John Phelps Narrative, Part 4

 

lived at John Phelps farm at Rockvale Township, Ogle County, Ill. [US Census, 1870, Microfilm 593-265, Ogle Co., Ill., at US Archives, Seattle Branch]. Wesley Johnston and family were living in "pioneer cottage", the original double cabin, on the John Phelps farm.]

 

 

----------------

                    (No.26.)

              Act of Feb.14, 1871 -- War of 1812

              Department of the Interior,

                   Pension Office,

                   Washington, D.C., Mar. 28, 1872

Sir

 

You are hereby notified that your claim for pension, No. 14695, under act of February 14, 1871, has been allowed at eight dollars per month [worth $186 in 2021], commencing February 14, 1871, payable at the Pension Agency in Chicago.

 

Your pension certificate has been issued and sent to the Pension Agent at Chicago., who will forward it to you, upon receipt thereof, and quarterly thereafter, proper vouchers will explain when and how they shall be executed by you, and how the payment thereupon will be made.

 

The fee to be paid you attorney for the prosecution of your claim is $10.

 

                     Very respectfully,

                     (signed) E.H. Baker, Commissioner

 

To John Phelps, Oregon, Ogle Co., Ill. 

[Source US Archives, original claim filed on August 31, 1871 (see the letter below regarding this paper)].

    

 

In December 1867, I went to Virginia to see my birthplace and visit relatives, who gave me a warm reception. In viewing what was my father's farm brought many sad feelings to my mind.  The old homestead had been moved off; the only trace that time had left was the stumps of locust trees that had shaded my only home.  Father, mother, brothers, and sisters now sleep the sleep that knows no waking, and that pleasant home is now a dense pine forest, and soon all will be forgotten.  I then went to Tennessee where my parents spent the remainder of their lives; visited their graves, and some old friends who were still living.  I returned home in the month of March following.  I cultivated my vine through the summer, was rewarded by a good crop of grapes in the fall and made about four hundred gallons of wine: have made wine every fall up to this fall of 1873 and have at this time about three thousand gallons on hand, having everything finished up ready for winter.  I concluded to take my daughter Sarah L. Johnston south for the benefit of her health and pleasure, as she was anxious to visit the home of her childhood.

 

We left Oregon on the 20th of November 1873, arrived in Kentucky in two days, enjoying the society of relatives and friends whose hospitality and kind heartedness seems to be a gift of nature, well cultivated.  We remained two weeks in Cynthiana [Harrison County, Kentucky].  Honorable Hugh M. Duffy lived there with wife Fannie Deshea and four children.  Hugh was son of Michael Duffy; Michael and his brother Patrick were merchants at Hartsville and were brothers of Francis Duffy, John Phelps' clerk and partner there. Also, Michael, Patrick, and Francis were sons of Charles Duffy.  Charles was brother-in-law to Hugh Rogan, of Sumner County, Tennessee.  Hugh was brother-in-law to Daniel Carlin, who was Sarah Rogan Carlin Phelps' grandfather. The marriages of the brothers and sisters all took place in Northern Ireland (genealogical research of Bonnie Dietz Baker and Gordon Merritt)], then started again for Gallatin, Tennessee, where we met many friends and relatives, it being in the neighborhood of my own home, where all was bright and beautiful to my untutored mind.  We traveled through all or a large portion of that State: was in Murfreesboro where the battle of Stone River was fought.  We visited an uncle of my wife's, who was one hundred and four years old.  He was in possession of all his faculties except sight: his mind clear and remarkably good.  He was a member of the Baptist Church, and went to hear a sermon every Sunday. [He was Martin Talley, born about 1770, and died October 1875, age 106, Woodbury, Cannon County, Tennessee; buried Edmond Dillon Graveyard, 2 miles south of Cainsville on the Murfreesboro Pike (written statement of Spencer B. Talley, Lebanon, TN, April 6, l9l8)].  Other modern family historians say that he was born September 1770 in Virginia and died in Rutherford County, 19 Oct. 1875 at age 105. He married Hannah Webb, sister of Sarah R. Carlin Phelps' mother Patsy Webb. His brother Spencer Talley married Elizabeth Webb, another sister.  The three sisters were married near Lambsburg, Patrick, now Carroll, County, Virginia (genealogical research of Bonnie Dietz Baker)].  We also went to the Cumberland Mountains: the scenery grand and the valley's fertile, and good health the boast of its inhabitants.  I concluded to go to Texas, as traveling was pleasant, but my daughter did not wish to go by water, so it was agreed that we would go no farther south, and we could meet with no better entertainment than with our relatives, whose kindness will never be forgotten.  We returned and arrived home the third of March 1i874. 

 

 

This closes the narrative of Mr. Phelps.  Mr. Phelps set about clearing up his lawns and making arrangements for spring work, in which he felt greatly interested.  He exposed himself in the cold, damp weather and was taken with a congestive chill on Saturday.  On Sunday he sat up part of the day but on Monday he had another chill.  The physicians held a consultation and exerted all the skill in their power but without avail.  He died on Wednesday at nine o' clock, April 1st, 1874.  He was buried on Good Friday, April 3rd, in Greenwood Cemetery, above Oregon.  Since then, a Scotch granite monument has been erected to his memory, at an expense of $2,000 [$47,200 in 2021]. 

 

 

John Phelps grave marker, Lot 1, Plot 1, Riverview Cemetery, Oregon,on man by the name of Galbraith. 

 

Mr. Phelps, with two others, was commissioned to select three permanent county seats in Northern Illinois.  Oregon being one of them, the first Circuit Court ever held in Ogle County was in his building at Oregon.  He went to the city of Washington and secured the contract for carrying the mail. He then became a partner of the noted stage company Frink & Walker, and thereby brought the first line of stages ever through Oregon.  After Oregon was established as the county seat, it was discovered that in placing the Government stakes by the surveyor, it was about four rods from the proper point and on the quarter section that Mr. Phelps had laid out his town and on which he had spent several thousand dollars in erecting building for taverns, stores, and private dwellings, and, consequently, of great value [$57,000 in 2021]. 

 

A new set of County Commissioners having been elected, they commenced suit to dispossess him of his property.  The suit was taken to the courts at Washington, and, after a long and vexatious suit, Mr. Phelps lost his case and was compelled to buy of the County the lots he improved, at exorbitant prices - whatever value the Commissioners chose to place upon them.  The Attorney for Mr. Phelps at Washington was the noted Francis Scott Key, author of The Star-Spangled Banner. 

 

The first sawmill built in Ogle County was erected by Mr. Phelps on Pine Creek.  He cleared the first year $5,000.00 [$142,000 value in 2021], and it was run for many years - until it was worn out.  An exciting time commenced with said mill occurred shortly after it commenced running.  There was a large number of logs he had caused to be hauled to the mill, and, at the time, a man living near Dixon claimed the land on which the mill stood, and one day he brought ten or twelve teams and commenced hauling the logs away from the mill.  The lawyers put in a protest and sent word to Mr. Phelps at his farm six miles away.  The next day, Mr. Phelps mustered his neighbors and brothers to go down and give battle, he taking command and telling them that no man was to strike a blow only as he directed.  He thought his brothers and himself could defeat the pirates; if not, he them would order the charge.  They numbered about fifty men.  They went on horseback in single file.  The enemy were busy hauling the logs and he ordered his brothers to lead off and attack the leading men, which they did by knocking them down.  The enemy seeing what was taking place, ran away - two or three of them - leaving their teams.  The parties knocked down called for quarters, which were granted, they agreeing to go away and surrender any claim they had set up, and not molest or interfere with anything in the future.  The teams were given up to them, so the war ended. 

 

The following is an extract from a letter received from a gentleman living in Tennessee, who was an intimate friend:

 

"I have been acquainted with Mr. Phelps sixty years, having formed his acquaintance in 1816.  The most prominent trait in my mind was in the campaign of New Orleans in 1814 and 1815; that long journey from his father's house, through a wilderness and savage country, swimming swollen water courses, steering his course by the moss on the trees, without the sign of a track that human footsteps had made to travel on, until he affected a junction with the army.  This was a feat of suffering and patriotic heroism, and devotion to his country's service, which perhaps could not be found again amongst an army if one hundred thousand boys of eighteen summers, which was about his age when he set out on that campaign."

 

Another gentleman of Tennessee says Mr. Phelps was the greatest benefactor of the public in that region, as his enterprise kept the country in a flourishing condition.  He bought the produce of several counties around him when there was no market for it and made provision for freighting for those who professed to do so and transacted their business in distant parts of the country and cities. 

