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Few men reach the advanced
age of eighty-seven and those who by reason of strength survive
until that age are deserving of honor, especially when, as in the
case of James Phillipps, their lives have been uniformly
upright and honorable and filled with useful activity. He was
born on the 10th of September, 1827, a son of Martin and Lucy
(Tubbs) Phillipps. In that early day schools in the middle west
were scarce and those that did exist offered but a meager
education. Because of these conditions Mr. Phillipps had very
limited schooling, but his native intelligence and his powers of
observation have enabled him to become a man of much practical
wisdom. He followed farming throughout his active life and, as he
possessed unflagging industry and as he practiced efficient
methods of agriculture, he prospered and acquired a competence.
He is now living retired in Delhi, enjoying the ease that should
belong to a man of his years.
On November 1, 1855, Mr. Phillipps was united in
marriage to Miss Nancy C. Dahlrymple, a daughter of John E. and
Nancy Dahlrymple. To them five children were born: Almira; Lilly,
the wife of Swan Moline; Esther; Jennie and Nellie. Mrs.
Phillipps passed away in November, 1904, and was buried in Delhi
cemetery.
Mr. Phillipps has never been active in politics,
although he served as school director for a few terms. He did his
share for the agricultural development of Delaware county as a
farmer and stock raiser and richly deserves the rest which is now
his. His son-in-law, Mr. Moline, lives with him. Mr. Phillipps
can remember many happenings and many conditions of life that to
the present generation are as but vague stories of a day that is
passed and gone, and his reminiscences serve as a link to connect
the present time with the early days of the county when its
destiny was being shaped by a generation that has gone to its
reward. He survives, rich in the honor and esteem which are
accorded him by all who know him, and which are but the fit
accompaniment of a serene old age. |
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