Robert Emerson Phillips

ALLEN, BEELER, DREW, LOW, LOY, PATTERSON, PHILLIPS, WINDUS

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/29/2006 at 11:23:00

Robert E. Phillips, a farmer and stockman residing on section 36, Walnut township, is a native of Iowa, born in Muscatine county on the 1st of November, 1865, a son of George W. and Mary (Loy) Phillips, both of German descent. The father was a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio but they were married in Muscatine county, Iowa, and continued to reside there until called by death. The father was a farmer and was quite successful in that occupation. His demise occurred on the 2d of January, 1907, and that of his wife in February, 1905.

Robert E. Phillips was given a common-school education and was also carefully trained in agricultural work. He remained upon the farm with his parents until twenty-one years of age and then started out for himself, renting land which he operated for four years. He saved his money carefully and at the end of that time purchased a quarter section of land just across the road from the old homestead. He resided there for eight years, when he sold his land and in 1899 came to Madison county, Iowa, purchasing two hundred and forty acres on section 36, Walnut township, and eighty-three acres on section 31, Ohio township. He resides in Walnut township and his activities as a farmer and stock-raiser yield him a handsome income. In fact he is one of the most substantial men in his locality and as he displays excellent business judgment in the management of his affairs his resources are steadily increasing.

On the 5th of January, 1887, Mr. Phillips married Miss Elizabeth Windus, a daughter of Thomas G. and Orpha (Drew) Windus, the former a native of England and the latter of Allegany county, New York. Her family was of Yankee stock and possessed the sturdy characteristics of the residents of New England. Mr. Windus was a shoemaker by trade but after his removal to Muscatine county, Iowa, which occurred in 1860, he engaged in farming. He resided upon his land until 1901, when he rented the farm and removed to West Liberty, where he lived retired until his death in 1904. His widow survives and still makes her home in that town.

Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are the parents of five children. Eva married Ben Allen, a farmer of Clarke county, Iowa, and they have four children, Ruth, Harold, Nola and Wendell. Elmer married Catherine Patterson and is a farmer of Walnut township. Wilma is the wife of Fred Beeler, a farmer of Ohio township. Edwin is assisting his father with the work of the homestead. Ada married Harry Lowe, who is engaged in the garage business in Winterset.

Mr. Phillips is a republican and for seven years has served as trustee in Walnut township and as a mentber of the district school board for ten years. Both he and his wife attend the Oak Run Christian church, in the work of which they take a praiseworthy interest. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America of Truro and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at West Liberty. His wife is a prominent member of the Rebekah Lodge at West Liberty and is a past grand. Mr. Phillips has taken considerable interest in the business expansion of the town of Peru and helped to organize the Peru Savings Bank, of which he is a stockholder. His attention is, however, in the main concentrated upon his farming and stockraising. He feeds a large number of hogs annually, specializing in the Poland China breed, and he also raises a number of shorthorn cattle which he sells to a stock buyer. All of his stock is of high grade and he takes considerable pride in his Percheron Norman horses. It is to such men as he, men who put into their farming operations the same energy, intelligence, good judgment and progressiveness that business men give to their interests, that the agricultural development of the county and state is due and it is but natural that his labors have made him financially independent.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.