PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.
plemented this by a course of study in old Central Academy (later Prince of \Vales College) at Charlottetown and upon the completion of his studies there and the suc- cessful passing of his examinations in 1860, he entered upon his career as a surveyor, which he has continuously followed with success since that time in connection with the operation of his splendid farm, which fronts on the north side of Richland' Bay. The place is well improved and highly pro- ductive and is considered one of the choice and attractive homesteads in this vicinity. Mr. Gillis has done much surveying through this part of Prince Edward Island and is generally considered one of the most com- petent surveyors in this locality. Politically he is a Conservative and has held the ofiicial positions of fishery warden and commis- sioner for the payment of small debts on the eve of the appointment of county court judges. Religiously the family are mem- bers of the Catholic church.
On the 24th of February, 1868, Mr. Gillis married Miss Catherine A. McLellan, a daughter of Augustine and Ann (McIn- tyre) McLellan, both~ natives of Indian River, Prince Edward Island, and now deceased. To them have been born the fol- lowing children: Joseph F., a priest in Burlington, Vermont; John A., a farmer; Archibald D., a farmer at St. Peters Har- bour; Cecily A., wife of John A. McLellan, a farmer; Edward G., a successful physician at Kensington; Wilfred J., at home; David R., deceased; Martina C., at home; Stephen H., a student at McGill University: Mary A., at home; Catherine A., a student in a convent; Bernard P., a student at St. Dun— stan’s College; Lucius H. and Joseph V., at home.
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REV. WILLIAM PHELAN, the able and popular pastor of the Catholic church at Sturgeon, Kings county, was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in I836, and is a son of Patrick and Annastasia (Fewar) Phalen, both also natives of County Kilkenny.
The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of Ireland and later com- pleted his studies at Carlow College, fol- lowing which he was ordained to the priest- hood. In 1864 he came to Prince Edward Island and was appointed in charge of the parish at Vernon River, where he remained three years. He was in company with his brother for some time, the latter being also a priest on this Island, _and together they assisted in parishional work in several local- ities over a large expanse of territory. Event- ually Father Phelan was appointed to his present parish at Sturgeon, where he has since remained and has been instrumental in greatly strengthening the church both spiritually and materially. When he came here the people were in poor circumstances financially, but were blessed with an abun- dance of faith and persistence and eventu- ally succeeded in erecting a neat and substan- tial church edifice costing about fifteen thou- sand dollars, much of the decorative work having been done by their faithful pastor. He has devoted thirty—two years of his life to the people with whom he is now associated and has gained the good will of all classes of them, regardless of religious creed. He is a staunch advocate of temperance and has seen his people advance to a condition of comfort and comparative afliuence. Father Phelan is an inveterate traveler, having vis- ited all of the principal cities of the United States, Canada, Newfoundland, Spain, Italy, Switzerland. France, England, Scotland and