James Phelps (politician)

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James Phelps was a politician from Connecticut.

Phelps was the son of Lancelot Phelps. He was born in Colebrook, Litchfield County, Connecticut, on the 12th of January, 1822. He was educated at Trinity College in Hartford and Yale Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1845 and practiced law in Essex, Connecticut.

In 1853, 1854 and 1856 Phelps was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives. He served in the Connecticut Senate from 1858-1859. From 1873-1875 he served as a state judge.

On April 5th, 1875 Phelps was elected to congress with 51.65% of the vote beating Stephen W. Kellogg. In 1876 he again beat Kellogg, this time with 53.42% of the vote. In 1878 he beat Benjamin Douglas with 53.19% of the vote. In 1880 he beat Thomas Wallace with 51.72% of the vote.

After his service in congress he went back to his law practice. He died in Essex on January, 15 in 1900.