Francis P. A. Phelps

    Francis P. A. Phelps, attorney at law, was born in Jackson County, Indiana, December 4, 1822. His parents, George A. and Rebecca Phelps, removed to this county in 1824, shortly after its organization, and settled on what was subsequently the site of Brooklyn. In 1826, Mr. Phelps was elected Sheriff, the second person who held that office, and removed to Martinsville. In 1828, he was elected clerk of the county, the second incumbent of that office, which position he held at his death, February 25, 1833, and, strangely true! died on the same day and month, thirty years afterward. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are living and reside in Martinsville.

    Francis P. A. had but meager facilities for education in boyhood, yet later attended two sessions at the county seminary. At the age of twenty-one, he served as Deputy Sheriff, with full management of the office. In 1846, he was elected Sheriff, re-elected in 1848, and on October 21 of that year married Miss Eleanor E. Tull; they have seven children -Zerilda, Tull, Allen H., Francis P.A., William C., Eleanor E. and Thursa R. After this time, Mr. Phelps engaged in the drug business at Martinsville for five years, during which he studied law, engaged in its practice in 1857, and in February, 1883, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney for this district. He was a Whig, is a Republican, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has a good residence in town, and 220 acres adjacent.

Source: Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. Charles Blanchard, Editor. F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.