Before the use of steamboats, they used flat and keel boats, and the first steamer that ever ascended the River above Nashville was chartered and freighted by him.  Hartsville being her destination, we loaded there for New Orleans.  The name of the boat was "President".  Thousands of people lined the Banks of the River to get the first view ever had of a steamboat.  The boat load consisted principally of cotton and tobacco, also farm products, such as are raised in that climate, were sent off to market.  Amongst the oddities of commerce of that day, peacock feathers formed an item.  One old lady had her feathers manufactured into fly brushes.  She sent ten of them to New Orleans by Mr. Phelps and received, as a net return, sixty dollars [worth $1358 in 2021] or at the rate of ten dollars each. 

 

Taking him all in all, he was a remarkable man.  He had an indomitable will.  When he undertook an enterprise, it was forced through to an end, whether it was a success or a failure.  he never swerved from the track he had marked out and carried out enterprises that many others in the same circumstances would have become faint-hearted and lost all.  He was a devoted friend and was just to an enemy.  He valued honor far more than wealth or fame.  At his death two physicians stood over him.  One remarked -- "he is conscious to the last and reminds me of some old Roman chieftain, fearing nothing."

 

The following poem was written by J. Willard Glidden, of DeKalb, April 1874, in memory of Mr. Phelps.

 

He hath gone to his rest, how calm he lies sleeping,

No rude wintry storms shall disturb his repose;

Though fond hearts will mourn, and loved ones are weeping,

They would not recall him again to life's woes.

 

He hath gone to his rest; no more we behold him,

The soldier, the hero, the true and the tried;

With the good and the brave they have proudly enrolled him;

Ah, well may we morn when the noble have died.

 

Ah, there let him rest, by the "beautiful river",

Whose waters flow on to the far distant main;

'Mid the scenes that he loved, made glorious forever,

By nature's grand impress, on grove, hill and plain.

 

Long years may depart - and fond hopes may perish,

The spring flowers fade and the gay summers bloom;

Yet dear ones will come, who his memory still cherish,

With sweet immortelles to regarland his tomb.

 

 

 

 

Like a sheaf fully ripe, when the harvest we gather,

He bowed his aged form when the death angel passed;

A husband beloved, a kind gentle father,

A patriarch faithful and true to the last.

 

His was the warm soul that trailed with emotion,

In free social converse he well bore his part,

His was the spirit of tireless devotion,

To home, friends and country he gave his whole heart.

 

He came to the West, to the wilds lone and dreary,

He feared not its hardships, he shrank not from toil;

His work was well done, all care-worn and weary,

He was laid down to rest on his chosen soil.

 

Shall we still follow on - with the dear pleasing story,

beyond the dark vale to a realm ever fair,

Where spirits immortal will gaze on the glory,

Too dazzling and bright for earth's children to bear.

 

Oh! blest star of faith, mayest thou ever shine o'er us,

And light up our homes with the soul-cheering ray;

With glory illuminate the pathway before us,

That leads thru' the pearl gates to Heaven's bright day.

 

* * * * * *

 

Obituary: The Ogle County Reporter, Vol. XXIII, No. 32 -- Whole No. 1172, T.O. Johnston, Publisher, Oregon, Illinois,

April 9, 1874:        John Phelps

 

 

...he had been identified with this part of the country and its interests for forty years.  Northern Illinois, and Southern Wisconsin, which were the principal scenes of his operations for nearly half a century, will know him no more. --- The founder of Oregon is dead and now sleeps in the cold silent tomb... The first white settler of Ogle county will never again, in the mortal form, visit its undulating prairies and shady groves...

 

At a meeting of the Old Settlers held in Oregon, April 6th, 1874, James V. Gale was called to the chair, and Wm. J. Mix appointed Secretary, when on motion, the following was adopted as the sense of the meeting:

 

WHEREAS, We recognize the fact that to the early settler and pioneer, the present generation are indebted for their enjoyment of the greatest and best country and land ever given to man, and who with iron arm and will, fearlessly met all dangers, and suffered all privations and hardships incident to those who first open the road for civilization in the remote wilderness, which can be fully appreciated only by those who have experienced them; and

 

WHEREAS, Our numbers are fading away, link by link, we feel the bond of unity growing stronger among the few of us who are left, and

 

WHEREAS, In the death of our friend and brother pioneer - John Phelps - we feel that the key-stone to a strong arch had become broken, we feel thankful to an all wise Providence, that we remain to bear testimony to his worth, his unswerving fidelity to his manhood, his generous hospitality, his detestation of a mean or small act, his indomitable energy and enterprise, his kindness to his friends, his tenderness and generosity as a husband, father and relative, his embodiment of a greater share of those qualities of head and heart, all combine to command our warmest admiration and esteem, and stir within us the deepest notes of grief for the loss we have sustained, and of sympathy for the family circle which has suffered this sad bereavement.  To the aged companion of his life, we tender our heartfelt sympathy, and with her mingle the tear of sorrow.

 

To the children and relatives who have been guided to the summit of the pathway of life by his counsel, we desire to express our grief for their loss from the web of life which no living thread can replace, that our words of consolation come not from the lips only, but from the depths of the heart also.

 

RESOLVED, That a copy of these proceedings, signed by the President and Secretary, be sent to the family, and furnished to the Grange and Reporter, and the other papers of the county be requested to copy

                                                                        James V. Gale, President

                                                                        Wm. J. Mix, Secretary

 

[Capt. John Phelps, deceased, was the first president of the Old Settlers' Association, which was organized May 27, 1869.  He came here in 1834 and laid out "Oregon City".  Hon. James V. Gale, deceased, was the first secretary of the same body. (The Oregon Reporter, Sept. 6, 1883)

He was given a memorial shotgun by the Old Settlers’ Association and it was in the possession of his son James Phelps P, and grandson Frank Napoleon Phelps, great-grandson Frank Napoleon Phelps, and great-great grandson Courtney Phelps, until his death in 2010.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By request of his family, Mr. Phelps several years since, wrote a brief history of his life, which at the time of his death was carried to the 1st of January 1867.  We here present, very briefly, a few incidents we have collected from its pages.  Only a week previous to his decease, Mr. Phelps was the recipient of a letter from the secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, requesting his history for publication, in book form, for the archives of that State, - which he intended to commence writing up the following week. [Summarized is the Narrative of Mr. Phelps].

 

Mr. Phelps would have been seventy-eight years of age on the eighth of next August.  He was endowed with a strong vigorous constitution and had not been seriously ill for the last forty years.  Two weeks ago, today he walked from his residence to that of John Wagner [see obituary below], on an adjoining farm, nearly two miles distant, to visit his old comrade and friend... who was then not expected to live... Saturday following, Mr. Phelps himself was taken sick, and on the following Wednesday expired about nine o'clock in the morning... He was a kind and indulgent father and husband, the very soul of honor, never stooping to a low or mean action.  He abhorred hypocrisy and deceit...

 

During the last fall he paid a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Lighthizer at Madison, Wisconsin. -- He made the trip with horse and buggy, -- and during this winter, he made a very pleasant visit, accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. S.L. Johnston, to the scenes of his youth in Kentucky, and in Tennessee, where he spent nearly four months, and had been home but a little over three weeks, at the time of his decease.  In fond anticipation of that visit this Spring, by some of his boyhood companions, he overworked himself clearing the rubbish from his lawns, and getting everything in order to give them glad surprise, and thus brought on his last sickness.

 

...The funeral took place at Mr. Phelps’s late residence, on Good Friday at ten o'clock A.M.  The services were conducted by Rev. Stroh and Lipe.  Military honors were accorded to the deceased, as a soldier of the war of 1812... The funeral cortege was large and imposing, being about one mile in length. 

 

...The corpse was interred in the cemetery one mile above Oregon, laid out by Mr. Phelps, and in a lot selected by him when Oregon was in its infancy.

 

                                

The relatives of the late Mr. John Phelps tender their thanks to the band, Military Escort, Old Settlers, and citizens generally, for their sympathy, and high honor paid on the occasion of the funeral. 

                                                    J.C.T. Phelps

                          Wesley Johnston

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From the same paper:

 

Personal. -- Mr. John Shafer, of the firm of Phelps & Shafer, dry goods merchants, of Aledo, Mercer Co., Ill., spent a few days in town last week and this.  He was up here to the funeral of his old friend, Mr. John Phelps, by whom he was employed over sixteen years.  As the funeral procession was passing through the town on Friday, Mr. S. reached the depot on the freight train.  He heard the bell tolling, and ran from the depot to town, procured a horse and buggy at Cross and Start's livery stable, and reached the cemetery just in time to witness the last rites.

