Submitted by
Loyd Bishop

Obituary

Through the dispensation of Almighty God, whose ways are mysterious and beyond our comprehension, yet by whose grace and through the love of his Son we are able to submit to his will, we are called upon to endure the loss of our dear friend and neighbor, and his family the greater loss of a loving husband and father, in the death of W. M. Howard Phelps, who died of typhoid pneumonia at his home near Autwine, Okla., on Jan. 13, 1907 at 4 o'clock a.m., aged 40 years, 8 months and 2 days. The funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. Hunter, after which remains were taken to the Blackwell cemetery and laid to rest by members of the Masonic lodge.
Mr. Phelps was born in Union county, Ohio, May 11, 1837, and was reared on a farm in Mason county. In the year 1873, at the early age of sixteen he commenced his business career by accepting a responsible position in Hanover, Ill., where he remained until 1878, when he removed to Furnza county, Neb., taking up a homestead and timber claim at that time near Beaver City. He was married to Miss Mary Scott Sept. 4, 1882. To them were born four children, Walter, Ruth, Laura, and Dorothy, all of whom survive him. He was elected clerk of Furnas county in 1881 and served two terms in that capacity.
The following beautiful tribute is Mr. Phelps was written by his life long friend, Mr. Will T. Ager after the news of his death had been received at Beaver City and published in the Beaver City Times Tribune of Jan 18th, 1907. "Wm. Howard Phelps was closely identified with the early settlement of this section of Nebraska. His reputation was far more than local in the pioneer days of Furnas county. It was state wide. In business circles he was known as a clear minded conservative financer with strong faith in the future of this beautiful valley, the realization of which believed to see.
In politics he was uncompromisingly committed to that which he deemed to be for the best interest of the community, state, and nation, and his political record is as clear and straightforward as his social life and financial career was above criticism.
Wm. Howard Phelps, the same is so familiar as to be a part of the history of Furnas county. The court house contains the record of his official acts, when he was called to serve them as county clerk and recorder, and, no cleaner record was ever made. The name recalls the memory of a thousand good deeds done when the 'Left hand knew not what the right hand did.'
Although disqualified by his natural physical deformity from being eligible to receive the mason degrees, his intrinsic worth and value to the order was recognized by the fraternity, and by special dispensation from the Grand Master of Nebraska, he was made a mason. This splendid tribute to his character as a man was one of his most cherished memories and the craft throughout the world has never had occasion to regret the honor so worthily bestowed, and now the sympathetic heart is stilled in death. The keen intellect has created to exist. The form that pain has racked with a varying degree of intensity since childhood is laid to rest, and our old time friend and neighbor is a memory. Verily 'The memory of the just is blessed, and as we mingle our tears with those of his stricken family we can, with confidence, point to a meeting beyond this transitory world, where the Grand Master of the universe forever presides and forever reigns.
Mr. Phelps left Nebraska at the time of the opening of the Cherokee strip, and made the race on horseback, securing a homestead upon which he has since resided, and through the same untiring efforts that he exhibited in his life in Nebraska he has made a home for his family that was a source of great satisfaction to him and will be a great comfort to them. He has endeared himself in the hearts of the people of this territory by his untiring efforts to benefit long after his settler associates and co-workers have gone to their reward.
Almost as soon as he had located on what has become his beautiful "shady nook" farm, he commenced to exert an influence is the organization of the community, county and state. He organized the first chartered county farmers institute, and took a deep interest and prominent part in the initial organization of the Territorial board of Agriculture, never failing to attend each annual meeting and took a leading part. He instituted, organized and was the continuous President of the Oklahoma Corn Breeders and Growers Association, was chairman of the Kay County Democratic committee, and active and intelligent farmer. Successful in his undertakings, a citizen in the best sense of the word. The territory as well as his neighbors will feel the absence of his kindly, sympathy, and ripened judgment, and never failing enthusiasm.
He consecrated himself to God at the age of fifteen and his life is full of beautiful deeds and of his abiding faith in his redeemer.
Thus closes a life, the example of honesty, integrity, industry and true christian worth of which it was filed, is worthy of emulation.

WM Howard Phelps Dead

WM Howard Phelps of Autwine, the well known agronomist, died at his home last Sunday after short illness of pneumonia. The announcement was a severe shock to the many friends of Mr. Phelps in this city who had not even heard of his illness. Mr. Phelps was one of our most active men and in his death this county and territory suffer a decided loss. He was for years chairman of the democratic county central committee and his counsel carried weight with the leaders of his party all over the territory, but he was best known and most admired as an untiring worker for the agriculturists of the territory, and more especially along the line of corn production. He was president of the Oklahoma Corn Breeders association, an officer of the Kay County Farmers Institute, and his addresses before both bodies have always been scholarly and effective. Mr. Phelps has spent years in the development of corn by breeding and seed selection and has been eminently successful, and the corn now being grown all over this territory bearing his name will be a lasting monument to his energy and ability. Mr. Phelps was one of our pioneers, making the race for a claim and securing one of the best on the Chicaskia located near Autwine. He has made of it a veritable garden spot and an ideal home. Handicapped by nature physically, he was one of the brightest men mentally we have ever met, and was simply untiring in his zeal for the betterment of his family and the general public, and all will suffer keenly by his death. His home life was exemplary and as a husband and father he will be best loves and longest remembered.
The writer deemed it a pleasure to have the friendship of such a man, but we lacked the intimate acquaintanceship necessary to pay a proper tribute of respect to his memory and deeds. We appreciate the deep affliction of the widow and children, and join with the general public in extending to them our most sincere sympathy.