FRED S. PHILLIPS

Farming and stock-raising claim the attention of Fred S. Phillips, who makes his home on section 22, Dayton township, where he is cultivating a farm of ninety-two acres, lying partly within and partly adjacent to the village of Clarence. Cedar county numbers him among her native sons, for he was born December 6, 1890, on the farm where he now resides. His father, Frank E. Phillips, was born in Ohio about 1856 and was a son of Edmond Phillips, also a native of the Buckeye state, whence he removed to Iowa, settling in Cedar county among its pioneers. This was in the year 1853. For a brief period, however, he returned to Ohio, where he was living at the time of the birth of his son, Frank E. Phillips, and when the latter was an infant the family return to Iowa, establishing their home near Clarence.

Frank E. Phillips, therefore, was reraed upon the home farm and was here married to Miss Capitola Schaaf, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Jacob Schaaf, one of the early settlers, arriving here in 1853. His daughter Capitola was reared and educated here and in early womanhood gave her hand in marriage to Frank E. Phillips. As the years passed her husband prospered in his farming operations, carefully conducting his business affairs so that success rewarded his efforts. Year after year he diligently tilled the fields and his perseverance and industry brought him financial advancement, while his reliability and integrity gained for him the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and at his death, which occurred June 22, 1908, he was buried with Masonic honors. He was identified with the democratic party from the time that age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he served in several local offices of honor and trust. He filled the position of township assessor for one or more terms and received the nomination of his party for representation in the state legislature, on which occasion he was accorded a very flattering vote—a fact indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Phillips has taken charge of the farm and business and has proven herself a lady of excellent business qualifications and keen discernment. She has erected a substantial and attractive residence and altogether has a neat and well improved farm.

Fred S. Phillips remains with his mother and attends to the actual work of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He also raises and feeds stock. He is a well educated young man of good business ability and exemplary habits. He has an elder brother, E. J. Phillips, who is well educated, having pursued a five years’ course at Ames, where he made a specialty of civil engineering, and he now holds a responsible position at Gary, Indiana, and makes his home in Chicago.

Frank E. Phillips was one of the prominent and well known citizens of Cedar county, progressive and public-spirited. He not only belonged to the Masonic fraternity but also to the Modern Woodmen and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit on which those orders rest. Mrs. Phillips is a member of the Presbyterian church and her life is in harmony with its teachings. She has always lived in Cedar county, where she is widely and favorably known, having an extensive circle of friends here.