BIOGRAPHY: John E. Phillips; Phillipsburg, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

JOHN E. PHILLIPS was born in Phillipsburg, Orange County, March 20, 1805, and
was one of eight children who attained mature years. His sister Julia married
William Y. Miller, a minister in the Presbyterian Church, now living in San
Jose, Cal., and she died in Knoxville, Ill., February 7, 1857. Henry, the next
in order of birth, died at Honesdale, Pa. Elizabeth, who was the wife of Dr.
H. Hornbeck, died in Phillipsburg, March 2, 1843. Thomas S., formerly in the
commission business in Chicago, died in that city. William N., who died in
February, 1895, was a resident of Galesburg, Ill., where his youngest brother,
Dr. Edgar L., also makes his home. Nicholas E., who resided in Galva, Ill.,
died in January, 1895.

In 1825 John E. Phillips was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts
from Williams College, being a classmate of David Dudley Field. Soon afterward
he took up the study of law under the instruction of Henry G. Wisner, and in
the process of time was duly admitted to the Bar. He formed a partnership with
his late preceptor, and their business connection continued to exist
until the death of Mr. Phillips. His career was thoroughly honorable, and his
life was above reproach in every particular. He passed from earth December 17,
1841, when only thirty-six years of age.

The marriage of John E. Phillips united him with Elizabeth T., daughter of his
partner, Henry G. Wisner. This estimable lady was born in New York City in
1808, and was reared at Oak-hill, receiving an excellent education in the
Moravian Seminary at Bethlehem, Pa. Religiously she was connected with the
Episcopal Church, and in her earlier years took a prominent part in its work.
She survived her husband a half-century, dying in April, 1891. Three daughters
had blessed their union, of whom the eldest died when young; the second, Anna
E., is the wife of J. H. Conner, of New York City; and Harriet H. is the
youngest of the family.

Rev. George Phillips, the original representative of the family in America,
emigrated from Roxbury, England, in 1630, and landed in Boston, one of his
friends and associates being Governor Winthrop. He settled in Watertown, Mass.
Wendell Phillips, whose reputation is world-wide, is a descendant of this
branch of the family. The Andover Phillips' line is represented by Judge
Phillips, founder of Phillips Academy. The grandfather of our subject, Maj.
Moses Phillips, was born in Smithtown, L. I., March 8, 1742. He migrated to
Orange County about 1766, and settled where the village of Phillipsburg now
stands, it being named in his honor. Buying a large tract of land there, he
engaged in manufacturing cloth, ran a flourmill, and was interested in other
mercantile operations. In 1779 he was commissioned Major of a militia company
by Governor Clinton and served in the War of the Revolution. His wife was
Sarah, daughter of Hon. Henry Wisner, of Revolutionary fame, at one time
regent of the University of New York.

The death of the Major occurred December 29, 1818, after a busy and useful
life. His son William, the next in line of descent, was born at Phillipsburg,
and followed his father's example in manufacturing cloth and in conducting a
farm. He was well known and prominent in that section, and was still in the
prime of his usefulness when he died as the result of an accident, aged about
sixty-four years. His wife, Sarah Evertson, was born in Dutchess County, and
was a descendant of the celebrated Admiral Evertson, of Holland. Her father,
John, resided in Dutchess County, where members of his family had settled
permanently several generations before. The great Admiral himself was in
command of a New York squadron, which wrested New York from England in 1673.
He was the eldest son of Admiral Cornelius Evertson, who was killed in battle
with England in 1666.