Biographical Sketch of

Philander H. Phelps

Transcribed by Barbara Voss for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 661 - 662


Philander H. Phelps, who is now living a retired life in Berlin, but for many years was prominently connected with 
the leading business interests of this city and community, is a native of the Empire State. He was born in Virgin 
Township, Genesee County December 18, 1822. The family is noted for longevity. His father died at the age of ninety 
one years and his grandmother had passed her one hundredth birthday many years before her death. At the age of one 
hundred and three years she could dance with all the grace of a girl of eighteen. Abner P. Phelps, father of our 
subject, was born in Connecticut in 1790, of Welsh parentage, but when a child was taken by his parents to New York, 
where he became acquainted with and married Lucy Butler, who was born in Massachusetts in 1792, and was of English 
descent. She also had removed with her family to the Empire State. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Phelps entered 
land near the sit of the present city of Rochester, but becoming dissatisfied with his farm, he sold out for almost 
nothing and removed to Genesee County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. He was one of the 
prominent citizens of that community and held the office of Sheriff and collector for a long time. When the War of 
1812 broke out he left his family and entered the service, continuing to defend his country until the close of 
hostilities. In 1846, accompanied by his wife and children, he emigrated to the Territory of Wisconsin, locating 
in Oak Grove, Dodge County, where the death of Mrs. Phelps occurred the following year. She was a faithful member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and was the mother of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, of whom six are yet 
living. The late Dr. Charles Phelps, of Ripon, is the only one of that number who followed a professional career.

Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father�s farm, and pursued the elementary studies in 
the district schools of his neighborhood. In early life he displayed much ability as a mechanic, and when nineteen 
years of age began learning the machinist�s trade. Though he never served a regular apprenticeship, he became an 
expert workman, and has been able to command the highest wages. He continued business in that line in his native 
county until 1844, when he and his brother started for Wisconsin, locating in Oak Grove, Dodge County, where he 
owned some land. They kept bachelor�s hall, and while Philander worked as a machinist his brother engaged in the 
development of the farm.

On the 23rd of July, 1846, Mr. Phelps and Frances E. Peck were married. The lady was born in Stockbridge, Mass., 
February 6, 1827 and is a daughter of Hubbard and Mary (Phillips) Peck. The former was born in Connecticut in 1790, 
the latter in Massachusetts in 1794. Their early married life was passed near Salisbury, but in later years they 
came west, spending their last days in this State. The father died in Oak Grove in 1849, and the mother in Berlin 
in 1861. Mr. Peck was once a wealthy man, but owing to the dishonesty of one with whom he had business transactions, 
he suffered severe losses. He sold his large fruit and stock farm to a man who was supposed to be wealthy, but after
Mr. Peck had given him the deed for the property, it was seized by Eastern creditors of the purchaser. 

In 1848 Mr. Phelps and his wife removed to Waupun, where they made their home until 1850, when they came to Berlin, 
where they have since resided. He spent a few years, however, in California, engaged in business in that State. He 
went there in 1852 to superintend the erection of two sawmills and a quartz mill and to keep them in order. Prior 
to that time he put the machinery in the first mill built at Waupun and also in the large stone mill now there 
located. He built two steam sawmills on Fox River and also one of the first tugs that ran on that stream. He returned 
from his Western trip in 1854 and the following year built the tug �Active,� and in 1856 constructed the two steamers, 
Berlin City and Lady Jane. He is the inventor of many useful and important pieces of machinery. By perseverance 
and industry Mr. Phelps has become a wealthy man, and is now living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of his former 
toils. His efforts have certainly merited the success which has crowned them, and his life has been a long and useful 
one. He supports the Republican Party and none will question his right to a representation in this volume, which records 
the lives of the leading citizens of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Phelps was blessed with three children, two of whom are yet living: Irvin N., the eldest, died 
in infancy; Elliott H. is a member of the firm of Milmine, Bodman & Co., on the Chicago Board of Trade; and Ernest A. 
is a talented musician of great promise.



 





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