Joseph Lee Phelps Explained

Joseph Lee Phelps
Width:144px
Office1:MLA for Saltcoats
Term Start1:1938
Term End1:1948
Predecessor1:riding reconstituted
Successor1:Asmundur Loptson
Office2:Minister of Natural Resources and Industrial Development
Term Start2:1944
Term End2:1948
Birth Date:August 12, 1899
Birth Place:Belleville, Ontario
Party:Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Profession:farmer

Joseph Lee Phelps (August 12, 1899  - March 15, 1983[1]) was a farmer and political figure in Saskatchewan. He represented Saltcoats from 1938 to 1948 in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan as a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) member.

He was born in Belleville, Ontario and came west with his family in 1908, settling on a homestead near Wilkie, Saskatchewan. In 1918, he became a district director for the Saskatchewan Grain Growers' Association. In 1928, he participated in the convention where the United Farmers of Canada was formed. Phelps was a founding member of the Farmer-Labour party. He served in the provincial cabinet as Minister of Natural Resources and Industrial Development. Phelps was defeated when he ran for reelection to the assembly in 1948. In 1949, he helped rebuild the United Farmers of Canada into the Saskatchewan Farmers Union, serving as its president from 1949 to 1954.[2]

Phelps helped establish the Western Development Museum, as well as museums in Yorkton, Saskatoon and North Battleford.[3]

In 1982, he was named to the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Deaths . Phoenix . Saskatoon . 28 . March 17, 1983 . 2012-05-10.
  2. Encyclopedia: Phelps, Joseph (1899–1983) . Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan . Quiring . Brett . 2012-05-10.
  3. News: Belated tribute to Joe Phelps . Leader-Post . Regina . March 25, 1983 . 6 . 2012-05-10.
  4. Web site: Joseph Lee Phelps . Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame . 2012-05-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120801083049/http://www.sahf.ca/profile.php?id=107 . 2012-08-01 .