Edward W. Phelan Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1008, 1011 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				EDWARD W. PHELAN. 

	Edward W. Phelan, of Milbank, who for almost a third of a century 
has been roadmaster for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, is 
a native of Ireland, born in County Waterford, June 23, 1850. His 
parents, William and Mary Elizabeth (Powers) Phelan, were also natives 
of that county, the former born in 1808 and the latter in 1815. Both 
passed their entire lives there, the father dying January 6, 1865, and 
the mother in 1876. William Phelan, who was a farmer by occupation, was 
employed as caretaker on a large estate and became one of the 
substantial men of his community. He was well educated and well 
informed on all questions of general interest and his opinion was 
listened to with great respect. His religious faith was that of the 
Roman Catholic church. To him and his wife were born eleven children, 
two of whom survive, the brother of our subject being Nicholas, who is 
still living in Ireland. The family has resided in County Waterford for 
eleven hundred years . 

	Edward W. Phelan attended school in his native hand but in 1867, 
when seventeen years of age, emigrated to America and located in La 
Crosse, Wisconsin. Feeling the need of a better education, he attended 
a select school in Caledonia, that state, and also pursued a course in 
the Mayhew Business College at La Crosse, holding a life scholarship 
there. On coming to this country he was first employed on the railroad 
and held the position of section foreman for some time. For three 
months he also worked as engine wiper and was fireman on the road for 
nine months. In 1867 he went to Hokah, Minnesota, where he was 
connected with the bridge department for four years but on the 21st of 
April, 1874, returned to the track department, making his home at 
Whitehall and La Crosse, Wisconsin His ability and close application to 
business won him steady promotion and he was given charge of the 
construction of the branch road from Onalaska to La Crosse. On the 38th 
of April, 1883, he was made roadmaster for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railroad, a position which he still fills to the entire 
satisfaction of all concerned. He built the branch of that road from 
Northfield to Red Wing, Minnesota. At one time he was stationed at 
Flandreau, South Dakota, and homesteaded a farm in that vicinity, 
becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on the 
northeast quarter of section 13, township 108, range 49, Moody county, 
which property he sold in 1911. He was stationed at Northfield, 
Minnesota, for a time and while there built forty miles of railroad in 
that locality. Since April, 1883, he has resided in Milbank and in the 
more than three decades that have intervened since that time he has 
built a large amount of track for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and 
his work has gained him the commendation of his superiors. He has the 
faculty of securing the cooperation of others and those who work with 
and under him respect him highly. 

	On the 1st of May, 1877, Mr. Phelan was married to Miss Mary 
Elizabeth Brennan, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, a daughter of 
Frank and Mary (O'Hearn) Brennan, who removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, 
in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Phelan have become the parents of six children, 
namely: William E., who is chief clerk for the superintendent of the 
Three Forks division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; 
John P., who is chief train dispatcher at Missoula, Montana; George, 
who is employed in his father's office; Mary Elizabeth, the wife of 
Glenn S. Bills, an attorney of Spokane; Frank, who is assistant 
roadmaster, residing in Milbank; and E. A., who is a conductor. 

	Mr. Phelan is a republican and for eighteen years served as 
alderman of Milbank. He and his family belong to the Roman Catholic 
church and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and 
the Knights of Pythias. He has gained a gratifying measure of success 
in his chosen work and he has also won the unqualified respect and 
esteem of all who have been brought in contact with him as his life has 
conformed to high standards.