 

 

 

[Quoted from: "The Ogle County Reporter", ["The Oldest Paper in the County, and Having the Largest Circulation"] April 9, l874, Oregon, Illinois; T.O. Johnston, Editor and Proprietor [grandson of John Phelps, son of Sarah Phelps Johnston].

 

 

 

 

 

Letter to Lyman C. Draper, Director, State Historical Society of Wisconsin:

 

                                Oregon, Ill.  Sept. 6, 1876

 

L.C. Draper, Esq.

Madison

Wisconsin

Dear Sir

I have at last with the assistance of my wife completed [editing] the narrative of Mr. Phelps, and some notes of our own and opinions and remarks of others. I also send you his

 

 

Photo the last he had taken in 1873 so that if you wished to take a copy for your History you could do so.  You will please return to me the manuscript after you have got through with it, I will mail it to you tomorrow, when you receive it please inform me of its receipt.  Mr. Phelps intended to have written his Wisconsin experiences much more fully for your Society as he had spoken to me about it, after receiving your letter, as what was written was but a very slight portion of it, but death intervened and put a stop to his intentions.  I recollect his telling me about owning in connection, I think with James Virryard of Platteville, a large Lead, somewhere between Bell Mount, and the Blue River diggings.

 

Yours Respectfully,

Wesley Johnston

 

[Lyman C. Draper collected large amounts of manuscripts and recollections of pioneers about the early history of the West, including a large Daniel Boone collection, and much about the Revolutionary War, and early history of Tennessee and Kentucky, and other frontier States.] 

(Source: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Archives Division, Manuscript: MS, E902, PH.  They have an incomplete copy of John Phelps's narration and one pose of his l873 photo.)

 

 

Obituary: Mrs. John Phelps, Sarah Rogan Carlin Phelps, The Ogle County Reporter, Oregon, Illinois, 17 April 1879, Published by Timoleon Oscar Johnston 

 

                     

                                                            Sarah Rogan Carlin Phelps taken 1873

 

The deceased lady, whose biography appears below had been suffering for several months prior to her death.  Her debility was due to old age and its attendant train of infirmities, rather than due to any inherent physical ailment.  We have never seen more intense suffering, or a more heroic fortitude displayed, than by the lady whom we mourn.  While tortured in body, her mind was clear and peaceful.  Well spent days -- reaching out to the infinite, without a murmur.  The gentle spirit was "wafted across the river" in the silent hours of the early morn, when the turmoil of the world was hushed, -- the solitude of the night unbroken -- fit time to part with sorrow and enter the radiant mansions of eternal joy. 

Mrs. Phelps character is happily depicted by the poet:

            "Beautiful lives are those that bless,

             Silent rivers of happiness,

             whose hidden fountains but few may guess"

 

Deceased was relict of the late John Phelps, who founded the city of Oregon and surveyed the old government road from Chicago to Galena.  Mrs. Phelps died at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. Wesley Johnston, in this place.  Mr. J.C.T. Phelps of Rockvale [township], and Mrs. Sarah L. Johnston are the surviving children, Napoleon, the third child, having died in New Orleans in 1858.  The funeral, April 8th, was largely attended, at the M.E. church.  The remains were buried in the family lot at Riverview cemetery.  During the funeral discourse Rev. H. Crews read the following sketch, embodying some facts with reference to the departed not given elsewhere:

 

Mrs. Sarah R. Phelps was born in Franklin County, [rather probably born near present Lambsburg, Carroll county] Virginia, April 29, 1797, and on the 29th inst. would have been eighty-two years old.  She was married in Tennessee, on the 14th of March 18l6.  She survived her husband five years and six days.  Her maiden name was Sarah R. Carlin and was a  [second] cousin of Governor [Thomas] Carlin of this State.  She was a very exemplary woman, had a pleasant smile for all, kindness of disposition that endeared her to all of her many acquaintances in this county and in Tennessee.  She with her husband settled here in the year l835, on their farm three miles from Oregon.  We can give you some insight of the appreciation in which she was held by her husband from an extract of a letter from him to her in l860: "I am now entering my sixty-fourth year.  My life has been, on the whole, rather an eventful one.  Sometimes flushed with success and at others sunk in the deepest despair, sometimes basking in the sunshine of prosperity, at others, overshadowed by gloom. -- When I have been beset with troubles without, I have always found comfort and happiness at home in the bosom of my family.  You, my dear companion, whose destiny has been chained to mine for the last forty-three years, sharing with me the toils, troubles and disappointments which us poor mortals have to encounter through the rough journey of life, always bearing your part with noble fortitude and always submitting to what could not be helped, without a murmur when borne down by misfortune, and destitute of common comforts, you did not complain, but always ready to assist in trying to elevate our condition.  It is your kindness, prudence and forbearance under the most trying circumstances of misfortune, that has always inspired me with new zeal, and made my rough paths smooth." --

 

Mother Phelps was a model wife and woman.  You have evidence of the one who knew her the longest, taken from a private letter, which was written when the heyday of youth was gone.  Her life will remind you of the beautiful expression of Ruth.  "Entreat me not to leave thee; for whither thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and they God my God; where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried; the Lord do so to me and more also, If aught but death part thee and me."

 

 

 

Published in the same newspaper, April 10, 1879:

Sarah R. Phelps -- This esteemed lady departed this life Sunday morning [April 6] about one o'clock... The funeral was held at the M.E. church Tuesday afternoon [April 8] and was largely attended...

 

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Sarah R. Phelps applied for a War of 1812 Claim of Soldier for Service Pension [for widow]. Claim number 26.543, under Act of March 9, 1878.  She had to send in the original approval for John Phelps (see above) claim reluctantly:

 

Geo. W. Hormell             St. of Illinois, Ogle County, Office of the Clerk of the County Court. Oregon June 13,1878

 

Commissioner of Pension

                      You will please return this notice of Allowance of Pension, that was sent John Phelps after you get through with it, to Mrs. Sarah R. Phelps as she wishes to preserve it.    Yours Respectfully

                                 Wesley Johnston

 

Sarah's application, 13 Jun 1878, gave the following information about him: John Phelps, a Private, in the company commanded by Captain Beverly Williams in the Second regiment of Tennessee Mounted Volunteer Gunmen commanded by Thomas Williamson, Colonel, in War of 1812. ... He was 1st Lieutenant in Capt. Vanis (sp?) company, think 6th Reg. Ill. Volunteers in Black Hawk War in 1831.  He resided Wilson County, Tennessee from 1815 to 1820, then at Hicks Ferry Arkansas until 1821 from thence to Hartsville, Sumner County, Tennessee until 1827, from there to White Oak Springs, Wisconsin Territory until 1829 from there to Madison County Illinois until 1830 then to Schuyler Co. Ill. to 1834 then Ogle County Illinois until 1857 then to Austin Texas to 1860 then Rockvale Ogle County Illinois until death April 1, 1874.

 

Description at the time of his enlistment, viz: He was 18 years of age was born in Bedford County Virginia before war was a farmer height at enlistment 5 ft. 11 inches color of hair and eyes at that time black.  Complexion dark, ever since the war was engaged in the mercantile business.  He got a land warrant don't know the number.  He drew pension from Feb 14, 1871 until death certificate no 14695.       

                                     

Another notice was sent the Pension Commissioner, on the letterhead of the County Court Clerk asking for a decision or information on what more was needed..."she has heard nothing since August last, and is in need of the money.  Please let us hear from you on receipt of this.

                      Respectfully

                      J W Mack                                

 

She filed the claim 13 June 1878 and the claim was rejected April 17, 1880, when the Postmaster of Oregon notified them that she had died 27 April 1879.

 

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June 14, 1883, Ogle County Reporter, Oregon, Ill.

Administrators Notice of Filing of Final Settlement

 

State of Illinois)

Ogle County)

Estate of John Phelps, Deceased.  To the heirs of John Phelps, deceased.  You are hereby notified that on Monday, the 23rd day of July, A.D. 1883, the Executor of said Estate will present to the County Court of Ogle County, at the Court House in Oregon, Illinois, his final report of his acts and doings as such Executor, and ask the Court to be discharged from any further duties and responsibilities connected with said Estate and his administration thereof, at which time and place you may present and resist such application, if you choose so to do.   Henry P. Lason

                                       County Clerk

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Obituary of Mrs. Sarah Louise Phelps Johnston:

 

 

"Mother"

 

Mrs. Sarah Louise Johnston

Friday evening, October 4, 1889, ten minutes before seven, aged seventy-two years, six months, and nine days...

