My Genealogy Hound

Abram C. Phelps, of the firm of Phelps Bros., Walnut Ridge, general merchandise and supply house, was born in McNairy County, Tenn., January 4, 1848. When six years of age he came to Northeastern Arkansas, and has been reared principally in Lawrence County. He received a somewhat limited education in his youth — a disadvantage which the majority of our substantial men at the present day seem to overcome — and worked on his farm until the year 1868. On March 7 of that year he was married to Miss Sarah Fallin, who breathed her last ten months afterward. Mr. Phelps, shortly after the death of his wife, traveled with his brother, J. M., through Texas, Mexico and the greater part of the western country. When his trip had been finished he returned to Lawrence County, and in February, 1874, was united in wedlock to Miss Mattie Ammons. During that period he went into business with his father, establishing the firm known as Z. & A. C. Phelps, which he conducted for two years. The firm was then changed to Z. Phelps & Sons, and has since continued under that name. In 1884 he sold out his interest in the business, and went to Fort Smith, where he started a grocery, but one year later he returned to Walnut Ridge, and entered actively into mercantile life at that point again, and now has exclusive control of the firm’s business. Besides his interests in the firm, he owns 660 acres of land, 500 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. Phelps is a member of the Knights of Honor, and Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council of Masonic fraternity, and also of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Walnut Ridge, of which his wife is a regular attendant. They have three children: Flora, Walter and Claude.