Fulton Journal
February 8,1884
John Phelps was born in Greenfield, Franklin county, Massachusetts, Thursday, April 8, 1819 and died at Morrison, Illinois, at 11 o'clock p.m. Tuesday, February
5,1884, making his age sixty-four years, nine months and twenty-seven days. While at Morrison, January 31, he received a paralytic stroke from which he did not recover. The remains were brought to Fulton Wednesday and the funeral held at his former home, Rev. W.D. Smith preaching the funeral sermon. Afterwards Fulton City Lodge, No. 189, A.F. and A.M., of which the deceased was a member, took charge of the obsequies, and under the direction of Worshipful Master Snyder escorted the body to the cemetery, where it was deposited in its final resting place with the appropriate ceremonies of that order. In 1884 (?) Mr. Phelps came to Fulton where he has since lived. Soon after he arrived he commenced mercantile business with his brother, under the firm name of A.& J. Phelps. In 1849 his brother died and Mr. Phelps continued in business till 1855 when he sold out and built the stone warehouse on the levee. Mr. Phelps filled with credit many offices of trust. In years gone by he took an active interest in the advancement of this city. In 1853 in company with Judge James McCoy, he purchased in St.Louis press and type for the first newspaper in this part of the State. The first numbers of the paper, called the Whiteside Investigator, was issued in May, 1854, and after various changes in 1863 the name became the Fulton Journal. Mr. Phelps was widely known throughout this section, and leaves a son and a daughter, also many friends who knew and appreciated his good qualities.
