The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-24
JAMES PHELAN DEAD.
The California Liquor Seller
Who Became a Capitalist
Blaine Stronger and More Cheerful
Montague Williams, the Famous
English Lawyer, Dead.

Fan Francisco, Dec. 2s-James Phelan, the
millionaire, died OF congestion OF the brain at
his home, corner of Valencia and Seventeenth
Streets at 3:l5 this morning. Death had been
expected for several weeks, as he had been fall
ing rapidIy of late. He had been confined to his
room for over two months, and for the last two
weeks was unconscious. DIR. Bazet was In con-
slant attendance At the bedside and held fire.
quent consultations with DR.. McNutt, but they
could offer no encouragement to the dying
mans family. Yesterday the condition of the
sick man indicated that he had but few hours
TO live, and the entire family was Summoned to
his bedside There were present this morning
at the deathbed Mrs. Phelan, the son, James D.,
and two daughters, Mrs. Frank J. Sullivan and
Miss Moliie Phelan, and the son-in-iaw. Frank
Sullivan. The funeral will take place Monday
morning from st. Ignatius' church.
Queens county, Ireland in 1921. His father saw no
field for his growing family in Ireland and
enigrated to United States. He settled in New
1 ork city, where he reared his family, consist
ing of three sons Deceased received the rudi-
ments OF his education in the common schools
OF New York. He entered a merchandise store
as clerk and began his business career at q sal
airy OF s75 a month Having accumulated suf-
hcIent to enter into business for himself he
New YORK. Pennsylvania, and the principal
cities OF the South. He dealt in properties of
various kinds; everything. in fact, on which a
gold discovery in California reached him he
loaded a ship with merchandise for the port of
San francisco. 1t was wrecked, and he lost all
on board. He came to California via the
the Panama fever. but soon rseov-
cred and fually arrived in san Fran
cisco In August. 1S49 He possessed about
s4o,UUo, and at once entered into active business
He invested in different speculatons which
ness ends ne borrowed immense sums of money,
but realized profits from the enterprises. Being
followed to San Francisco by his brother in the
year ls43 the wholesale liquor house of J. & NJ.
Pheian was opened. which did stupendous
business. He was engaged in this business for
several years, when the partnership was dis
solved, and Mr. Pheian retired from active BUSH
ness TO manage his other affairs. At st. Mary
cathedral, San Francisco, on the 18th day of
May, 1882 by Most Rev. Archbishop Alemany.
jeremiah Kelly, of Brooklyn, n Y. He had
three children, a son and two daughters, He
was member of the society of California Pho
neers. and was one of the founders of the First
National Gold bank, the first of its kind in the
state. He was chosen president but retired on
account OF ill health. San Francisco was his
home, although much OF his time has been
taken up in Europe in travel, both Tor pleasure
and health.
James Pheian was we'll known in Seattle.
where he loaned large sums OF money on bust
ness property. He was a business friend OF
John Collins, and assisted the latter to rebuild
the Occidental block after the great
| fire. 1t was ct ono time reported
that Mr.. Phelan had purchased the
| block. Mr.. Phean visited Seattle frequently
before and after the fire, and had great conf
dence in the city. He was a stout, red-faced
| man, of a decidedly Irish cast of features, and
| little given to talking about his affairs.