Background
He was born in Donegal, the son of Peter and Catherine McPhelim, and came to Buctouche, New Brunswick with his family in 1821.
He was born in Donegal, the son of Peter and Catherine McPhelim, and came to Buctouche, New Brunswick with his family in 1821.
He represented Kent County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1850 to 1865. He went into business there as a merchant and shipper. He supported the Intercolonial Railway and did not support Confederation.
After he was defeated in 1865, he was named high sheriff for Kent County.
McPhelim died in Buctouche the following year.
McPhelim served in the province"s Executive Council as postmaster general, becoming the first Roman Catholic member of the council.