John S. Phelps

John Smith Phelps ( born December 14, 1814 Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut, † November 20, 1886 in St. Louis, Missouri ) was a U.S. Representative (Democratic Party), and 1877-1881 of the 23 governor of Missouri. This state he represented also in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early years and political rise

John Phelps attended after elementary school until 1832 Trinity College in Hartford. After a subsequent law degree, he was admitted in 1835 as a lawyer. Until 1837 he practiced in his native city. Then he moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he also worked as a lawyer.

In his new home, Phelps began a political career. In 1840 he was elected to the House of Representatives from Missouri. Between 1845 and 1863 he represented first the fifth and then the sixth electoral district of Missouri in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington. During the Civil War he fought at times in the army of the Union. He brought it up to lieutenant colonel. In 1862 he was briefly military governor of Arkansas. He then worked as a lawyer in Missouri again. In 1868 he applied unsuccessfully for there the office of governor. But in 1876 he had more success. On November 7th of this year, he was elected governor of Missouri: With 57 percent of the vote he won against the Republicans Gustavus A. Finkelnburg by.

Governor of Missouri

John Phelps took up his new post on January 8, 1877. During his reign he had to deal with a strike on the railroad. At that time a first employment office in Missouri was founded. In the St. Louis Symphony Society was launched. The governor also pushed for better education. Also during his tenure was in Missouri State Bar Association.

After the end of his term in January 1881, Phelps withdrew from politics and devoted himself to his private interests. He died in November 1886. Together with his wife Mary Whitney had five children.

447459
de