Peter Phillips, farmer of Clinton township, Elkhart Co. Ind., is of sturdy English stock, and
the family tree first took
root on American soil about the time of the Revolution. Peter Phillips, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a
farmer of Loudon county, Va.; was there married and reared a family of
children, of whom John, Wilson, and Nancy are the
only ones remembered. He moved to Athens county, Ohio, and lived on a farm
there until he was quite advanced in years,
when he came to Indiana and made his home with his son John until his death,
which occurred at the age of eighty-one years.
John Phillips, his son, was born in Loudon county, Va., and in early manhood
removed to Athens county, Ohio, and was
married there to Miss Esther Batchelor, whose father had been a soldier of the War of 1812, and her grandfather an old
Revolutionary soldier. The Batchelors were of English descent and old settlers
of the State of Maine, and pioneers of Athens
county, Ohio. Mrs. Phillips' brothers and sisters that are remembered were: Daniel, William, Ollie, Polly, Nancy, and Abigail.
In 1836 Mr. Phillips came to the new county of Elkhart, Ind., and entered land
which his son Peter now owns. To him and his
wife seven children were given, all of whom attained mature years: Benjamin, William, Sallie, Eliza, Adaline, Levina, and
Peter. Mr. Phillips entered eighty acres of land covered with timber; built a
log cabin thereon and gradually began to clear up
his land, but besides this, had sixty acres in Clinton township. He was always
industrious, thrifty and honest, politically was a
Jeffersonian Democrat. His death, which occurred at the age of sixty-nine
years, August 15, 1872, was universally regretted,
for he was one of the county's most progressive citizens and was highly
esteemed for his upright character and his sterling
integrity. His wife was a member of the Christian Church. Their son Peter,
the subject of this sketch, was born on his father's
farm in this township, January 25, 1840, and was early inured to the
vicissitudes of pioneer life. What education he secured in
his youth was obtained in the old log schoolhouse of those days, and this
knowledge he has since greatly increased by reading
and contact with the business affairs of life. In addition to becoming
familiar with the duties of farming, he also learned the
carpenter's trade of his father, who followed that calling from an early day
and exchanged work with his neighbors. He took for
his companion through life, Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis Williams, who was of Irish descent and was one of the first settlers of
Kosciusko county, Ind., to which region he removed from Ohio. He reared four
children: Elizabeth, John D., William W., andJane. Mr. Williams is now residing in Miami county, Kan., and has attained to the
age of seventy-four years. He has married
twice, his second wife being Miss Mary Miller, by whom he became the father of four children. He has followed the calling of
agriculture throughout his life and is now in good circumstances. He and his
wife are earnest members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. After his marriage Peter Phillips remained on the old
homestead; bought out the other heirs of the property
and by industry and thrift added to the original tract until he now owns 240
acres. In 1881 he erected a substantial brick
residence--one of the finest in the township, and his farm buildings are all
substantial and kept in good repair. He is what may
be termed a thrifty and prudent farmer, and everything about his place
indicates that a man of intelligence and sound judgement
has control of his affairs. His farm is one of the most valuable in the
township, for besides being exceedingly fertile it is well
supplied with a number of fine springs of pure cold water, which makes it well
adapted to the raising of stock. Ten children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips: Alice M., Lewis F., Esther E., Carrie M., Warren W., Orrin E., Nora B., William B.,Clarence C., and Grover C. Mr. Phillips has held the office of township trustee two terms, and
politically is a staunch
Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a very
public-spirited gentleman; has been a
member of the school board a number of terms and has also held the position of
road supervisor. He is giving his children good
advantages for an education, and Carrie M. has graduated from the graded
schools of Goshen and has taught school three terms
in Clinton township and has met with good success.
(Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties,
Indiana, Tucson, Ariz.: W.C. Cox, 1974, Page #: 149-150, Family History Library
(FHL), 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, USA.
Microfilm of original published: Chicago: Goodspeed, 1893. 777 p. Source Media
Type: Books/Monographs (on Film).)
