Benjamin K. Phelps
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Kinsman Phelps was an American lawyer and politician from New York
.
, and graduated from Yale College
in 1853. Then he studied law in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
and Westchester County, New York
, and was admitted to the bar in 1855 in Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1856, he removed to New York City
and practiced law there in partnership with his Yale classmate Sherman W. Knevals (1832-1908).
In October 1857, Phelps married Hannah M. Catlin, a daughter of Lt. Gov. Julius Catlin
, and they had three children.
From 1866 to 1870, Phelps was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. In 1869, he was sent to North Carolina
to take charge of the proceedings against the officers of the USS Hornet
, charged with a violation of the Neutrality laws.
In 1872, he formed a new law firm "Arthur, Phelps, Knevals & Ransom" with Chester A. Arthur
, his old partner Knevals, and Rastus S. Ransom (1839-1914, Surrogate of New York 1887-93).
In November 1872, Phelps was elected on the Republican ticket New York County District Attorney
, and remained in office until his death, being re-elected in 1875 and 1878.
In October 1880, Phelps became ill, and never fully recovered. His wife died on December 21, and Phelps himself died nine days later of "internal hemorrhage" at his residence at 101 West 47th Street. Phelps was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York).
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Life
He was the only child of the Rev. Dudley Phelps (1797-1849), a Congregational clergyman, and Ann (Kinsman) Phelps (1808-1834). He attended Andover Theologigal SeminaryAndover Newton Theological School
Andover Newton Theological School is a graduate school and seminary located in Newton, Massachusetts. It is America's oldest graduate seminary and the nation's first graduate institution of any kind...
, and graduated from Yale College
Yale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
in 1853. Then he studied law in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 380,841 people, 144,455 households, and 98,807 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 149,961 housing units at an average density of 171 per square mile...
and Westchester County, New York
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
, and was admitted to the bar in 1855 in Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1856, he removed to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and practiced law there in partnership with his Yale classmate Sherman W. Knevals (1832-1908).
In October 1857, Phelps married Hannah M. Catlin, a daughter of Lt. Gov. Julius Catlin
Julius Catlin
Julius Catlin was an American politician who was the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1858 to 1861.Julius Catlin had a sister, Flora Catlin, who lived with him after the death of their father. She was an artist and a teacher of the arts at the Hartford Female Seminary.New York D.A. Benjamin...
, and they had three children.
From 1866 to 1870, Phelps was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. In 1869, he was sent to North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
to take charge of the proceedings against the officers of the USS Hornet
USS Hornet (1865)
The USS Hornet was the fifth United States Navy ship to bear the name Hornet. She was originally the Confederate blockade runner CSS Lady Stirling, built by James Ash at Cubitt Town, London in 1864...
, charged with a violation of the Neutrality laws.
In 1872, he formed a new law firm "Arthur, Phelps, Knevals & Ransom" with Chester A. Arthur
Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States . Becoming President after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, Arthur struggled to overcome suspicions of his beginnings as a politician from the New York City Republican machine, succeeding at that task by embracing...
, his old partner Knevals, and Rastus S. Ransom (1839-1914, Surrogate of New York 1887-93).
In November 1872, Phelps was elected on the Republican ticket New York County District Attorney
New York County District Attorney
The New York County District Attorney is the elected district attorney for New York County , New York. The office is responsible for the prosecution of violations of New York state laws....
, and remained in office until his death, being re-elected in 1875 and 1878.
In October 1880, Phelps became ill, and never fully recovered. His wife died on December 21, and Phelps himself died nine days later of "internal hemorrhage" at his residence at 101 West 47th Street. Phelps was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York).
Sources
- Vital Records of Haverhill, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849 (death of Ann K. Phelps, page 460)
- SKETCHES OF THE NOMINEES in NYT on October 13, 1875
- A BRIGHT CAREER ENDED; DEATH OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY BENJAMIN K. PHELPS in NYT on December 31, 1880
- FUNERAL OF BENJAMIN K. PHELPS in NYT on January 3, 1881