Phillips, Capt. George 1835-1926

PHILLIPS, CARSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/4/2011 at 09:30:05

The Grinnell Herald; Jan. 19, 1926

OBITUARY NOTICE OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
(From The Brooklyn Chronicle)

Capt. George Phillips, son of George and Betsy Phillips was born in Onondago county, New York, August 12, 1835 and passed away at his home in Brooklyn, Iowa, Thursday morning, January 7, 1926. His father died when he was very young and none of his brothers and sisters are living except Dr. Albert W. Phillips of Derby, Connecticut.

Capt. Phillips spent the first 20 years of his life in Onondago county, New York. He then moved to Illinois and later to Dubuque and Waterloo, Iowa. He was a carpenter by trade and while working at his trade felt it his duty to enlist in the Civil War. He assisted in organizing the Co. H. 28th Iowa Volunteers. He enlisted in August 1862 as a lieutenant in his compnay. On August 3, 1863 he was appointed captain and served as such until the close of the war. He was with Gen. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, where many important battles were fought, among them was 17 days spent in the Vicksburg campaign. Among those of his comrades in the 28th were Rube Breniman, C.C. Cook. O.A. Drake, and B.M. Talbott and many others. In a letter written by Chaplain Simmons of the company the various battles are mentioned and then at the close of the letter he says, "Mustered out July 31, 1865. Sixty-five killed in battle, 258 wounded, 311 died of wounds and disease."

On January 1, 1867 Capt. Phillips was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Elizabeth Carson of Iowa City. To this union five children were born, Lela, Albert H., of Fairview, Montana, Effie and Dilla and Prescott who died when he was two years of age. Mrs. Phillips preceded him in death 23 years ago.

Capt. Phillips was prominent in the comercial life of Brooklyn. For awhile he was a member of the firm known as Phillips and Dorrance. In 1874 he was appointed postmaster of Brooklyn, which position he held for 13 years. For two years he served as Mayor. He was also a member of the city council and later of the school board and for four years was Clerk of the District Court at Montezuma.

Capt. Phillips was a man who took the greatest interest in all public improvement and gave largely of his time and means to make these a success.

He was a member of the Methodist Church, also a member of the Masonic fraternity at Brooklyn.

He was also a charter member of the John T. Drake Post No. 321, Grand Army of the Republic, and a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion.

Capt. Phillips was one of our highly esteemed citizens. Few have endeared themselves to the hearts of this community more than he. For the past few years he has been an invalid. His daughters have given him the best of care in his sickness. While he was past 90 years of age and was prepared to go to his reward, his loved ones were loathe to see him leave, and will miss him greatly. The sincere sympathy of many friends goes out to the sorrowing in their bereavement.

Transcriber Note: Capt. George Phillips is buried in IOOF Cemetery, Brooklyn, Iowa.