PHILLIPS, MONROE N.

PHILLIPS, NEWCOMER, GREEN, DAILY

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 10/9/2003 at 16:58:22

Biography reproduced from page 569 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Monroe N. Phillips owns and operates two hundred and forty acres of land, three miles southwest of Algona in Cresco township, where he has resided for eighteen years. He was born in Pennsylvania on the 27th of October, 1864, and is a son of the late Joseph and Kate (Newcomer) Phillips, also natives of the Keystone state. At the age of about twenty years the father left his native state and went to Illinois and engaged in farming. Two years later he continued his journey westward, locating in Jasper county, Iowa. There he acquired some land which he cultivated for about fifteen years, but at the expiration of that time he went to Missouri and continued his agricultural pursuits until his death in 1900. The mother is living at the age of sixty-eight and makes her home on the old farm in Jasper county.

Monroe N. Phillips was reared on the homestead in Jasper county and acquired his education in the common schools. After laying aside his text-books he gave his undivided attention to farming and operated the home place for his mother until his marriage. He then began farming for himself and two years later, in the spring of 1894, he came to Kossuth county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land three miles southwest of Algona. In the operation of this farm he met with such gratifying returns that he was later able to extend his holdings by the purchase of another eighty acres. Since locating here he has effected quite extensive improvements in his property and now has one of the best cultivated farms in Cresco township. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and is meeting with good success in both, as he directs his undertakings in an intelligent and systematic manner.

On the 10th of February, 1892, Mr. Phillips was united in marriage to Miss Ola B. Green, a daughter of Henry and Lauraetta (Daily) Green, natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who was a farmer, removed to Illinois during the pioneer days, but later went to Jasper county, Iowa. There he purchased some land which he cultivated for many years, but having heard advantageous reports regarding Kansas he subsequently took a trip through that state and filed on a claim. Later he came back to Iowa but only remained a short time, then went back to his claim, and there he died on the 8th day of October, 1878. The mother continued to live on the homestead in Jasper county until her death on September 22, 1903. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips: Erma L., who is fifteen years of age and a student in the public schools of Algona; and Alma M., who is eleven, also going to school.

The family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Phillips belongs to the Yeoman and gives his political support to the republican party. He is discharging the duties of township clerk and he is also serving as a school director. He is one of the prosperous agriculturists of the county and in addition to his fine farm is a stockholder in the Hobart Creamery Company, at Hobart. Mr. Phillips is a man of much determination of purpose and tireless energy and those who know him realize that his success must be largely attributed to his diligence and perseverance.