Tuscola-Monroe-Bay County MI Archives Biographies.....Philips, John Percival 1845 - 
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Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

JOHN PERCIVAL PHILIPS. One of the most attractive rural homes of Tuscola County
is that owned and occupied by Mr. Philips, and located pleasantly in Wisner
Township. The homestead comprises two hundred and twenty four acres of the
finest land in the county, and is embellished with a full line of first-class
buildings, suited to the needs of the proprietor. Since he first located upon
the place in 1878 he has devoted his attention assiduously to the cultivation of
the soil, and his efforts have been rewarded with the large harvests which he
gathers into the granaries each year. As a representative farmer and
public-spirited citizen, we take pleasure in presenting his portrait and a brief
sketch of his life to the readers of this volume.

  The father of Mr. Philips was well known in Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland and
Detroit, in which cities he resided, and enjoyed a very large acquaintance among
steamboat men. He bore the name of John P. Philips, and was a pioneer of both
Detroit City and Bay County, this State. During his residence in Newport, St.
Clair County, he built three steamers. Afterward he removed to the East,
locating in Buffalo, N. Y. and sojourning there several years. After spending
one season in Chicago he moved to Cleveland and thence to Detroit, where he
resided until his death, April 10, 16 1886, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven
years. His good wife died in 1883 when sixty-one years old.

  In the village of Newport, Mich., the eyes of Mr. Philips first opened to the
light, his birth occurring April 10, 1845. In his native place he passed his
youth, aiding his father and attending the common schools of the village. After
completing his education in the schools there, he further pursued his studies in
the Detroit High School. When the war broke out in 1861 he was a youth of only
sixteen years, but he at once responded to the call for three hundred thousand
men and enlisted in Company H, First Michigan Cavalry, being attached to the
Army of the Potomac. In all the various battles with which Custer's brigade was
connected he participated, and after serving three years was honorably
discharged at Berryville, Va., August 21, 1864. He at once returned to Detroit
and since that time has been a resident of Michigan.

  We next find our subject engaged with his father, who was a large lumber
dealer, under the style of J. P. Philips & Son, with headquarters at Bay City.
It was during that time that the junior member of the firm acquired a large
interest in Tuscola County real-estate, which is now exceedingly valuable. After
continuing in partnership with his father about twelve years, he came in 1878 to
the farm where he now resides, and began at once improving the place. To this
work the succeeding years have been closely devoted, with what success may be
learned by a glance at his fine estate. In politics he is a stalwart Republican
while his religious belief brings him into hearty sympathy with the Presbyterian
Church. He belongs to U. S. Grant Post, G. A. R. at Bay City, is a member of
Lodge No. 129 F. & A. M. as well as the chapter and commandery at Bay City.

  In October, 1878 Mr. Philips was united in marriage with Hattie L., daughter
of William Robertson, of Caro, Mich., and they have become the parents of seven
children, namely: Frederick Bagley, Carrie Fay, John P., Jr., Arthur Eugene,
Edison Aubert, Raymond Ward and Lloyd Ianthus. Mr. Philips is a prosperous and
popular gentleman and his influence in the community is always for good.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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