Horace G. Phelps, Esq.
Bainbridge Republican, April 24, 1879
It would perhaps be a difficult task to present the name of a person more entitled to the respect of this community, for his just and honorable dealings, as a business man and a worthy citizen, than the one whose name stands at the head of this article. He was the son of Burr Phelps, Esq., and was born in Dutchess county, this state, Nov. 3d, 1834, and belonged to a family of 11 children all of whom are now living and are now settled down in life with families of their own. And it is, perhaps a circumstance, without scarcely an example in the history of families, that so many children should arrive at such advanced ages, (the youngest being 36 years old, and the oldest 60) without the circle ever being broken by death.
Horace G., was only one year old when his father moved to Guilford, Chenango county, N.Y., where he remained some twelve years, then changed his residence to a farm in what is known as Spencer Street. And it was here that Horace commenced working out by the month, summers, receiving $6 per month wages, and going to district school winters; and he continued working out more or less until he was able to command $15 per month, which was regarded at that date as a superior remuneration for the services of farm hands. At the age of 22 years he commenced farming for himself by hiring the Charles Parsons farm in Bainbridge, near the junction of the Unadilla river, and also what was known as the Myers farm in the town of Unadilla, which he leased for three years; and after one year's experiment in which his farming proved remunerative, he enlarged his business by hiring in addition the Hughston farm containing 400 acres, and from that time continued to extend his interest by leasing more or less outside lands for pasture. It was about this time that he commenced that system of stock farming, which has since proved so successful, and placed him at the head of the cattle and stock trade of this section of the country. His first mode of stock farming commenced in buying sheep, in the spring, and summer them over after shearing, and selling both sheep and lambs in the fall. He also cut considerable hay and raised more or less grain, which he used to sell at what was considered fair prices in those times, as for instance oats sold for from 35 to 50 cents and corn from 75 to $1.00 per bushel. He of course availed himself of the opportunity of taking advantage of the market, by threshing oats early if scarce or holding them over if cheap and plenty.
In 1857 he purchased the farm which he now occupies, and formed a co-partnership with A.W.&R.N. Mills and himself doing the buying and A.W. Mills the droving and marketing which usually took about two weeks for each drove, as they were driven to Catskill on foot. Their stock for the first few seasons was mostly sheep and lambs, and they used to keep a drove on the road all the time during the droving season, and generally sent from 600 to 800 at a time, and handled on an average about 5000 a year. They sometimes sent through a drove of cattle, but mostly their stock consisted of sheep.
Mr. Phelps commenced buying wool for a firm when he was but 23 years of age, and continued purchasing for the same parties for a number of years, which gave him a good knowledge of the value and quality of wool, and aided him in selling his own which often amounted to the clippings of 500 sheep. He has also bought of late years for himself and is now carrying over some 10,000 pounds bought last year, and from which he expects to suffer quite a loss. During war times and through the building of the Albany & Susquehanna and Midland railroads he not only handled cattle but bought and sold real estate quite extensively and now owns about six hundred acres. His trade in stock the last few years has been mostly cattle, usually keeping 100 or more milch cows and summering about the same in stock cattle; he frequently buys cattle through the year, handling from 500 to 1,000 head. He furnishes customers in Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and ... He often sells at home from 50 to 100 head in lots to single customers. He has also lumbered more or less, making business for men and teams during winter, and usually keeping lumber on hand for sale the year through, and now has some 50,000 feet now waiting market. He has also done a considerable building, having not only built all the buildings on his present homestead but has built two good sets of buildings in Sidney, one of which he traded off for a farm West, upon which he now runs a cheese dairy of 25 cows. He also handles more or less grain from the west, through a store, and often by car lots, and is now engaged in a provision store in Carbondale, Pa., under the firm name of Phelps & Brunson where they have had quite an extensive trade the past winter, selling some 300 barrels of flour per month and about 3,000 pounds of feed and meal per day, besides pork, butter, lard, cheese, eggs, baled hay, etc. They also deal in hides and pelts. Mr. Phelps has usually a partner in many of his business transactions and with one or two exceptions has ever been successful in the choice of good men--of the right qualifications for that branch of business to which they were assigned. he sometimes handles a few horses in company with Mr. Oliver Fleming of Unadilla. But in all his business relations with men has never had but one law suit, believing that lawyers as a general rule are comparatively a useless class to community. Mr. Phelps is now only in the 45th year of his age, and still from the constant exertion of keeping business moving, stopping not for storms or sunshine, heat or cold, or even many times not resting for the night, he begins to feel that depression of physical energies peculiar to an over taxed constitution. In February, 1861, he was married to Miss Isabella Talcott, daughter of Adney Talcott, Esq., of East Guilford, Chenango County, by whom he had one child, a daughter, which only lived to be about three years old. And the death of this child proved the greatest sorrow ever laid upon him. Mr. Phelps, previous to his marriage, hired himself and help boarded. His father and mother died several years ago. In his social relations he is honored and respected, while his heart beams with kindness towards all who feel disposed to do right. His is also free and charitable to the unfortunate, and has strong attachment for friends. While in his religious views he is a "liberal," believing in the "normal and abnormal" conditions of men, holding that men should be held strictly accountable to man for all his acts of injustice and wrong to fellowman. And no one could be more greatly missed form this community, for his noble and generous acts, his moral and exemplary business life, than the one who forms the subject of this sketch.