 

 

...born in Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee, March 27, 18l7, her father being John Phelps...mother Sarah Rogan Carlin [Phelps]... Mrs. Johnston's brothers were J.C.T. Phelps, now of Kansas City, Missouri and Napoleon B. Phelps, who died in New Orleans, Dec. 10, 1857, aged 23 years. 

 

Together with her family Mrs. Johnston came here May 17, 1835.  That Spring Oregon was founded by her father, the first white settler of Ogle County, he having been here in '34, and it, together with Liberty Hill, was named by Mrs. Johnston, then Miss Phelps... Miss Phelps was married to Wesley Johnston in Oregon, at her father's home, over the old [Phelps' and Johnston] store, [southeast] corner Washington and Third Street, June 8, 1848, by Squire Isaac S. Wooley [?].  They then moved to Franklin, Iowa County, Wisconsin, where a year later their son, T.O. Johnston, was born; next Mrs. Sarah Alice Jones (deceased) in Peru, Ill., Mrs. Eva E. Waggoner, and James W. Johnston also in Peru. From Peru with her family arrived in Austin, Texas, thence to Polo then to the old homestead in Rockvale and from there to Oregon.  Hers has been a busy life always devoted to husband and family.  She was a lady of fine educational attainments, having been educated by Henry Sanderson, who was family tutor, and afterward attending the Rock River Seminary as one of the first students, her father owning a life scholarship, and later learned the arts and sciences at the convent of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis.  She was possessed of literary tastes, spoke French and was an

excellent amateur painter, some of the productions of her brush being classed as gems of art.  Industrious, careful, and painstaking she made her home a model of happiness.  Now that she is gone, we realize that we have sustained an irreparable loss a vacancy that can never be filled here below. 

 

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, Rev. L. Ford and Rev. Horton H. Cartwright both delivering discourses ... the pall bearers were Henry Sharer... of Mt. Morris... Mr. Sharer had been a pall bearer at the funeral of the father and that of the mother of the deceased...

 

 

The Ogle County Reporter, Oregon, Ill., Wed., Oct. 9, l889, page 1.  Editor: Timoleon Oscar Johnston

 

          

Wesley Johnston and Sarah L. Phelps grave marker on John Phelps monument

 

 

Obituary: Wesley Johnston from "The Ogle County Reporter",

Oregon, Illinois, Wednesday, September 13, 1893, page 1, col. 2-3.

 

Our father lived to a good old age, and yet we were unprepared for his death.  He had been so active and cheerful, apparently in much better health than he was a year ago, that the shock of the sudden death found his children unprepared for the inevitable.  Yet this is life -- and death. 

 

And as we sit at the old desk where his familiar form greeted us from day-to-day, we realized a sense of loneliness and depression that illy fits us for the work at hand. 

 

The vacant chair is here, the warm heart that beat for other's woes, the friendly counsellor, the kind parent and sincere friend is no longer of the earth earthy,

 

The writer, perhaps better than others, from personal contact every day with him who is gone, understands the many little acts of self-denial, the benediction of his generous hand, -- we, his children.

 

           "All understand, however, that of that best portion of a man's life --

           His little, nameless, unremembered acts of

kindness and of love."                                         

           There can be no record except on high, or in the grateful hearts of those who have received his benefactions.

 

Wesley Johnston was born in the city of New York April 1st, l8l7, being seventy-six years, four months, and four days old.  His parents were of good old Irish ancestry, and he inherited a shrewdness and business capacity of which no man was more greatly favored.  The father a prosperous New York merchant, the son naturally took to trade, not however, until he had received a thorough education was, he permitted to trade for himself.  At the age of twenty years, he started from the great seaboard city with a goodly portion of money and a wonderful reserve of grit, and came to the great south west, landing in St. Louis, then the head of navigation of the Mississippi.  His route was via the Ohio river, and his pleasures on the trip suggested to him the desire to be a clerk on the river boats of the father of water that ran to New Orleans. 

 

This experience was valuable to him on account of the many and varying phases of character he came in contact with, besides adding to his fortune a snug sum.  Then for a season or two he tried clerking at Sulfur Springs, near St. Louis, Missouri, then the most famous resort in the country.  At this place he became acquainted with some wealthy capitalists, and a Company was formed that bought several thousand acres of timber land near St. Louis.  Mr. Johnston assuming active charge of the cutting.  The task was hazardous, as the immensity of the work attracted laborers from all parts of the country, adventurers, and "bad" men, and required the bravest hearts to cope with them. 

 

Tiring of so much civilization he came north to Ogle county in 1841, where he had a brother living, an extensive farmer just east of Oregon township.  He here established an office and loaned money for a few years when he formed a partnership with JCT Phelps in merchandizing.  Both gentlemen had unlimited credit and established stores in Peru and LaSalle, then as now thriving cities.  During his residence there he was elected treasurer of the city of Peru, then in the most trying times of its existence, financially, and needed a master's hand in finance to extricate it from its difficulties, this they found in Wesley Johnston, and the older people of one of the best cities in the State will always remember his labor among New York acquaintances for their interest with kindness.

 

He left Peru and went to Polo, where they established a general banking business in connection with their merchandizing, they established branch stores in Brookville and Milledgeville, then thriving towns of Ogle County.  Here, they continued trading successfully.

 

In 1857 the growing state of Texas was attracting the attention of monied men everywhere, and Messrs. Johnston and Phelps, ever ready to embrace an opportunity for successful barter, at once started for the south-west empire.   They were successful, but were watched with suspicion by the natives, as they were from the hated north, and before the battle of Bull Run on the pretext, they were Northerners, their entire stock of goods was confiscated.  The family of Mr. Johnston returned at once overland from Texas to Illinois.

 

In 1865 he retired from active trade and established in Oregon a general real estate and loan business in which he was engaged at the time of his death.

 

Mr. Johnston, though never a robust man, yet every ounce of flesh he possessed was accompanied by double the amount of grit, and he was seldom confined to his house by sickness.  Some three or four years ago he was attacked by grippe and the malady never left his system, each change in the fall and spring seasons made inroads on his health, and each time making him weaker.  On Old Settlers day he was in Rochelle at the gathering of the pioneers, an occasion he had not missed since the organization of the society. He occupied a prominent place on the stand, and with uncovered head, listening attentively through the services.  He contracted a slight cold with aggravated the old symptoms.  The usual remedies were given, and during the middle of the week he felt better and wanted to come up town; the family thought it best he should stay indoors a day longer.  On Saturday he sat on the front porch until evening.  On Monday he was feeling worse; the family physician, Dr. Mix, was summoned, and he made some suggestions as to his cough.  On coming down in the evening he first discovered that his heart was out of health and prescribed for its relief.  At eleven and three o'clock during the night his pulse was regular, and a gentle perspiration was noticed.  Tuesday morning at seven o'clock he felt as though he would get up and dress, but as it was early in the day, and the business he was most anxious to attend was not thought of enough importance for him to come up town until later.  While the family were out of the room he made an effort to rise from his pillow and fell back, and the life spark passing away without a struggle or a knowledge that the end had come, a most peaceful death, full of years and honors.

 

He died Thursday morning about 7:30, and his funeral took place Thursday, from the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Wagoner, with whom he had made his home since the death of his wife four years ago.  The Rev. Barton Cartwright, the pioneer preacher [He was an early Methodist circuit preacher starting in 1833.  In 1837 he rode on the average 50 miles each Sunday, preaching three to four times a day. In the Civil War he was chaplain the 92nd Illinois mounted infantry. He was married and had six children; born 1810 and died 1895. (Oregon History, l986, p.33)], delivered the oration assisted by the Rev. Scott of the Methodist Church.  The active pall bearers were old men with whom in his early days he had associations of a social and business nature.  Mr. Henry Sharer [brother-in-law of the Phelps' neighbor and friend Nathaniel Swingley.

                         

Nathaniel Swingley, friend and neighbor of John Phelps, their children married.   

