Edward Phelan

Edward Phelan, also Phalen or Felyn, was an early settler of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Phelan was born in approximately 1811 in Derry, Ireland and later became, along with John Hays and William Evans, one of the first settlers of Saint Paul. Phelan was later accused of Hays' murder, the first ever in Saint Paul, but was acquitted. He was indicted for perjury a year later but fled to California before he could be prosecuted. Phelan was killed by his companions in what they describe as self-defense before he could reach California. Many locations in Saint Paul, Minnesota are named after Phelan as a result of his early land claims. Phelan's name was spelled variously and as a result most locations are named Phalen and not Phelan

Early life

Phelan was born in approximately 1811 in Derry, Ireland. He emigrated to the United States and on June 8, 1835 he enlisted in the U.S. Army in New York City. Three years later he was discharged by reason of "expiration of service" at Fort Snelling which was, at that time, in Wisconsin Territory. A military report described him as having, "gray eyes, brown hair, fair complexion and was six feet two and one-half inches high". (1.89 m)