James Duval Phelan A Portrait 1861-1930

Saratoga, CA: Montalvo Association. Very Good. 1965. 1st Edition; 1st Printing. Paperback. B&W Illustrations; This is a trade sized booklet with cardstock covers and a stapled spine. The booklet is in Very Good condition and was issued without a dust jacket. The booklet and its contents are in generally clean, bright condition. The text pages are clean and bright. "Phelan was born in San Francisco, the son of James Phelan and Alice Kelly. James Phelan (1819–1892) was an Irish immigrant who became wealthy during the California Gold Rush as a trader, merchant, banker and real estate investor. He founded the First National Gold Bank, later “known as the First National Bank of San Francisco. ”This was not only the “first national bank in California, ” but also “the second gold bank in the nation. ” This business venture was followed by his assistance in the “organization of the American Construction and Dredging Company. ” This company’s purpose was to dredge the Panama Canal. Shortly after he established the “Mutual Savings Bank of San Francisco. ” Not only was this what James Phelan was born into, but Phelan’s father also “established a copartnership with him comprising all of his business interests. ”" (from Wikipedia) .