After long years of suffering, Horace G. Phelps, whose name during a full half century has been honored in every household throughout this locality, entered into that eternal rest which is the heritage of all, at his home near Sidney, on Monday morning, 24th inst. The news, although not unexpected, brought deep sorrow into many hearts and the family losing such a valued member, a trusty guide and wise counsellor, commands the heartfelt sympathy of an unusually large circle of friends.
As a captain of industry, Horace G. Phelps must long be remembered as an example of what untiring work, perseverance and courage can accomplish. Depending upon his own exertions, his business activities began in boyhood days, and though penniless at first, he acquired long before middle life a comfortable fortune, which accumulated as declining years advanced. Had he started life with a fortune, he probably would have died poor as Job's traditional turkey. But it was Horace G. Phelps good luck to be born poor. Life's struggle brought out his sterling, combative qualities. He breasted the storms and in the material world, became the winner.
He was a man of excellent habits, fine moral character, and sturdy constitution, which enabled him to continue his activities till long past the age at which men seek retirement from work. He was a practical, matter of fact man and not disposed to worry about things that could be bettered in other ways. His cheerful spirit remained with him to the last and he retained his clearness of intellect up to the closing days. Invariably a good neighbor and friend, his family relations were always most pleasant. He died in the 75th year of his age and the grief felt over his loss, is widespread and sincere. Never a religious man, as the term goes, Mr. Phelps believed in the Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of Man. He believed that the man who scatters flowers in the pathway of his fellowmen, who by his benevolence, lets into the dark places of life the sunshine of human sympathy and human happiness, is already following the footsteps of the Master.
Always a true friend of Sidney, he was ready to support every undertaking and contribute liberally for every worthy public cause and enterprise. He was the moving spirit in the organization of the water system, the Sidney National Bank and numerous industries and enterprises. He never entered the quicksands of politics. He was a man of business, first, last and always. His declining years were devoted to deeds of benevolence, many of which are well known in Sidney and to many hearts his memory will long be blessed.
Mr. Phelps was born in Dutchess county in 1834 and his parents moved to Guilford which he was yet a child. At the age of 22 years he purchased the homestead farm near this village, still occupied by the family, where he resided over fifty years. In 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Isabell Talcott, and his widow survives him. Their daughter Clara died when six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps practically adopted Lena, a brother's daughter, now Mrs. Edgar Beal, of Sidney, who took the place in their affections of their little daughter Clara. Mr. Phelps is also survived by three brothers, Milo, James and William H. Phelps, all of Sidney. The deep sympathy of friends is extended to the bereaved family.
The services at the family home, on Wednesday afternoon were largely attended, requiring over seventy teams to convey the mourners. The floral remembrances were profuse and very beautiful, filling a large wagon load in the funeral procession. The services were conducted by the Rev. A.C. Salls, of Guilford Centre, who drew his lesson from the teachings and practice of benevolence, with appropriate and impressive examples of philanthropy. The bearers were Allen Rockwell, O.T Angell, HW. Clark, F.H. McKinnon, James L. Clark, H.J. Godfrey.