 

He came to the area in 1839, bought Brodie's Grove farm, farmed it many years and sold it to Nathaniel Swingley and became a grocer with John Swingley in Mt. Morris in 1865, He was a member of the village board for eight-year, school director for six years and postmaster for four years (l886-1890).  He was born 1817, married twice, had six children, and died 1905.  (Mount Morris, Past and Present, Publ.: Kable Co., Mt. Morris, 1938, p.301)]., of Mt. Morris, assisting in that capacity at the obsequies of grand-father [John] and grand-mother [Sarah] Phelps, and of mother [Sarah L. Phelps Johnston].  The other pall bearers were C.W. Sammis, Harvey P. Sargent, William Artz, Dr. John Perrine and Stephen Pankhurst. 

 

 

The casket covered with flowers was born to Riverview Cemetery, where after reading the formal burial services of the M.E. Church the remains were interred.

 

In 1848 he was married to Sarah L. Phelps, daughter of the late John Phelps the founder of this city, who preceded him to the better land just four years ago.  By this union was born four children, T. Oscar, Editor of the "Ogle County Reporter", Sarah Alice Jones, deceased, Eva Johnston Wagoner, wife of A.H. Wagoner, of the "Independent Democrat" of this city, and James W. Johnston, of the mail service and

living in Chicago.

 

He in his life accumulated a valuable estate which with his honored name he leaves his children.

 

Wesley Johnston was naturally of a business turn, but, yet his business life did not interfere with his social life or his home ties.  His experience in the many interesting places he did business, and of the stirring events he participated, never failed to entertain his guests with live as he found it in the thirties on a Mississippi steamboat; of his experience in Texas, and the humorous and serious side of many of his transactions.  He related fascinatingly the many stories of the border in which he was a witness if not an actual participant. 

 

Mr. Johnston never cared greatly for the field of politics; his chief desire was to enjoy his family and make a competency by trade.  During the centennial year [1876] he built himself a handsome home in which he lived for a dozen years happy and contented.  He was one of the kindest and best men to his family and was extending encouragement to his children and grandchildren to help them on the road to fortune.

 

 

Col. I, page 1

There were present Thursday afternoon at the funeral of Wesley Johnston, W.M. Johnston and son "Artie" of Chicago, Henry Johnston and wife of Rockford, and J.W. Johnston [his son] and wife of Chicago.

 

 

Obituary of James Carlin Turner Phelps; "The Ogle County Reporter", Oregon, Ill., Jan., l896.  T.O. Johnston, Editor and Proprietor [JCT Phelps' nephew, son of his sister].

 

            

Right, James Carlin Turner Phelps, with his daughters, and left, his wife, Ann Elizabeth Swingley Phelps at their home at Greystone Heights, Kansas City, about 1890.

 

Died after an illness of just one week at his home in Kansas City, Missouri, Tuesday, December 24th, 1895, at two P.M., aged seventy-seven years, six months, and six days. 

 

His son Frank writes us: "The symptoms never seemed alarming -- it was a gradual giving away.  Life seemed so beautiful to him that only a short time ago he made the remark that he wished that he was about sixty years younger, and when asked if he would really like to live his life over, said, 'Yes, the pleasure always outbalances the pain' -- and yet he was resigned to go, and when he realized that he was growing weaker all the time, he said at his age, 'Life was very uncertain,' but 'Whatever is, is right.'"

 

James Phelps was born in Lebanon, Wilson county, Tennessee, June 17th, 1818.  The remains have been placed in a vault pending recovery of the family, part of whom were sick when he passed away, and others were prostrated by the shock of his death.

 

Besides his noble wife, there are five daughters, the oldest, wife of Frank Fridley, son of ex-Senator Fridley, of Minnesota, and one son, Frank, who survives -- one son, Charles, and one daughter Urilla, are lying in Riverview Cemetery at this place.  A competency is left those who survive. 

 

His father was John Phelps, the founder of Oregon, and he was a brother of our mother, Mrs. Wesley Johnston, who named this city.  His father died April 2, 1874, his mother in 1879, and his sister, October 4th, 1889.  A younger brother, Napoleon, there being only three children of them, died in 1857, at New Orleans.  His mother was [second] cousin of Governor [Thomas] Carlin of this state.  Together with his father in organizing this county where his father's brothers, Benjamin T. Phelps, and G.W. Phelps.  "Benjamin" received his papers as a circuit clerk of Ogle county October 2d, 1837.  [He saved court records when the first courthouse was burned] He died at Independence, Missouri, June 1st, 1895.  "Washington," who served Oregon as alderman and mayor, died January 11th, 1892.  Thus, it will be seen that J.C.T. Phelps was the last of the old pioneer stock of this family.

 

On the walls of our home there are two groups of pictures representing the older ones of the two families. -- Of these ten, there lives but one. 

 

James C.T. Phelps was so long connected with Ogle county and this part of the country, which he helped develop, that it now seems as though another landmark has been removed.  Identical with that of his father and of his partner, Wesley Johnston, who too passed to that other Borne on September 5, 1893.   His father moved the family from Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1835, when James was seventeen years old, although he had staked his claim where Oregon now stands in 1833, his attention being called to this beautiful location by Col. William Hamilton, son of the Revolutionary hero, Alexander Hamilton.  The son assisted in the erection of their home, the second house in Oregon, a double two-story log, in 1834.  It was situated just south of where the old Catholic church now stands.  This house was used as the first circuit court room in the county, and his father was the first Probate Judge, being elected by the Legislature [the Legislature did away with the position state-wide in l837]. The timber used in this structure was from the Phelps sawmill in Pine Creek, then operated by Dr. John Perrine, now a resident of Oregon.

 

James Phelps was here all through the trying times when the Banditti of the Prairie rose and fell, and he witnessed the creation of Ogle county, with Oregon as the county seat, on the petition of John Phelps to the Legislature in l837, and too, the organization of the county in 1838.  He also traded with Chief Black Hawk and his braves and knew the Rock River country when it was the paradise for wild game, and deer were shot in the dooryard.

 

James Phelps and Wesley Johnston were partners as general merchants from 1844 to 1860, and in addition at Peru and Polo, Illinois, for a number of years were in the banking business.  Their operations extended over a wide territory as merchants, in Oregon at various times; at Elizabeth, Franklin and Beetown, Wisconsin, from 1845 to 1850; in '49 at Weston, Missouri; '50 at Peru and LaSalle, Ill., until '57; at Milledgeville and Brookville in 1857; at Austin, Lexington and Post Oak, Texas, '57 to '60; again, in Polo, Illinois; at St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and again in Oregon.  During a portion of their long business career together John Phelps was a partner.  In 1861 James Phelps and Wesley Johnston dissolved partnership, and both retired from active business a few years subsequent.

 

Although a democrat, Mr. Phelps was not a politician.  He always declined office, except a term as supervisor of Rockvale, where he lived a short time on the old homestead farm prior to making Kansas City his residence. [1880 he lived at Mt. Morris with his family, per US Census]

 

                                         

[J.C.T. Phelps, G.W. Hormell, Albert C. Woodcock, J.E.

Hitt, W.W. Bennett, M.L. Ettinger, and E.L. Wells were

the first directors of the [Oregon] Library which was organized in 1872.

[Oregon History, 1986, p.206]]                                                                    

He was a genial companionable man, possessing many warm and steadfast friends, and he was also a gentleman of strict integrity.

 

Prior to leaving Oregon he became a member of Oregon Lodge No. 420 F.A.M. and was one of the fraternity who assisted in raising Elder G. R. Van Horne to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. 

 

To his loved ones -- may they bear this dispensation of Providence with fortitude, for it is the inevitable lot of all.  Their husband and father died with the crown of honored years, and the mantle about him of one who leaves with them the legacy of a kindly life devoted to their happiness and welfare, and of all.  May he sweetly sleep until the morn of the Resurrection.

 

 

 

Obituary: Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Phelps, "The Ogle County Reporter", Oregon, Illinois, Jan. 1896.  T.O. Johnston, Editor and Proprietor.

Her death Occurs Three Weeks and Two Days After that of Her Husband -- An Ogle County Pioneer -- A Family Doubly Bereaved.

 

Another member of the family of the late James C.T. Phelps, of Kansas City, Missouri, has been summoned by the Angel of Death.  This time the dear mother was called, and her spirit passed to its Maker January l7, l896 -- three weeks and two days after her husband’s demise.

