The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Perhaps, the most visible African American in the early days of Henderson County was the servant of the Phelps family known as "Dick Phelps," who is buried in the Oquawka Cemetery outside the fence of the Phelps lot.
Little is known about his birthplace, but an old news items does give his real name. Oct.16, 1889 Oquawka Spectator: "Richard Vaughn, better known as Dick Phelps, the colored man who has been in the Phelps family for 50 years or more recently returned to town as he always does on the approach of cold weather to the old Phelps residence now belonging to R. Hodson."
(The S.S.Phelps home on the south edge of town.)