Phillips, William H.

PHILLIPS, WISE, SCARBROUGH, BAIR, ALLFREE, MORRIS, WALTERS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/13/2009 at 18:09:59

William H. Phillips, a prominent and well-known citizen who is now serving as Trustee of Sherman Township, Jasper County follows farming on section 24. He is widely and favorably known in this community, where be has made his home since 1860. He was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, February 20, 1832, and is the son of Henry and Maria (Wise) Phillips, the former a native of England, and the latter of Maryland. The father was born in 1805, and when eighteen years of age immigrated to America, locating in Ohio. Of his children, seven yet survive: Elizabeth, wife of John Scarbrough; William H.; Thomas R.; Henry H.; Mary A., wife of Simon Bair; Maria Jane, wife of John Allfree; and Martha, wife of W. H. Morris.

Our subject spent the first eight years of his life in his native country, and then, with his parents removed to Knox County, Ohio, in 1840. He there grew to manhood, spending his youth in aiding in the labors of the farm, or in attending the subscription and district schools of the neighborhood, where he acquired his education. During his early boyhood, we find him in a log schoolhouse, which was furnished with slab seats and a writing desk made of boards resting upon wooden pins inserted into the wall. The roof was made of clapboards, and the building was heated with an immense fireplace.

After arriving at years of maturity, Mr. Phillips was married in Ohio, in August 1859, to Miss Sarah V. Walters, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Aaron Walters. By their union have been born five children, three of whom are yet living: William F, Charles H. and Sadie D. Three now deceased are Annie M. and Hattie B.

In 1860, Mr. Phillips determined to seek his fortune in the west, and came with his family to Iowa, locating in Jasper County. The journey was made with a two-horse team and wagon had a horse and buggy. At night they camped along the wayside and in the morning resumed their journey. After twenty-eight days of travel they reached their destination. Mr. Phillips located upon the farm which is still his home, but the highly cultivated, tract of today been little resemblance to the tract of unbroken prairie, which he purchased. He now owns a well-improved farm of two hundred and eighty acres and in connection with its cultivation he raises a good grade of stock. His possessions have all been acquired through his own efforts and stand as monuments to his enterprise.

Mr. Phillips has served as Constable of Sherman Township and is now filling the office of Trustee. For nineteen years he has been connected with the School Board, and for thirteen years was Treasurer of the township school fund. His public duties have always been discharged in a prompt and able manner, which has won him the high commendation of all concerned. In polities he is a strong Republican, and socially was in former years identified with the Odd Fellows' Society. The best interests of the community ever find in Mr. Phillips a friend, who is ready to aid in the advancement of all enterprises calculated to prove of public good. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 193.