JOHN C. PHILLIPS
John
C. Phillips, who at one time was one of the most extensive
landowners in Appanoose county and for many years prominently
connected with agricultural and business interests of the
section, is living retired in Seymour. His residence in
this part of the state covers a period of forty years and he
is consequently well known, having by a life of energy,
industry and straightforward dealing gained the respect and
confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. He is, moreover,
entitled to a place in this work from the fact that he is an
honored veteran of the Civil war. Mr. Phillips is a native of Ohio, born
in 1841, and is a son of Theophilus and Mahala Ann (Moore)
Phillips, natives of Ohio.
The father of our subject was a son of John Phillips
and was of Welsh ancestry, while the mother was a daughter of
John Moore, a veteran of the War of 1812, who in turn was a
son of a Revolutionary soldier.
Theophilus Phillips, the father of the subject of this
review, came to Iowa in 1871 and remained in this state two
years, going to Kansas in 1873 and establishing his home in
that state, where his death occurred in February, 1879. He had long
survived his wife, who passed away in 1852.
John
C. Phillips acquired his education in the public schools of
Ohio and farmed in that state until 1862. On August 9th
of that year he enlisted in Company F, Ninety-first Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Culbertson, seeing active
service until the end of the war. He was mustered out in Cincinnati, Ohio,
and immediately resumed his agricultural pursuits, remaining
in his native state until the fall of 1868. In that year he
went to Missouri and settled on a farm in Pettis county but
after three years came to Wayne county, settling in this
section in April, 1872.
He located first in Monroe township and established
himself in the stock business at Centerville, gaining rapid
and well deserved success, owing to his reliable and
straightforward business methods. In 1884 he abandoned his stock business
in favor of general farming, purchasing a tract of land, which
he set about improving and developing with characteristic
energy. From
time to time he added to his holdings, becoming finally the
owner of two thousand acres.
In all of his business affairs Mr. Phillips is
straightforward, reliable and progressive and consequently his
labors met with a gratifying degree of success, his industry
and enterprise having gained for him such a competence that in
1903 he was able to put aside the active duties of life and
enjoy somewhat of its rest and pleasures. He moved into
Seymour, where he still has some important business
connections, although he is not personally active. He is interested as
a director in the First National Bank and owns eight hundred
acres of land in Wayne county and elsewhere besides his
beautiful and attractive home.
On
the 24th of August, 1861, Mr. Phillips married Miss
Clementine Drake, a daughter of James H. and Caroline
(Marshall) Drake, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the
latter of Ohio. Three
of Mrs. Phillips’ brothers-in-law took an active part in the
Civil war. Mr.
and Mrs. Phillips became the parents of thirteen children: Charles E., who
lives in Montana; Emma A., the wife of F. E. Stewart, of
Moore, Montana; James T., who resides on the old home place;
Hosea M. and J. Water, who are engaged in farming in Appanoose
county; Harry E., who died in infancy; Carrie A., the wife of
J. T. Richardson, a farmer of Appanoose county; V. Bowen, of
Buffalo, Montana; K. Kendall, who follows farming in this
county; Herbert H., John J. and Oscar Orville, who are all
engaged in agricultural pursuits in Appanoose county; and
Roscoe C., of Buffalo, Montana.
Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Mr. Phillips gives his allegiance to the republican party and is progressive and public-spirited in his citizenship. He belongs to Kellogg Post, G. A. R., and thus keeps in touch with his comrades of the battlefield. Being a man of great business ability and executive force, he has contributed during the years of his residence in this part of Iowa to the general welfare and progress. During the years of his activity his energy was untiring and it was through his zealous application to business and his straightforward dealing that he met with such rapid success and is now able to live retired, maintaining the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens and enjoying the comforts and contentment of a well spent and useful life.