My Genealogy Hound

Capt. J. M. Phelps, senior member of the firm of Phelps Bros., general merchandise, was born in McNairy County, Tenn., July 17, 1841. His father came to Arkansas when twelve years of age, and located at a point near Dardanelle, in Yell County. Four years later he went to Northwest Missouri, where he remained a year, and then came back to Randolph and Greene Counties. He entered into mercantile life at Gainesville; thence to Southern Missouri, and from there to Lawrence County, Ark., in the latter part of 1860. His son, Capt. James M., received only a common school education in Tennessee and Arkansas, but his natural aptitude made up for any loss in that direction. When war was announced he was a resident of this county, and first joined the Seventh Arkansas Infantry, Company F, in April, 1861, Joseph Martin, captain. He was discharged in February, 1862, and returned home, where he remained until Hindman’s call for volunteers, and, in April, 1862, he was captured, after having raised a cavalry company in response. That entire summer was spent by him in prison at St. Louis, Chicago and Johnson’s Island. In 1862 he was exchanged, and joined Tim Reeves’ company of Missouri cavalry, and served with them until the spring of 1864, when he raised a cavalry company, which he commanded until he surrendered, June 6, 1865, Company F, Fourteenth Missouri Cavalry. At the close of the war he returned to Lawrence County, which has been his home ever since, and embarked in farming and merchandising. Later on he spent three or four years traveling through Texas and Mexico, and in the spring of 1876 came to Walnut Ridge and established the business of Z. Phelps & Sons (J. M. & A.C.). The firm continued under that head until the year 1880, when it was merged into Z. Phelps & Son (J. M.). The present firm of Phelps Bros., was started up in 1884, with J. M., A. C. and Z. C. Phelps as partners. They do a heavy business in general supplies, their transactions in 1888 amounting to $125,000, and are one of the largest firms in their line in the county. J. M., the eldest, has practically retired from active business. Capt. Phelps owns probably 1,500 acres of land, divided into several fine farms, and, in conjunction with his father and brother, has a great amount of other lands in Lawrence and adjoining counties. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic order, belonging to Hugh DePayne Commandery at Little Rock; is a member also of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. This year (1889) he was a delegate to the district conference at Corning. He is a Democrat in politics, and was mayor of Walnut Ridge for several years. In 1864 (February 18th) he was married to Miss Victoria Kinian, of Lawrence County, Ark., whose father, Hensen Kinian, was a pioneer settler of Lawrence County. They have had one child, Virgil D., a little boy, who died in November, 1876, aged about nine years; and, having no other children of their own, the Captain and his wife are rearing a niece, Jessie Vinson.