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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Charles S. PHELPS 

Pages 294-295, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: EWAN, JACKSON, KELSEY, PHELPS, PICKERING, SMITH] 

    
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 give 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 been have 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.