Phillips, James Monroe 1831 – 1930

PHILLIPS, HURLEY, EVANS, GRABAU

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/17/2013 at 09:38:47

Source: Cresco Times November 5, 1930, Page 1

ANOTHER CIVIL WAR VETERAN IS CALLED

James Monroe Phillips Passes Away at the Advanced Age of 99 Years

J. M. Phillips of Bonair who had the distinction of being the oldest resident and Civil war veteran in Howard county passed away at his home in Albion township Thursday, October 30, 1930. Had he lived until May 11, 1931, he would have been 100 years old.

Mr. Phillips was a man of remarkable vitality and until a short time preceding his death was hale and hearty and active in the work about his farm home. He was a Cresco visitor a week before his death.

Mr. Phillips was born May 11, 1932{sic}, in Washington county, N. Y. He was named after James Monroe, fifth president of the United States. He came to Howard county in 1852 and settled on a farm in Albion township and was the oldest living pioneer of Howard county and its oldest citizen.

He enlisted in the service of his country, at New Oregon, Howard county, Nov. 1862, in Co. 1, 38th Iowa regiment volunteers, and served until mustered out at the close of the war, at Houston, Tex.

Mr. Phillips was the father of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. There were 29 grandchildren, 12 of whom are living, and 23 great grandchildren, 22 living. His wife died several years ago.

His five surviving sons and two daughters are Llewellyn and Bert at home, Howard of Lime Springs, C. G., of near Bonair, Leon of Minneapolis, Mrs. John Evans and Mrs. L. E. Grabau.

Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.

Transcriber’s Note: Cemetery records indicate Mr. Phillips was born in 1931 which would agree with him being just short of 100 years old. He was married to Rosetta Hurley.

Second Obit:

Oldest Resident of Howard County Dies
Cresco, Ia., Nov. 1 – James Monroe Phillips, 99, oldest resident of Howard county and Civil War veteran, died at his home in Albion township Thursday morning, at the advanced age of nearly 100 years. Had he lived until next May he would have rounded out a full century of life.

He was born May 11, 1831, in Washington county, N.Y., and was named after James Monroe, fifth president of the United States. He settled in Albion township, Howard county, Iowa, in 1852, having lived in the same community for a long period of 78 years, with the exception of three years service in the Civil War.

Mr. Phillips enlisted in the service of his country Nov. 4, 1863, at New Oregon, Howard county, in Company I, 38th regiment volunteers, and served until the close of the war.

He was the father of nine children. Five sons and two daughters survive: Llewelyn and Bert at home; Howard, Lime Springs; U.G. of near Bonair; Leon, Minneapolis; Mrs. John Evans and Mrs. L.E. Grabou, Bonair; besides 20 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, other relatives and a large circle of friends.

Funeral services were held at the home Saturday with interment in the Phillips cemetery at Bonair, Rev. R.R. Prescott, pastor of the Methodist church, officiated, assisted by the Masonic order of which Mr. Phillips was a member.

~source of obit & photo: Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, Dubuque, Iowa, Sunday morning edition, November 2, 1930
~transcription by S. Ferrall, Jan. 8, 2015

Phillips Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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