 

For forty-eight years they had traveled life's journey together in loving harmony, and when death separated this devoted couple the shock attendant upon it was greater than the faithful wife could overcome, and she too lies at rest lamented by the many who knew her sterling qualities.  She, not alone, was an exemplary wife but also a tender, loving mother, whose first thought and care was for the dear ones of her home, and how sadly will she be missed.  It had been the desire of these two who have passed from this earth, that they might go down the shadowy valley together, but the Unseen Power willed it otherwise -- but after a few sorrowful weeks in which interests in this life were dim for the waiting wife, she was reunited with her husband.

 

Anna E. Swingley was born at Clear Springs, Maryland, May 20th, 1829.  She was a daughter of the late Nathaniel and Eliza Swingley, pioneers of Ogle county.  They removed from Maryland when their daughter, here-in mentioned, was about ten years of age and purchased government lands two miles west of Mt. Morris -- their land at that time adjoined the John Phelps farm, and here at the home of Mr. Swingley, on December 21, 1847, occurred the marriage of his daughter to James C.T. Phelps, the son of his friend and neighbor.

 

To this union eight children were born -- two, Mrs. Rilla S. Merritt and Charles N, have preceded their parents and were laid to rest in our beautiful Riverview cemetery, and the remaining children live at Kansas City, with the exception of the oldest, Mrs. Ella Fridley, her home being in Minnesota.  To this afflicted family the sincerest sympathy is offered by their friends in this community. 

 

                        ******

 

 

Belle M. Hormell [94 years old]      October 10th, 1979

30 East 52nd Street

Kansas City, Missouri  64112

 

 

Dear Gordon:

 

...What a flood of memories came over me as I read your inquiries about the Phelps family!  They have been part of my life always and I was a sizable girl before I knew that the various Phelps connected "aunts and uncles" as we called them were not related by blood to the Mix-Hormell group but were devoted friends through many generations.

 

I never knew any of the Phelps family relatives... that you mentioned... All the rest of that Phelps family I knew and remember.  Their father, I recall, was Mr. James Phelps...son of John Phelps, founder of the "City" of Oregon, Ill. as it was then called.  Shortly after

that my great-grandfather Dr. William J. Mix came from Vermont to Illinois and was for many years the first (and only) doctor in Oregon, Ill.  The close family friendship started with him and John Phelps -- then my grandfather (this was all on my mother's side of the family) was a close friend of Urilla's father.  My mother and brother and sister

and various Mix cousins continued these ties which lasted down into my generation. 

 

There was never any business connection between the Mixes or Hormells and the Phelps family...

 

When I first remember Mr. Phelps, I was six years old when we moved to Kansas City in 1892.  He was then retired, a handsome striking figure tall, slender, white hair and beard, every inch a real gentleman.  He and his lovely gentle wife Ann Swingley Phelps lived in an imposing large brick house with large grounds about it on a high bluff overlooking the Kaw River Valley.  It was terribly inaccessible but that did not prevent their many friends coming to them regularly.

 

One of my happiest childhood memories was the almost every week expedition my father and mother and I made along with the Phelps' daughters and their families -- we had no relatives in this area, and they included us as if we were part of the family.  Mr. and Mrs. Phelps died within a few weeks of each other.  I don't recall the date -- in the mid-nineties I should say.

 

Four of their surviving children lived on in K.C., the large

house was soon sold, Ada Phelps Cushing, Effie Phelps Hoover, Gertrude Phelps Hunnie, Frank Phelps, father of Frank Phelps, Jr. who now lives in St. Louis. 

 

In my High School days, the various Phelps descendants of my generation continued to include me in their good times together.  Mr. Cushing husband of Ada Phelps was my father's closest friend down the time of their deaths, ever since their boyhood days in Ogle County.

 

I hear at least once a year from Frank Phelps in St. Louis.  He is the only one left that I personally know of the younger Phelps grandchildren, except Earl Hoover (of Hoover Sweeper fame)...

 

...Many times, in my younger years I have heard the various Phelps cousins speak of "Aunt Rill".  What an unexpected echo from the past to have had your letter.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

Belle Hormell

 

[source: Gordon Merritt, Seattle, WA].

 

 

John Phelps letter to his brother Robert Phelps, Lebanon, Tenn.:

 

"Dear Brother                    Oregon [Illinois] Oct.3/48

 

After a long Silence on my part growing out of much business and some negligense on my part & not for want of Due Respect and Regard for your well fair & family that has caused the delay.  I now Write to give you Som account of my Acts & Doings for the Last Six months.  I Started to Masourie on the 21st August Last to hunt a Location for Selling goods.  I was much pleased with that Cuntry & will I think Send James Ther next Spring.

 

In the fall of 1848 James Phelps, 30, and his wife Ann Elizabeth Swingley Phelps, 20, and their baby Ella, a few months old, and Ann's sister Urilla, l6, went to Weston to set up a store for the people going to the California Gold Rush.

 

I was at Brother Toms.  He is doing well and getting Rich.  They all treated me with great Kindness & atention.  Thomas informed me that he had been to Lebbanon but did not See you.  He Said that he Regreted That he did not call on you but Said that he had been Some Time from hom & when he arived in Lebanon the Stages was ready to Start So he cum to the Conclusoon to persue his Journey Homeward.  He Requested me to Write to you & Say that he was Sorry that it was out of his power to see you & hoped you would not think hard of him.  As soon as I arived at hom again I started to New York & have Just returned.  I Bought a consederable Stock of goods but have not arived as yet.  Benjamin was at NYork withe me.  He had his wife with him.  He bout a Goods stock but I do not think he is making Money.  He thinks he will moove to Masouri next Spring.  I advised him to do So.  With Regard to these negroes I hardly Know what to say.  The Bill of Sale is in accordine with our Laws but if it is absolute nessary I will mak an other one in acordeance with what you have wrote.  I want you to write to me on the Recpt of This & Let me Know whether Hugh Carlin is making any move a gainst me or not.  Nr. Carlin Doubtless paid that note to Smith out of my part of Jams Carlin Estate & Hugh well knows it to be but do not Let him or any one Else Know any thing that I have wrote  I wish you wold find out there if I can become the gardin of Napolean what steps I will have to tak to make it Lawfull in your State in Such Evat I wish you to becom by Securety if it shold be nessary to give Bond to the Executor of the Estate for the payment of Napoleon fifty Dollars [$1,676 value in 2021] I wish you wold write & let me Know whether These negroes cold probbly Sold for The papers will be made out as you direct as soon as we have Tim to do so but Keep this to your self.

 

[Will of Patsey Carlin, mother of Sarah R. Phelps, and wife of the late James Carlin: " ...Secondly,

I give and bequest to my daughter Sarah R. Phelps my negro woman named Lydia about 42 yrs of age and my negro boy named John about 12 yrs of age and will and direct that my daughter, Sarah R. Phelps, pay to my grandson Napoleon B. Phelps which is her son $50.00 out of the price of Sarah R. Phelps legacy of my estate, this $50.00 being a bequest that I make to my grandson.  ...22 May 1846."

(The County Court June term 1848 probated, recorded Sept. 18, 1848.  Wilson Co., Tenn. Probate Records, Book 13, 1848-53, p. 1 & 2.)]. 

 

This leaves us all well but Napoleon who Still had the Chills this fall  We are pleased to hear that you & your family have all----their Health & are happy & Contented  I intend to moove to Masoure as Soon as I can  I am Resolved not to Live in This abolitian[sp?] Country as it seems to be gaining ground hear  Give my Respeck to your family & Axcpt for your Self my Best wishes for your prosperety & Happyness

 

             Respetfuly your affectionate Brother in great

             hast  Excuse all Errors

                                John Phelps

 

 

[John Phelps was a Jacksonian Democrat and apparently anti-abolitionist.  Probably most of the men of the area in the earlier days had been pro-slavery Democrats: " Judge Petrie...said at the Old Settlers Reunion in September, 1883, '...He remembered his old friends who had the manliness to say that slavery was wrong -- when they would get together and nominate a ticket when there was no earthly chance of electing them.  Men laughed at them, but were glad to to join them afterward.  And it was laughable to see their botched pedigree that wouldn't hold water.  Have seen Deacon Perkins take four fugatives through this town (Mt. Morris) and deliver them to freedom.  Was glad to live in county where when the old flag was assailed, the old father and mother turned out their boys and saved the Union...' (page 2, col. 3, "The Ogle County Reporter", Oregon, Illinois, Thursday, September 6, 1883.)]

