US Congressman. A native of New York, Phelps first moved to California in 1849 following the Gold Rush. In 1855 he was elected to serve in the California State Assembly until 1857, when he was elected to the state Senate. In 1861, after turning down a nomination to campaign for Governor of California, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives serving until 1863. He would later make an unsuccessful campaign for Governor of California in 1875 against William Irwin. With the coming of the Civil War, he became close friends with President Abraham Lincoln and would serve as an advisor to the president on the West Coast. In 1865, he helped to found the Southern Pacific Railroad and would serve as its first president until 1868. He also served as collector of customs in San Francisco from 1870 until 1872 and again from 1890 until 1893.
US Congressman. A native of New York, Phelps first moved to California in 1849 following the Gold Rush. In 1855 he was elected to serve in the California State Assembly until 1857, when he was elected to the state Senate. In 1861, after turning down a nomination to campaign for Governor of California, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives serving until 1863. He would later make an unsuccessful campaign for Governor of California in 1875 against William Irwin. With the coming of the Civil War, he became close friends with President Abraham Lincoln and would serve as an advisor to the president on the West Coast. In 1865, he helped to found the Southern Pacific Railroad and would serve as its first president until 1868. He also served as collector of customs in San Francisco from 1870 until 1872 and again from 1890 until 1893.
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