Benjamin K. Phelps

Benjamin Kinsman Phelps (September 16, 1832 – December 30, 1880 in New York City) was an American lawyer and district attorney in New York.

Early life Phelps was born in Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 16, 1832.

He attended Andover Theological Seminary, and graduated from Yale College in 1853. 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, who served as Surrogate of New York from 1887 to 1893.

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.

Personal life In October 1857, Phelps married Hannah Maria Catlin (1831–1880), a daughter of Mary (née Fisher) Catlin and Lt. Gov. Julius Catlin, and they had three children, including:

Mary Cutler Phelps (b. 1858) Anna Kinsman Phelps (b. 1865), who married William Hutchinson Merrill (1860–1913) in 1901.

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).