and thence came by
way of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers as far as Havana, this
State. He then established himself in business as a grain dealer at
Point Isabella, and carried it on there with good financial success
until 1869.
In that year Mr. Phelps returned to this county and has since
given his attention to agriculture on this fertile soil. He is the
proprietor of a valuable farm, finely located one and one-half miles
from the city, and containing three hundred and twenty acres of land
highly cultivated and capable of yielding large harvests. It is amply
supplied with well-ordered buildings, with good modern machinery and
every appliance for conducting farming operations after the best
methods. In 1886, Mr. Phelps removed to Lewistown and has lived there
ever since in one of the attractive residences in the city.
To the lady who presides over his pleasant home, and renders it
one of coziness and happiness, our subject was united in marriage in
1858. Mrs. Phelps maiden name was Louisa Pickering, and she was born in
Ohio. Her parents, Dillon and Ann Pickering were natives of Ohio and
Maryland respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have two children, Mary L.
and Frank. Mary L., married James T. Ewan, and lives in Lewistown
Township; Frank, who lives on the home farm married Florence Smith, and
they have four children, viz: Captain Charles, Merton, Bernard, and a
babe as yet unnamed.
Mr. Phelps is a man of excellent business habits and stands well
in financial circles. He takes an intelligent interest in politics and
is a faithful adherent to the Republican party. He was enrolling
officer during the war and was twice wounded while faithfully
discharging his duties. He is at the present time Justice of the Peace,
and is filling that office with characteristic ability. He and his wife
are people of social importance and Mrs. Phelps is an esteemed member
of the Presbyterian Church.
