Chauncey M. Phelps Explained

Chauncey Moss Phelps (also spelled Chauncy and Chancey) (June 28, 1818 - March 21, 1868) was an American farmer and politician who held office in two counties, as well as in the legislatures of the Territory and State of Wisconsin.

Background

He was born Jun 28, 1818, in Russell, New York, son of Elihu and Emmaline (or Emaline) Clark Phelps. He married Alma Heaton, a native like himself of St. Lawrence County, New York. They came to Wisconsin about 1844 or 1845.

Public office

He was a county supervisor for his home town of Addison for the 1846-47 term. He was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of county treasurer, but was removed by the board for alleged malfeasance on July 2, 1847.^[1] He was not elected supervisor for the 1847-48 term (the office was held by one Luther B. Phelps instead), but was elected to the last Territorial Council (equivalent to a state senate) for Wisconsin Territory for 1847-1848, representing Washington and Sheboygan counties.^[2] He did return to the County board for the 1848-49 term.

He served a single one-year term as a Democratic member of the 1849 Wisconsin State Assembly (2nd Wisconsin Legislature) for the 5th Washington County assembly district (the Towns of Addison, Hartford, North Bend and West Bend), succeeding William Caldwell, a Whig.^[3] He would be succeeded for the 1850 term by fellow Democrat Anson H. Taylor. At the time of his taking office in January 1849, he was stated to be a farmer, 30 years old, a native of New York state, and as having been in Wisconsin for four years.

When Green Lake County was first organized in 1858, Phelps was designated its Treasurer.^[4] It is unclear how long they had been in Green Lake County. In December 1860, he was elected county treasurer.^[5]

After public office

Alma died in 1862; they had had at least five children who lived to adulthood. He died March 21, 1868, in Green Lake and is buried in the Phelps Cemetery in Markesan, Wisconsin.^[6]

Notes and References

1. History of Washington and Ozaukee Counties, Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development and Resources ... Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Prominent Men and Early Settlers; the Whole Preceded by a History of Wisconsin ... and an Abstract of Its Laws and Constitution Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1881; p. 321
2. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1874 Turner, A. J., ed. The legislative manual of the state of Wisconsin: comprising the constitutions of the United States and of the state of Wisconsin, Jefferson's manual, forms and laws for the regulation of business; also, lists and tables for reference, etc. Thirteenth Annual Edition. Madison: Atwood and Culver, Printers and Stereotypers, 1874; pp. 148-150
3. State of Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Members of the Wisconsin Legislature 1848 - 1999". Information Bulletin 99-1 (September 1999), p. 93.
4. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WFHistDir1869 Fox, Edgar B.; Dudley, W. T. History and directory of Green Lake and Waushara Counties, and the city of Ripon, containing historical sketches of the counties cities and principal villages, alphabetical lists of firms and individuals engaged in business, a complete classified business directory, lists of first and present county and city officers, present town officers, churches, schools, organizations, etc., etc., etc. Berlin, Wisconsin: Courant Book and Job Office, 1869; p. 15
5. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.V010 Harvey, Louis P., et al. "Annual report of the secretary of state, for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1861," in, Annual message of the governor of Wisconsin, and reports of the state departments, for the fiscal year ending Sept, 30th, 1861 [Covers 1860/1861]. Madison: Smith and Cullaton, 1861; p. 291
6. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77321966/chauncy-moss-phelps Findagrave bio