Windham

PHELPS, Brigham Thomas

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 308 
(portrait p 308)

Brigham Thomas PHELPS, of Westminster [Windham County, Vermont] was born 04 
May 1841 in Grafton [Windham County, Vermont], son of John and Judith H. 
(BRIGHAM) PHELPS. In 1849 he removed with his parents to Walpole [Cheshire 
County], New Hampshire, remaining there six years, and from there to 
Westminster, where he now resides. He was educated in the common schools of 
Walpole, New Hampshire, Westminster Academy, and at the Bryant & Stratton 
Commercial College of San Francisco [San Francisco County], California. He 
entered business life in the employment of Brigham & Balch, wholesale 
commission merchants of San Francisco, and there continued until failing 
health admonished him that an outdoor life was a necessity, and upon 
deliberation he decided to move to Westminster and engage in tobacco raising 
and general farming, which he did in 1870.

In August 1862 Mr. [Brigham Thomas] PHELPS enlisted in Company I, Twelfth 
Vermont Volunteers, and was a corporal of his company. His regiment was 
ordered to the defenses of Washington and was there in Casey's Division and 
was afterwards attached to the first corps (General REYNOLDS) of the Army of 
the Potomac, and honorably discharged 14 July 1863. In 1864 he recruited and 
was elected first lieutenant of Company B, Twelfth Regiment Vermont State 
Militia.

Republican. In 1871 was appointed deputy sheriff of Windham County, which 
office he held for ten years. Has been called to serve his town in many 
official capacities, as first constable, auditor, tax collector, and was 
elected in 1888 to represent his town in the legislature, where he served on 
the committee on agriculture. He is a member of E. H. Stoughton Post, Grand 
Army of the Republic No. 34, of Bellows Falls [Windham County, Vermont], and 
was its commander for two years, 1891-1892, and of the Temple Lodge, Free & 
Accepted Masons, of Bellows Falls, also of the Chapter and of the Hugh De 
Payen's Commandery of Keene [Cheshire County], New Hampshire.

In July 1874 he [Brigham Thomas PHELPS] married Annie O., daughter of Nodiah 
L. and Eliza A. (BURROUGHS) HOLTON, of Westminster [Windham County, Vermont]. 
Mr. and Mrs. PHELPS are the inventors of the Excelsior square system of 
cutting ladies' and childrens' garments, which is of such value that it has 
found its way into every state in the Union. In recent years Mr. PHELPS has 
also conducted this business in connection with the management of his farm.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly