Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-09-01
DEATH OF H. M. PHELPS.
An Ex-Aldorman and Prominent Man
In Masonic Circles.


The community was shocked Saturday
morning when the announcement was
made Of the sudden death of cx-Aldcr-
man Homer NJ. Phelps. The demise was
surprise because Mr.. Phelps was appar-
orty in good health whoa he retired for
the night. lie arose about . O'Clock in the
morning and attempted to leave his bed,
but his heart failed him and he tainted.
expiring almost Immediately. lie had
been sufferer OF heart disease for many
years.
MI Phelps was born in Wiliston Sent
cmbcr -, 1889 and received his education
In the public schools and academy at that
place. At the age OF II years he went
TO sea and engaged in the whaling service.
In lSc ho returned to Vermont and es-
tahshcd himself in the marble and gran
tic business in Monkton. In 1858 he sold
out his business and went to Potsdam, y.
y, engaging himself in the same bust
ness. After staying there seven years he
moved To Burlington in 1863, starting in
the same industry. ON December s. 1853,
he married Miss Helen VI Stanley Of Wi
rooski. Two daughters, Alice and Helen
NJ, and one son, W. s., were born as time
rolled on. The eldest daughter is now
Mrs =. G. Pierce Of Blair. Mob. Helen
NJ. married James Jennings ana two yea rs
later died in Portland Nc About six
years 0so, Mr. Phelps retired from active
business owing to heart difficulty As a
business man he was very successful As
a citizen he enjoyed the respect of every
ono. He was elected alderman from the
nfth ward In 1896 by the republican party.
He performed the duty OF that office In
n straight forward, conscientious man
ner.
Mr. Phelps was Il 32d degree Mason and
was member of the following bodies:
burlington Lodge, r. and A. NJ, Bur-
nnEfun t'hnnfIr NJ linz, 80,
Commandcry knights Templar, ana Yer
mont Consistory Ancient and Accepted
scottish Rite.
Mr.. Phelps Masonic record is as fol-
lows: Ho was admitted to Rocket River
Lodge No. 2l3 in Potsdam, ~ ", receiv-
ing the Master Mason's degree, March 8,
1885, was elected master In December. 1889,
serving one year, and was elected deputy
grand master of the district comprising
CLINTON, Franklin anad St. Lawrence
counties in Northern New York and scrv-
cd one year. In 1868 he united with Wash
ineton Lodge No. of this city and was
elected master in ISL. serving one year.
III july, lS72, dispensation was secured
10 form Burlington lodge No 100 Bro
Phelps was charter member and was
named itT urst master and was elected and
Reelected for 10 consecutive years untn he
hrmly declined TO serve any longer in that
capacity lie was elected deputy grand
master Of the NTH Masonic district in
June. 1877. and reelected in 1878. perform
ing the duties of the office to the satIsfac-
ton of all. He was exalted to the degree
of Royal Arch Mason Aug. IS 1865 in
Burlington chapter No, 3, of Burlington,
was elected high priest Sept. ., 1865, and
by successive reflections served four
years to May s. 1872 fle was again elect
ed high priest May IS, 1874, and was con-
tinued in the office ten years to MAY A.
1884, being In all high priest II years. The
order OF high priesthood was conferred
upon him after hts election to the Of
nce of high priest In 1865. He was elected
grand high priest OF Vermont I'm June
1881, and reelected In 1882, serving two
years. He Joined Burlington council No.
8. Royal and Select Masters, April Q. 1856
and was elected thrice illustrious master
April 20, 1894, was created n Knight TEN
plar Feb. 81. 1852. In Burlington comman-
derry No. ,, elected eminent commander
in May, 1891, and was continued In that Of
flee for three years. lie was grand repre-
sentative of the grand commandcry OF
Maine, of the grand chapter of Kansas
and the grand lodge of Michigan, near the
grand bodies of Vermont.
In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rte
Bro. Phelps attained to the l4th degree.
grand elect perfect and sublime Mason,
June 80, 1873, was elected thrice potent
grand master in 1876. and reelected in
1876; was initiated in Joseph W. Roby
Council, 16 degrees, FEB. -. 1875, and IN
Delta chapter of Rose Cro.x, IS degrees
May 25 1876. and in Vermont Consistory.
80 degrees. about two years ago, all of
these bodies being In the valley of BUR-
lington.
The surviving widow and relatives have
the heartfelt sympathy of the community
In the loss OF loving husband, father
and citizen.