John S. Phelps (D)

Overview

At a Glance

• Established Missouri Bureau of Labor Statistics
• University of Missouri received biennial appropriations from the General Assembly for the first time
• Promoted legislation requiring counties to balance budgets unless otherwise approved by voters
• Promoted reduced expenditures and low taxes
• Supported common schools for Black and White children
• Ended railroad strikes

Personal History

John Smith Phelps was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, and received his education at Trinity College in Hartford. At the age of 21, he was admitted to the Connecticut Bar. In 1837, Phelps moved to Springfield, Missouri, with his wife, Mary Whitney Phelps, intending to establish a law practice in the southwestern region of the state.

Phelps's most significant contributions to Missouri began in 1861, during a tumultuous period marked by war, debt, and social-political upheaval. At the onset of the secession crisis, Missouri was a slave state, and Phelps, who owned 17 slaves on his expansive 1,050-acre plantation south of Springfield, strongly opposed secession. Along with his Unionist allies, he successfully resisted efforts by Missouri's legally elected government to align the state with the Confederacy, playing a crucial role in maintaining the Unionist stance in the region.

In March 1862, Phelps organized and commanded a regiment during the federal victory at the Battle of Pea Ridge. Despite being heavily outnumbered, more than 30 percent of his regiment perished while awaiting federal reinforcements.

In July 1862, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Phelps as the military governor of Arkansas, assigning him the task of establishing a loyal civil government in a deeply divided state. However, Lincoln's early efforts at Reconstruction proved premature and faced fierce opposition from Confederate sympathizers. Consequently, Phelps's tenure in Arkansas was fraught with challenges, and he was ultimately relieved of his duties in early 1863.

After the Civil War, Phelps returned to his law practice in Springfield, where he gained prominence for his notable legal achievements. One of his most famous cases involved successfully defending Wild Bill Hickok, who had killed Davis Tutt in a duel over a gambling debt in the public square of Springfield on July 21, 1865.

Phelps died in St. Louis on November 20, 1886. He was buried in Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield.

Political History

Phelps's political career began with his election to the Missouri legislature in 1840. In 1844, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he represented southwest Missouri for eighteen years. Phelps rose to a position of national significance as chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. At that time, as is still true today, little legislation could pass Congress without the endorsement of this influential committee chair.

Phelps's national prominence peaked in 1860 when he earned the title of "Father of the House," reflecting his seniority and respect among his peers. He was a strong contender for the position of Speaker of the House; however, he faced challenges in winning the role. Northerners were wary of his ties to a slave state, fearing he might be pro-Southern, while Southerners hesitated to support him due to his Unionist sympathies and Connecticut roots.

The end of the Civil War did not bring stability to Missouri. The state continued to face turmoil, as guerrilla warfare persisted, and the Radical wing of the Republican Party controlled Missouri elections from 1866 to 1870. This situation effectively disenfranchised Democrats sympathetic to the South, largely due to the Constitution of 1865 and the stringent enforcement of laws at the polls by the Radicals. In 1868, Phelps represented the Democratic Party as their nominee for governor, but he ultimately lost the election, a result of the disenfranchisement that prevented many of his fellow Democrats from participating in the electoral process. Eight years later, after the franchise had been restored to former supporters of the Confederacy, Missouri voters elected Phelps as governor.

Phelps advocated for reduced state expenditures and low taxes. He also supported the establishment of common schools for both Black and White children.

In the summer of 1877, a railroad strike in St. Louis and other areas threatened the state's stability. In response, Gov. Phelps took a firm stance and endorsed a show of force to quell the disturbances. This demonstrated his willingness to maintain order and prioritize the functioning of essential services during a period of tension and unrest in the state.

Historical Significance

In 1903, prominent Missouri historian Walter Williams conducted a survey of 400 distinguished residents of the state, asking them to identify leaders who had made significant contributions to Missouri in various fields. Among the eight individuals honored in his Hall of Fame for statesmen was John S. Phelps, recognized for his lasting impact on Missouri's political landscape. Additionally, Phelps's legacy is commemorated through Phelps County in south-central Missouri, which is named in his honor as a testament to his contributions as governor and public servant.