BIOGRAPHY - ALFRED PHILLIPS
ALFRED PHILLIPS, who owns and operates ninety acres of land on section
12, Peach Orchard Township, has the honor of being a native of Illinois. He
was born January 15, 1857, near Caledonia, Putnam County, and is a worthy
representative of one of the pioneer families of that county. His parents
were George and Jane (Lights) Phillips. His father was born in England and
when thirteen years of age came to the United States. His mother was born in
Chester County, Pa. They came to Illinois in 1837, locating near Magnolia,
Putnam County, where Mr. Phillips built a flouring-mill on the bank of Sandy
Creek. He also built a sawmill on Clear Creek. Until 1863, he made his home
in that county and then removed to La Salle County, where he purchased a
farm, upon which he made his home one year. The year 1864 witnessed his
arrival in Ford County. He purchased all of section 12, Peach Orchard
Township, and in the fall of the same year bought one hundred and sixty
acres more on section 16. Upon his farm, he made his home until his death in
1869. In 1866, he served his township as Justice of the Peace. He was a
member of the Methodist Church and of the Odd Fellows' fraternity. Mrs.
Phillips died in 1865.
The family numbered seven children: Catherine, wife of John Thackary, a
farmer residing in Peach Orchard Township; Jane, wife of George H. Warner,
of Normal, Ill.; Mary, deceased, wife of William Baxter; George, who is
living in Melvin, Ill.; Alfred, of this sketch; Susan, wife of Frank
Thompson, a retired farmer residing in Melvin, and Abraham L., an attorney
at law of Gibson City.
We now take up the personal history of our subject, who in his youth
attended the district schools and acquired a practical English education. He
began life for himself in 1875, when eighteen years of age. He engaged in
farming for himself for two years, after which he worked as a farm hand by
the month. Throughout his entire life, he followed agricultural pursuits and
has been very successful in his business dealings. After his marriage, he
removed to the farm on which he has since resided, and in connection with
its cultivation carries on stock-raising. His landed possessions are quite
extensive. He owns ninety-eight and one-half acres in his home farm, eighty
acres on section 8, Peach Orchard Township, a like amount in Dix Township
and one hundred and twenty acres in Wall Township.
September 29, 1879. Mr. Phillips married Miss Sarah, daughter of John and
Lizzie Brooks, and they began their domestic life upon the farm which is
still their home. Their union has been blessed with one daughter, Edna, who
was born January 23, 1884. The parents are highly respected people of this
community and have many warm friends. In his political affiliations, Mr.
Phillips is a Republican.
Extracted 14 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Record of Ford County, Illinois, published in 1892, page 202.