 

 

------

Letter to Robert Phelps from John Phelps, his brother:

 

 

 

Dear Brother                         Oregon, Ill February 2, 1849                                                 

 

Your letter under date November 8th has been duly Reed & promtly answered Containing our note together with the other papers all of which was Duly Executed and Sent forward to you which I hope you have Recv before This tim.  I enclose you a power of attorney to Sell those negros.  I do not Recolect at this Time wheather I gave the power or James C.T. Phelps but be that as it may you can act under it for you Know that we wold Rectify and confirm what Evr you may do.  With Regard to the Sale of those negros James C.T. Phelps had Inclosed to you a bill of Sale of John according to your offer.  Say five hundred & fifty dollars [almost $5,000 in current dollars 2021] which we wish you to remit at as Early a day as you posably Can we are much Imbarressed & wold not Sell if it was not for the money   we know that you Cold get it at the Bank at Nashville have it made payable to Phelps & Johnson if the Bill of Sale does not Suit you you can have one forwarded to us & we will have it made out according to your views But This is in acordance with the Laws of our State.  We Wish to sell Lydia if you pasable can and send us the mony in Like manner if there is any money Coming for the sale of These negros pleas Remit that also tims is hard hear & we do not Know how we are to meet our payments.

 

With regard to James Writing to moore it was not on account of a want of Confidence in you But it Seemed that it was Impossible for us to get the papers to Suit him & that he wished the negros be doing Something with them So that they might be Earning Something untill the papers cold be made out to Suit or that he cold come & See abot it him Self  I have no news to write you at present only that Evry body is going to Calliforna and you need not be Suprised if you hear of my arivial in the golden Region before 18 months   we are Selling our Buisness as fast as posable with an Ey Sight to our Masouria Trip in Connection with a Trip across the mountains.  it is my Intention at this Tim to Situate James & Johnston on the Masouria River & then go to Callaforna my Self to look at the Country with the ----for the Sole purpose of mooving into that Cuntry  if I Lik it   I am happy to Learn from your Letter that you & all your family was well & well Satisfied & I hope & believe from your letter that you are doing well   you complain of your Brothers not writing for my part I write as often as I concurrently hav   you must know that I have a great diel of Business to attend to & perhaps at Some tim neglect my Best friends but not Intintinaly   I have not Seen Benjamin Lately   Washington & family is well    This leaves us all well   They all Send their Love to you & family we hope to hear from you Soon

 

I Remain you affectionate Brother

 

                                            John Phelps

----------------

 

[enclosed with that letter]

 

                                            February 2, 1849

 

Know all men by These present that I James C T Phelps of the County of Ogle and the State of Illinois for and in Consideration of the Sum of five hundred and fifty dollars [$19,000 value in 2021]to me in hand paid by Robert Phelps of the Couty of Wilson and the State of Tennessee at and before the ensealing and delivery of those preasant, the Recipt whareof is hearby acknowledged have bargained, Solld and dileverd, and by these presents do bargain, Sell and deliver, unto Robert Phelps a certain Negro Boy named John about 15 or sixteen years and more particular described as being the Boy bequathed by Patsy Carlin of Wilson County & State of Tennessee Lately deceed to John and Sarah A. Phelps of Ogle Couty and State of Illinois and ------ by Them to me to have and to hold the Said Negro boy John unto the said Robert Phelps his Executors Administrators, and assigns to his and their own propper use and benefit for ever.  And I the Said James C. T. Phelps for my Self and my heirs executors, and administrators, will warrant and defend the Said Negro boy John unto the Robert Phelps his Executors, Administrators, and assigns from and against all persons Whomsoever.  In witness whareof I have Tharunto Set my hand and Seal This Second day of February A D one Thousand Eight Hundred and fourty nine.            [signed] James C.T. Phelps   LS

 

State of Illinois      Be it remembered that on this day  

Ogle County            before the Subscriber Probate   

                       Justice of the Peace in and for the        

                       said County came the above named

                       James C.T. Phelps to me personally                                                                  

as the individual described in & who executed the above

--------or instrument of writing and he being by me duly examined acknowledged that he executed the same as his per

act & deed for the uses & purposes therin set forth -- I further certify that I the subscriber am the sole Justice of the Probate Court in & for said County which is a court of Record of law having an official seal but no clerk.

 

Witness John B. Cheney, Probate Justice of the Peace in & for said county of Ogle & the seal of the Probate Court this 3rd. day of February AD 1849.  [signed] John B. Cheney, Pro.

Jus. Peace

 

State of Illinois      I Richard Cheney Clerk of the County

Ogle County            Commissioners Court within and for                           

                       the Said County do hereby Certify that John B. Cheney whose name appears Signed to the above certificate of acknowledgement was on the 3rd. day of February 1849 when the same was taken the acting Probate Justice of the Peace within and for Said County duly commissioned sworn and qualified as appears to me from the records of my office and as Such Probate Justice fully faith and credit is due and of right should be given to this official act and I do further certify that the said Probate Court is a Court of record and of law that it has a seal but no Clerk.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand

           and affixed the seal of the County Commissioners.

           Court of Said County at my Office in Oregon this 3rd day of February AD 1849.       [signed] Richard Cheney, Clerk

 

 

---------------------------------

 

[Letter to Robert Phelps, Lebanon, Tenn., by John Phelps, Oregon, Ill., his brother]

 

Dear Brother                      Oregon April 8th. 1849

 

Yours under date 17th March has been duly Recd Inclosin Bond

& Recpts which I will once more Execute and Send forward   I believe this is the Third Time that I have Sent papers on that Busness  Twice they have been made out & Sent to me to Execute, which was don & the papers forwarded Such as they were for I must confess that they Look to me Like the production of a Schoolboy and Retrogrding back at least 200 years or at Least when the art of writing was at a very Low Ebb.  I do not wonder that it is Impossible for me to have an Instrimet written in this Land of Light that cold posably Suit in your Cunty   If I shold Judg from your duplicate Bonds & Recps It is utterly Imposable for me to have papers made out hear to Suit your Cunty in the first place we cannot See the Judg of our Cort when we pleas us he lives some 50 miles from us.  nor do we Know that he was to make out the papers acording to the forms of the Law Heare that it wold Suit in your Cuntry whar the Examers of the Law Splitt Hare: I do hope when these papers reach you that they may suit   I was dayly Looking for the mony but have been disaponted.  But I hope it will com as Soon as the papers are all made out & Recd   I think you ought to bee Satisfied that we will & in all cases wold Bare you ----in--- the Bussness for us whether you had Recd A Regular power or not

We have Sent you a power which we concder to be Sufficient if it will not do we are not able to mak one unless the form Shold be Sent us from Tennssee    you Say that you have Recd a letter From Thomas Phelps & that he was going Calaforna   I have Just Rece one Too   He proposes meeting me in St. Louis & Joining me in a Stock of goods for Callaforna   I have answered his Letter & do Intend going My Self in the fzall   I want to Start to N.Y. in May or June if it is posable for me to rais money To by a Stock of goods for Toms to take to Masouria also I intend Sending a stock Round to St Fancisko if possible, and go Through Mixeco this winter in order to meet them in the Spring.  I wish you to pay John Chastain the note he holds against us Phelps & Johnston if you have not Sent forward to money before you Recd this he holds our note    take in mark it paid & send it to us    with Regard to Thomas Phelps Expidition to Callaforna I fully concur in the Enter prize & Believe it the most Important Enterprize at Least worthy of all democrats & hope & beleve that I will Live to See all my family upon the Bay of St. Francisco or agacnt thereto   Pls Write on the Recpt. of this.  This Leaves us all well & hope that you may have Som of Those Golden dreams which is pushing so many forever towards the setting sun   My family all Join in Sending ther Love to you & your family and you will pleas for your Self the vary best wishes of kind Brother for your prosperity & Happiness. 

                           Respectfuly your Brother

                            [signed] John Phelps    

 

 

[Source of these John Phelps letters is the Dallas, Texas, Public Library, manuscript collection of Ellen Josephine Monk Krattinger (1921-1980).  Copied and sent by Betty Crowe Rhyne, P.O. Box 604, Linden, Texas.]

 

 

Obituary: Timoleon Oscar Johnston, "The Ogle County Reporter” Oregon, Illinois, Wednesday, April 5, 1899, Vol. XLVII --- No. 31, Whole number 26027, page 1, Office 131 North 4th Street, Residence 400 No. Fourth Street:

 

                 

           Timoleon Oscar Johnston, grandson of John Phelps

                      

                        RESTS FROM LABOR                         

 

Editor T. O. Johnston, of "The Ogle County Reporter"

 

Passes Hence Sunday, April 2d, 1899, at 7:30 A. M. to St. Augustine Hospital, Chicago.  Succumbs To Disease That Was His Enemy From Boyhood.

