Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-07-20
HON0RS HIS HOME CITY
SKETCH OF GEO. PHELPS CAREER
Something of the Life and characteristics
of One of DecOrah'S Pioneer
Residents.


ton correspondent of the Register and
Leader, was visiting in DEBORAH
couple of weeks ago, he was told the
story of the life of Mr.. Geo. Phelps
and his generous benefactions to this
city, from which he wrote the follow
ing interesting article, which has ap-
peared in various state papers:
Each year for twenty-five years
George Phelps, whose home is in Eng
| land, has crossed the Atlantic ocean
during the latter part of May that he
might participate in the Memorial day
exercises in DEBORAH. At the present
time Mr. Phelps is in hospital in
Chicago having been compelled TO un
dereo an operation while enroute to
this CITY upon his annual mission.
Fifty years ago George Phelps.
penniless youth, came TO DEBORAH.
Being of an ambitious, industrious
disposition. he sought employment
and apprenticed himself 70 a black
smith In the course of few years
he engaged in business on his own ac-
ccount, having saved his earnings.
and manufactured wagons and imple-
ments on a considerable scale.
After having acquired competency,
Mr.. Phelps returned to England, his
native land. where he prospered still
more. He is now rated as a wealthy
man, several times a millionaire.
Although rich and surrounded by
all that affiuence and money can give.
Mr.. Phelps did not forget the little
town of Decorah. in faraway Iowa.
| Here he married his first wife and
here she died and with their children
lie in the town cemetery.
Since he returned TO England TO
make his home twenty-five years ago,
George Phelps has never failed to
make the journey OF 10000 miles
across the sea TO pay his tribute OF
love and respect in person at the
graves of his wife and children. Just
as certain as the 30th day OF May ar
rives each year, just so sure is George
Phelps to appear in Decorah to take
part in the ceremonies. During all
the years of the past quarter of GEN.
tury he has failed but once, and thar
the present year. having arrived iE
Chicago the latter part of May, only
to be detained in hospital.
A few years after his first wife
died. Mr.. Phelps married all English
lady. She came to Decorah once or
twice with her husband. bat for many
years Mr.. Phelps has made the trip
each year alone. Two of the children
by the second wife have died and
their remains lie in the cemetery in
Decorah. with the first wife and two
children by that marriage.
Mr. Phelps is man possessing some
unique ideas in connection with the
last resting place of all that is mortal
OF humanity. He not only believes in
having his house in order. but in max
ing ample preparations for the recep-
tion of the bones of himself and fami-
ly and of perpetuating the name he
bears in indestructible granite.
Mr.. Phelps has expended from $15,
600 to $50, 600 in the Decorah cemetery.
Upon commanding eminence stands
massive and magnificent monument,
solid block of granite. bearing at its
base the name George Phelps" Near
the top set in niche is bust in
granite of Mr.. Phelps. a little larger
than life-size and perfect in every de-
tail except life itself
Upon one side of the great block lie
the first wife. Lizzie. and her two
children, one on either side. Upon
children by the second marriage, and
place is reserved between them for
the remains of the living wife. Annie.
Across the end of the graves. and
forming, in fact. the headstone. is
one long stone upon which are
chiseled the names of the dead
Upon the face Of the granite shaft
is cut in plain square letters the
words, George Phelps, with place
reserved for an inscription and dates
of birth and death. Just in front of
the monument is a great granite stone.
eight feet square and foot thick,
which covers bricked grave in which
will some day rest the bones of George
Phelps, the father. OF the entire
family. comprising the husband and
two wives, each with two children,
only the husband and wife remain.
AS an evidence of his loyalty to his
early home and what is to be the last
home of his mortal remains, Mr..
Phelps named one of his children
Decorah and another Winnesheik. in
honor of the town and county
Mr. Phelps two years ago gave S5,
600 TO erect chapel for public use,
In connection with which is vault,
within which thirty bodies may be
placed He also placed magnificent
granite arch at the entrance to the
cemetery. and the people responded by
having the words, phelps Cemetery.
cut upon the arch, changing the name
for that purpose.
The difference between rising every
morning at 6 and in the course of
forty years amounts to $4,000 hours,
or 3 years, l2l days and l6 hours.
which are equal to eight hours day
for exactly ten years. So that rising
at will be the same as If ten years.
of life "a weighty consideration) were
added, wherein we may command
eight hours every day for the Guilt
walton of our minds and the dispatch