John S. Phelps

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John Phelps

John Smith Phelps (born December 14, 1814 in Simsbury , Hartford County , Connecticut , † November 20, 1886 in St. Louis , Missouri ) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ) and from 1877 to 1881 the 23rd governor of Missouri . He also represented this state in the US House of Representatives .

Early years and political advancement

John Phelps attended Trinity College in Hartford after primary school until 1832 . After studying law, he was admitted to the bar in 1835. Until 1837 he practiced in his hometown. Then he moved to Springfield , Missouri, where he also worked as a lawyer.

Phelps also began a political career in his new home. In 1840 he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. Between 1845 and 1863 he represented first the fifth and then the sixth constituency of Missouri in the US House of Representatives in Washington . During the civil war he fought temporarily in the army of the Union. There he made it to the lieutenant colonel. In 1862 he was briefly the military governor of Arkansas . He then returned to Missouri as a lawyer. In 1868 he applied for the office of governor there unsuccessfully. But in 1876 he was more successful. On November 7th of that year he was elected governor of Missouri: With 57 percent of the vote, he prevailed against the Republican Gustavus A. Finkelnburg .

Missouri governor

John Phelps took up his new office on January 8, 1877. During his reign he had to deal with a rail strike. At that time, a first job center was established in Missouri. The Symphonic Society was founded in St. Louis. The governor also advocated better education. A state bar association was also established in Missouri during his tenure.

After the end of his tenure in January 1881, Phelps withdrew from politics and devoted himself to his private interests. He died on November 20, 1886. He and his wife, Mary Whitney, had five children.

According to him, Phelps County named in Missouri.

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personal data
SURNAME Phelps, John S.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Phelps, John Smith (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH December 14, 1814
PLACE OF BIRTH Simsbury , Hartford County , Connecticut
DATE OF DEATH November 20, 1886
Place of death St. Louis , Missouri