The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-24

country for material that would do good TO
the eyes of his guests, and their meeting
room on Christmas night was to have
brought back to them memories dear of tie
homes they had left for the goldfields OF
California in 1913.
The deceased was ~ years OF age, yet he
was quite an active man up to the time he
was compelled, in the first DAYS of this
month. TO keep to his private rooms.
The first intimalion his family ana friends
had that his health was not at its strongest
was about one year ago, when he was CON-
PEELED 10 leave San Jose. bis favorite dwell
ing place, for n residence In the south. He
recovered sufficiently, however 10 warrant
the belief that he had a new lease of lite.
and he came here couple of months ago to
prepare fer Christmas.
His regular physician, DR.. Bazet aud his
friend, DIR. McNutt. had misgivings regard
ing his health and watched him closely. A
week ago they informed the family that the
worst must soon be expected.
Their Judgment proved correct, and on
Thursday Mrs. Phelan, with her son. james
D., and her daughters, Mrs. Frank j. SuIli-
van and Miss Nlollie Phelan, were sum
moned hastily to the bedside of their dying
husband and father.
Their sad vigil lasted throughout the
afternoon and night. without the slightest
hope being held forth, and they closed
his eyes in peace at BIS o'clock in the
morning
The deceased was born in Grantstown,
Queens County, Ireland, in 1921. He was
the youngest son OF three who came to
America in 1927 with their parents, and
some years later he was seized with the
fever of gold that started as an epidemic
from the new FL Dorado.
Prior to that time he traded In the South
and West with considerable success, and
when in 1S4S he branched out to California
he was already man of means, a wealthy
man In fact, as compared with the knights
of fortune who were then on the road He
is reputed to have put his single up as
merchant and real estate SPECTATOR in this
citv backed with a capital OF $4,000.
lie had full confidence in the future of
this country and purchased land, not only
to the extent of his original capital but with
means he obtained by hypotheeating his
purchases.
His ventures prospered. and he was one
OF the first among the argonauts to ship the
products OF the State to the East by the
water route.
AT the present time his estate is one of
the most valuable in the West. His own
iugs comprise the best in fruit and agricul-
tural lands in California, aud many fine
edlnceS in this city. San Jose and other
places stand as monuments 10 his correct
judgment of values,
lie was the first president of the First
National Gold Bank. which he organized in
1870, and which is now the First National
Bank of San Francisco.
He interested himself heavily in the
American company which contracted for
the dredging work on the Panama canal,
and that enterprise is the only shining light
in the whole affair. The stock, selling at
$50 share, has paid 1926 a share in divi-
bends in five years.
The deceased was member OF the Soci-
ely of California Pioneers. He leaves a
widow and three children.
The funeral will take place Monday
morning at ST. Ignatius Church.