Orleans

PHELPS, Frederic B.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 310-311 
(portrait p 310)

Frederic B. PHELPS, of Irasburg [Orleans County, Vermont], was born 08 
February 1829 in Belchertown [Hampshire County], Massachusetts, son of 
William and Maria (FORWARD) PHELPS. While fitting for college at the 
academy at Belchertown he was allured by the golden promise of wealth offered 
in California in 1849, and emigrated to that state, where he remained eight 
years, during which time he acquired a thorough practical knowledge of 
Spanish and other European languages. On his return East he resumed his 
studies and graduated from the Hartford Theological Seminary in 1870.

He was ordained and installed as pastor of the Congregational church at 
Lowell [Orleans County, Vermont] 18 October 1870, where he continued his 
ministerial services for nine years, the latter portion of the time also 
preaching in Westfield [Orleans County, Vermont]. In both these places many 
members were added to the church through his energetic efforts. In 1879 he 
was installed at St. Johnsbury East [Caledonia County, Vermont], where he 
remained four years and finally, after six years of ministerial labor in 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire, was called to Irasburg, where he is now 
engaged in the labor of his profession. During the twenty-three years of his 
pastoral labors he lost but three Sabbaths from sickness, and he has 
frequently aided in revival work in parishes other than his own.

He has been a Republican since the formation of the party [1854]. He was a 
member of the state convention that nominated John A. ANDREW for Governor of 
Massachusetts. For four years he was superintendent of schools in Lowell 
[Lowell in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, or Lowell in Orleans County, 
Vermont?], and also served on school committees in Erving [Franklin County], 
Massachusetts, and Sullivan [Cheshire County], New Hampshire. For some time 
he was chaplain of Mt. Norris Lodge of Grand Templars at Lowell [Vermont, or 
Massachusetts?], and he has held a similar position in the lodge at Erving, 
Massachusetts.

Rev. Mr. [Frederic B.] PHELPS has been twice married. On 10 January 1859 at 
Belchertown [Hampshire County], Massachusetts, he [Frederic B. PHELPS] was 
married, first, to Damaris S., daughter of Jared and Julia (STORRS) CLARK; 
she died five years later, having been the mother of two sons, both of 
whom died in infancy. On 19 April 1865 at North Amherst [Hampshire County], 
Massachusetts, he [Frederic B. PHELPS] married, second, Sarah T., daughter of 
Daniel and Tammy (EASTMAN) DICKINSON. By her he has had seven children: 
Frederic William (deceased), Charles Dickinson, Edith Sophia (deceased), 
Myron Austin, Julia Eastman, Florence Dell, and Isabelle Maud.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly