Senator Julian Phelps View All Years

Compiled Historical Information
Date of Death: 2/25/1913
Party Affiliation: Republican
Assemblies Served:
Senate: 25 (1894) - 26 (1896)
Home County: Cass
Julian Phelps
Cass County

JULIAN PHELPS

MR. PRESIDENT—Your committee appointed to draft resolutions commemorative of the life, chapacter and services of ex-Senator Julian Phelps, beg leave to submit the following report:

Julian Phelps was born in Chittenden County, Vermont, April 4, 1838, and was a son of Wm. E. and Arsula Phelps, both being natives of the Green Mountain state and descendants of families who had lived in that section since colonial times.

He grew to manhood in his native state and was there educated. In 1860 he entered the State University of Vermont. In the spring of 1864, being then in his senior year, he enlisted in the 11th Vermont Infantry. The custom of the university, as many other educational institutions, permitted their senior students to enter the war and graduate with their class. Prior to the college commencement Mr. Phelps was wounded in the battle of Cold Harbor and was sent to the hospital. He had sufficiently recovered in June to return to college and was present at the graduation and delivered his oration in a soldier’s uniform, being supported by a cane. After graduation he turned to the war and served to its close. He was in the battles of Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, Petersburg and many other battles under Grant. In 1865 he entered Albany, New York, Law School, receiving his degree from that institution in 1867. In the fall of that year he came to Lewis, Iowa, then the county seat of Cass County, and there formed a partnership for the practice of law with the late Judge Henry Temple under the firm name of Temple & Phelps. Later Frank O. Temple, a son of the senior member, was taken into the business and the name of the firm was Temple, Phelps & Temple. This partnership lasted until after the death of Judge Temple, and thereafter the name of the firm was Phelps & Temple until the death of the junior member. When the county seat was moved to Atlantic Mr. Phelps moved to that town and there continued in the practice of law. In 1893 he was elected to the State Senate from the Cass Shelby district and served his state as Senator in the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth and Twenty-sixth Extra General Assemblies. In 1897 at the close of his Senatorial term President McKinley appointed him consul to Crefeld, Germany, which position was ably filled by him for four years. Sometime after his return from abroad he located at Hollywood, California, where he continued to live until his death, February 25, 1913.

In 1869 he was married to Miss Mary A. Case, who died the following year, leaving an infant son, who soon followed her to the beyond. Some years after he was married to Percis M. Case, a sister of his first wife. His wife and two children, Mrs. Anna Temple and Will P. Phelps, are left surviving him to mourn his loss.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Phelps-The Oakes-was situated in a natural grove and adjoined the city of Atlantic. The door of their home was ever open to friends and neighbors, who recall their hospitality and kindness with pleasant memories.

Be it Resolved, That the private and public life of Julian Phelps was an open book and bears testimony to a fine, patriotic, noble and conscientious life, whose every act was for the uplift and betterment of humanity.

That as senator and consul he gave to the state and nation conscientious and faithful service.

That this memorial be entered upon the Senate Journal and an engrossed copy thereof, duly authenticated, be sent to the widow of the deceased.

THOS. H. SMITH,

CLEM F. KIMBALL,

JOHN L. WILSON,

Committee.