The day was one of ideal perfection. Beauty, peace and perfect rest surrounded the last sad rites in the neat and trim little village cemetery at East Guilford, which lies upon an elevation that commands a picturesque view of the valley. "Hod" himself, that good old man whose heart, though stern at times, yet tender again as a little child's, could not have wished it better. There, surrounded by heavy hearts, the affectionate husband and loyal friends was lowered into the silent chamber of death.
Like Horace G. Phelps, may we so live that when our summons comes to join the innumerable caravan, we may approach our grave as one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Obituary
Sidney Record, May 29, 1909
After long years of suffering, Horace G. Phelps, whose name during a full half century has been honored in every household throughout this locality, entered into that eternal rest which is the heritage of all, at his home near Sidney, on Monday morning, 24th inst. The news, although not unexpected, brought deep sorrow into many hearts and the family losing such a valued member, a trusty guide and wise counsellor, commands the heartfelt sympathy of an unusually large circle of friends.
As a captain of industry, Horace G. Phelps must long be remembered as an example of what untiring work, perseverance and courage can accomplish. Depending upon his own exertions, his business activities began in boyhood days, and though penniless at first, he acquired long before middle life a comfortable fortune, which accumulated as declining years advanced. Had he started life with a fortune, he probably would have died poor as Job's traditional turkey. But it was Horace G. Phelps good luck to be born poor. Life's struggle brought out his sterling, combative qualities. He breasted the storms and in the material world, became the winner.
He was a man of excellent habits, fine moral character, and sturdy constitution, which enabled him to continue his activities till long past the age at which men seek retirement from work. He was a practical, matter of fact man and not disposed to worry about things that could be bettered in other ways. His cheerful spirit remained with him to the last and he retained his clearness of intellect up to the closing days. Invariably a good neighbor and friend, his family relations were always most pleasant. He died in the 75th year of his age and the grief felt over his loss, is widespread and sincere. Never a religious man, as the term goes, Mr. Phelps believed in the Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of Man. He believed that the man who scatters flowers in the pathway of his fellowmen, who by his benevolence, lets into the dark places of life the sunshine of human sympathy and human happiness, is already following the footsteps of the Master.
Always a true friend of Sidney, he was ready to support every undertaking and contribute liberally for every worthy public cause and enterprise. He was the moving spirit in the organization of the water system, the Sidney National Bank and numerous industries and enterprises. He never entered the quicksands of politics. He was a man of business, first, last and always. His declining years were devoted to deeds of benevolence, many of which are well known in Sidney and to many hearts his memory will long be blessed.
Mr. Phelps was born in Dutchess county in 1834 and his parents moved to Guilford which he was yet a child. At the age of 22 years he purchased the homestead farm near this village, still occupied by the family, where he resided over fifty years. In 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Isabell Talcott, and his widow survives him. Their daughter Clara died when six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps practically adopted Lena, a brother's daughter, now Mrs. Edgar Beal, of Sidney, who took the place in their affections of their little daughter Clara. Mr. Phelps is also survived by three brothers, Milo, James and William H. Phelps, all of Sidney. The deep sympathy of friends is extended to the bereaved family.
The services at the family home, on Wednesday afternoon were largely attended, requiring over seventy teams to convey the mourners. The floral remembrances were profuse and very beautiful, filling a large wagon load in the funeral procession. The services were conducted by the Rev. A.C. Salls, of Guilford Centre, who drew his lesson from the teachings and practice of benevolence, with appropriate and impressive examples of philanthropy. The bearers were Allen Rockwell, O.T Angell, HW. Clark, F.H. McKinnon, James L. Clark, H.J. Godfrey.
The day was one of ideal perfection. Beauty, peace and perfect rest surrounded the last sad rites in the neat and trim little village cemetery at East Guilford, which lies upon an elevation that commands a picturesque view of the valley. "Hod" himself, that good old man whose heart, though stern at times, yet tender again as a little child's, could not have wished it better. There, surrounded by heavy hearts, the affectionate husband and loyal friends was lowered into the silent chamber of death.
Like Horace G. Phelps, may we so live that when our summons comes to join the innumerable caravan, we may approach our grave as one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
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