Capt. A. M. Phillips(1841-1918)

PHILLIPS, KING

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 11/17/2008 at 00:14:18

Maquoketa Excelsior-Record
January 22, 1918

Capt. A. M. Phillips Departs From Us
Death Calls Citizen Who Enjoyed Respect of the People of This City and County.
Was a Veteran of the Civil War, Taking Part in Many Battles.

Capt. A. M. Phillips, one of Maquoketa’s best known and most respected citizens, passed away at his home in the Second ward Monday morning about seven o’clock. When this news came to the people they received a shock for he has the respect of all, and although he has been in poor health for the past few weeks, the past few days the end was expected by his close friends and relatives, yet they were not prepared for the news.

He and his wife have been living at their residence on Fifth street, and she being in ill health for more than the past four years, he has lived during that time a true life of sacrifice. His entire time was devoted to taking care of her and showing her every attention day and night. He has always followed the idea that to claim to be a friend meant to live that principle at all times, and those who knew him as a friend, (and there were many) could always count on his loyalty. On any subject he always took a stand and was ready to work to that end, no matter what the cost.

As a soldier, a public spirited business man, a friend and private citizen, Capt. Phillips was always counted as A No. 1, and the respect of the people was his. He had more enthusiasm for Old Glory than did the strongest of us, and nobody ever need be without the flag if their wants were made known to him. The municipal flag staff will always stand at the corner of Main and Platt streets as a monument to his memory, for he it was who first suggested that it be purchased, and through his untiring efforts was it made possible to have it erected. Long may it stand and long may its banner float to the breeze, not only as an emblem of the patriotism of our people, but to the glory of this old patriot who fought for the country which it represents and who put n so much of his efforts to have them both placed there.

He will be missed, not by the men and women of this community alone, but by the younger generation who also knew him for his worth as their friend.

Captain A. M. Phillips was born in Chautauqua county, New York, on July 2, 1841, and descended from old Revolutionary stock.

He was reared at home and largely acquired his education in the common schools, but afterwards had the benefit of a short course in the Jamestown (New York) Academy. He was seventeen years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Bellevue, where he secured a position in the mercantile establishment of his uncle, Jasper Phillips, by whom he was employed until his father’s removal to the farm two years later. Captain Phillips then remained upon the farm up to the time of his enlistment for service in the Civil war, on the 9th of August, 1862. He became a member of Co. I, 31st Iowa Infantry, and thus served until the close of the war. When sent to the front from Davenport he was a noncommissioned officer, and for about eighteen months carried a musket. On the 29th of August, 1862 he was made first lieutenant and at Woodville, Alabama, after the battle of Look Out Mountain, he was commissioned captain of his company, on the 20 of February, 1864. He was wounded at Iuka, Mississippi, at Look Out Mountain, but led the forces of Company I until the close of hostilities. He was a member of the famous Fifteenth Army Corps, which General Sherman said did more marching and fighting than any other corps during the war. Captain Phillips was one of a number of men who were detailed to guard the gunboat that was sunk by the shore batteries at Vicksburg.

He participated in all the battles in which his regiment and brigade took part throughout the entire war, having never been away from duty in any important action of his command of his company for six months previous to this time and he continued to Atlanta where he was shot completely through the body, the surgeons saying that he could not live fifteen minutes. This occurred on the 23d day of August, 1861. At Vicksburg, the Thirty-first Regiment occupied the extreme right and on the monument erected by the state of Iowa to the soldiers of the Civil war on Look Out Mountain the names of the Thirty-first Regiment appear on the right face.

Captain Phillips was mustered out of service July 4, 1865, at Davenport, and immediately returned to Jackson county, where he purchased a farm about six miles west of Bellevue. On this he made his home for a number of years and when the law was passed, whereby the old plan of a supervisor for every township was superseded by the plan of three supervisors for the entire county, he was elected to the board. Captain Phillips engaged in general farming until 1870, when he removed to Andrew and there conducted a store. Later he disposed of that business and established the first creamery in Jackson county, conducting it for three years, and then engaged in the drug business which he established and conducted for twenty-four years beginning in 1882.

In 1906 he was appointed postmaster at Maquoketa and served faithfully for two terms. He was loyal to the trust reposed in him and his course was a most commendable one.

On the 23d of August, 1862, Captain Phillips was married to Miss Melissa King of Jackson county, the wedding being celebrated during a thirty days furlough which had been granted him for meritorious service. Unto this marriage were born the following children: Wiley M., who is engaged in the laundry business at Crookston, Minn.; Charles, who is engaged in land investment in Oklahoma, but at present at home; Frank who passed away several years ago and Dr. E. A. Phillips, one of our prominent local dentists.

Captain Phillips was fraternally connected with Helion Lodge, No. 36, A. F. and A. M.; Bath Kol Chapter, No. 94, R. A. M.; Tancred Commandery, No, 40, K. T.; and Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also was a member of R. N. Smith Post, G. A. R., of Andrew, and throughout his entire life, he has been as true and loyal to his country in days of peace as when he wore the blue uniform and defended the Stars and Stripes upon the battlefields of the south.