Macoupin County
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Biography - JOHN F. PHELPS

John F. Phelps, who conducts a first class clothing and gents' furnishing store at Chesterfield, Macoupin County, was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, May 1, 1868, and is a son of Jeremiah M. and Sarah (Carter) Phelps.

Jeremiah Phelps was born and reared in Tennessee, and removed to Kentucky in 1866, where he engaged in farming. In the fall of 1871 he came to Illinois and located in Western Mound township, Macoupin County, but now, with his wife, resides in Chesterfield township. She is a daughter of Elijah Carter, a farmer of Lincoln County, Kentucky. They reared a family of eight children, our subject being the second member.

John F. Phelps was educated in Chesterfield township and at the Springfield Business College. Upon his return home, he engaged for a short period in farming and then accepted a position as clerk in a general store in Chesterfield. On September 1, 1894, he established his present business in Chesterfield. He carries a large and complete stock of clothing, gents' furnishing goods, boots, shoes, hats and caps, offering to his customers a fine line to choose from and one that is up-to-date in every particular.

In May, 1894, Mr. Phelps was married to Mary Linfoot, who is a daughter of Henry and Mary Linfoot. She died September 22, 1895. Mr. Phelps married September 7, 1898, Bertha Collins, who is a daughter of L. C. and Emma Collins, the former of whom is a retired general merchant. Two children have been born to this union: John Franklin, born June 29, 1899; and Lucile Collins, born August 28, 1891, deceased November 17, 1903.

Fraternally Mr. Phelps is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. He is one of the energetic and progressive business men of his locality and is held in the highest esteem.


Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 504-507.


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