 

In the shadow of the "King of Terrors," a great grief has come upon us.  The pen that well-nigh a generation has traced life pages to the close for multitudes now must needs by turned to the tablet of its own fireside.  The head that responded to a heart that was quick and tender toward sorrowing humanity in the bereavement of death; that comfort and consolation to thousands of grief-stricken firesides in years gone by now lies pulseless, pale and cold, down at that common level to which it is the destiny of all mankind to come.  With Oscar Johnston the book of life is closed.  Very strangely to us who are nearest the dead sound these stunning awful words.  Tears are hot and comfortless.  Words seem meaningless to the theme.  The story of how the last sickness and death of the deceased is to well known to need repeating here.

 

Monday his remains were brought from Chicago for interment and Wednesday were held at the family residence, No. 400 North 4th Street.  Rev. Baldwin officiating, and a large concourse of friends paid their last tribute of respect.  Services were also conducted at the grave according to the Masonic ritual, brethren being in attendance from Dixon, Rochelle, Franklin Grove, Mt. Morris and Polo. 

 

Timoleon Oscar Johnston was born in Franklin, Ionia County, Wisconsin, June 30th, 1849.  In 1851 with his parents his home was changed to Peru, Illinois, from whence in 1857 they took their abode in Austin, Texas.

 

Two years later they retraced their course back to Illinois, journeying by team and enduring the hardships incident to life in the then comparative wilds of the newly peopling continent.  Locating at Polo, Ogle county, the family continued their residence there for eight or nine years, during which time the deceased, in his juvenile days had the advantage of common school education.

 

In 1861-2 Mr. Johnston attended the Sinsinawa Normal College in Grant county, Wisconsin.  Three years later he was a student in Rock River Seminary, Mt. Morris, Illinois, graduating from the commercial department.  Leaving school, he came to Oregon, where he fulfilled an apprenticeship in the office of the "Oregon National Guard".  Later he went to Vinton, Iowa, and was engaged in the printing business a number of years.  It was in this city he met and formed an attachment for miss Mary Shockley whom in due time he made his bride.

 

Returning with his wife to this city in 1871 Mr. Johnston soon became a partner in the office of "The Ogle County Reporter," and in October 1872, he became full owner.  Since that time, he has been continuously at the helm, editing, managing, and very acceptably conducting the columns of the paper until the falling to that summons which no man can disobey.  It caught him manfully waging life's battle in the armor he had worn for twenty-seven years; and when he faltered the transition was but from the sanctum to the tomb, borne by a tide which none but Infinity can control.

 

Those first in the great bereavement are a stricken wife and mother and two daughters and one son, namely: Mrs. Mae Katzenberger, of Baltimore, Mrs. Lillian Rudolphy, of Chicago and John P. Johnston of this city.

 

Attesting the degree of popular favor which Mr. Johnston has held to the hearts of his fellow citizens in days gone by are the ______ of gentle trust reposed in him, not only in Oregon, but throughout Ogle County and the State of Illinois.  As Mayor of this city the laurels of duty well performed were his.  At the time of his death, he was an appointee of Governor Tanner in the directorate of the Southern Illinois Normal Institute, and it was while in the prosecution of his duties in this behalf that he was stricken by the fleshly enemy that laid him low from his walks of life. 

 

Of Oscar Johnston’s fraternal relations witness The Knights Templars, The Odd Fellows and The Modern Woodmen who all were there in silent reverence and bestowed their office with a tender eloquence higher and better than words could portray.  As a member of the Illinois State Press Association no one could exceed the deceased in enthusiasm or any effort toward the promotion or elevation of his chosen profession. -- For twenty-five years his voice, his influence was in the councils of this Association, and who shall say what phase in the exalted standard of the journalism of today had not its origin in the mind of the stalwart champion now fallen.  

 

Of Oscar Johnston as a journalist the aphorism:
"Poets were born, not made," is appropriate, nicely applicable.  Naturally of keen perception, of fine discrimination, with a judgement evenly tempered, to meet and sift either the virtues or the faults and foibles over which his life work gave him surveillance, and above all so filled with kindly forbearance on occasions when provocation of

others might have spurred to ill will, it seemed he took in his field of labor as which microscopic penetration and at a glance saw what was best, what most conducive to the harmony, the progress and prosperity of the community he served.

 

And further of the dead, as journalist, friend and citizen, the following extract from our city contemporary is eminently fit and truthful:

 

"Mr. Johnston had a mind that was stored with useful knowledge, versatile and researchful, and his pen was ever wielded for the advancement of the community in which he resided.  For years he made The Reporter the leading paper of Ogle county and its counsels were ever sought and heeded

in the deliberations of his party.  During the writer's short acquaintance with him, we found him ever-kind, courteous and obliging and it is a fact that speaks volumes that those who knew him the longest were his staunchest and most loyal friends."

 

And so, after the destiny of all men this has given over his sword and buckler in life's warfare, and rests with him on the other shore with the great, grand, silent majority.  Quite sacred is his name now to many lips.  and raining tears and throes of grief, of the true wife and loving children are going out as a heavenly consecration to the treasured clay that is held in the confines of the tomb, beyond which the human heart can do naught but trust that there is beauty and joy and peace unalloyed for the weary soul that rests from its labors and travail.   

 

  

 

 

[John Wagner, friend, and neighbor of John Phelps, died on the same day that he did.]

 

Obituary of John Wagner:" DIED, Another Weary Spirit Fled.  John Wagner, of Rock Vale, Has Left Us.  The Old Settlers Express Their Sorrow in Some Resolutions.

 

John Wagner was born in Washington county, Maryland, October 25th, 1791--died April 1, 1874, aged 82 years, 5 months, and 6 days.  He lost his first wife not long after the birth of his first child.  His second wife [Catherine] died about six years ago.  To the latter there was born eleven children. 

 

This large family of children are all living and were present at the funeral with many of their children.

 

Mr. Wagner came to Ogle County July 20th, 1837, and settled on a piece of land near Oregon, on which he lived until his death. 

 

His was a good honest, upright, and strictly moral life.  A number of years ago he embraced religion, and ever since lived a consistent Christian life, as a member of the River Brethren Church.  He died as he lived--quietly and peaceably.  The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. J.S. Detweiler, or Oregon, to a large gathering of friends in the M. E. Church, at Mt. Morris.  "Thence the body was taken to its last resting place, where weeping relatives and sympathizing friends took the last fond look....

"The Ogle County Reporter", April 9, 1874, Oregon, Illinois, T.O.Johnston Publisher, Editor.

 

"One of the children of the Wagner family, David C. Wagner, told of these [pioneer] experiences in a paper which he read at the Ogle County Old Settlers' Reunion held at Mount Morris during the summer of 1904.  Part of his address was as follows: 'I can assure it affords me untold pleasure to meet with this little band of pioneers.  The announcement of this meeting brings back to me reminiscences of early days, in fact, youthful days.  My father with ten children, left Washington County, Md., in the fall of 1836.   He stopped over winter near Springfield, Ohio--then known as the "back-woods"--and in the early spring of 1837, he and Uncle Jacob Rice (who left Maryland with us, having the same number in his family as our own), started west on horseback, the objective point being Rock River.  At this time there were no settlements, except what were known as "squatters" who had located all the timberlands with a view to accommodate the incoming immigrants.  My father paid about $3,000 for two timber lots.  He and Uncle Rice then returned to Ohio for their families.  My recollection is that we crossed Rock River at Oregon on the 9th of June,1837.  I remember quite well that the ferry boat's capacity was limited to four horses a trip.  Father and Uncle Rice each had a six-horse wagon such as were known at that time as "prairie schooners."  Each one of these wagons had to be divested of its contents because of the incapacity of the ferry boats.  This was the most tedious obstacle we encountered in our thousand-mile westward movement. [The Phelps' ferry boats were too small for the Wagners.]  Having landed on the western bank of the Rock River upon which the "great city" of Oregon was located, we went within three miles of what was to be our future home..." (Mount Morris Past and Present, Kable Brothers Publ., Mount Morris, Ill. pg. 18).

 

There is a picture, on page 27, of all the descendants of John Wagner in June 1896.  Only one son, Joseph, had died, and there were seventy older people in the picture.  His children's ages ranged from 50 to 80.  Three of his sons were in the Civil War.)

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