Washington Co., AR - Biographies - William M. Phillips *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** William M. Phillips, one of the prominent farmers of Goshen Township, was born in Madison County, Ark., near Wesley, March 1, 1838, and is the son of David and Kittie (Sanders) Phillips. [For further particulars of parents see sketch of W. G. Phillips. Madison County.] William M. Phillips was reared on a farm on Richland Creek, and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. October 21, 1858, he married Miss Martha Ann Denton, who was born October 5, 1844, and who is the daughter of Jacob Denton, an early settler of this county. Ten children were born to this union, nine now living: Lockey M., Edwin L. (deceased), Lydia E., Bent B., Cener L., Willie B., Maud A., Ella M., Minnie E. and Charles R. After marriage Mr. Phillips began farming on the Lake farm, five miles northeast of Huntsville, where he remained until the breaking out of the late war, when he volunteered under Capt. Reagan, and was in service four years. He was wounded in the leg at Helena. He was first lieutenant of his company, and commanded the company nearly all the time after the Helena fight. He surrendered at Fort Smith, and returned to Washington County. While living in Madison County Mr. Phillips was engaged in merchandising at Hindsville, and afterward settled in Pawnee County, Kas.; was one of the first settlers, and lived there two years, dealing in stock. After living in Washington County, Richland Township, on the Riley Williams farm, until 1882, he sold out and moved to his present location, where he has 200 acres of fine valley land, with about 100 under cultivation. He has made farming a success, and is one of the enterprising agriculturists of the county. He has always been a Democrat in his political views, and takes a very great interest in political affairs. He was one of the charter members of the late Trammel Lodge of Free Masons at Goshen, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and are much esteemed citizens.