Biographical Sketch of E. Vinton PHILIPS (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county", by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Phila- delphia, PA, 1893, pp. 333-4. "E. VINTON PHILIPS, proprietor of the leading flouring mill at Downingtown, and an energetic, useful and public spirited citizen, is the eldest son of Owen Thomas and Elmira B. (Guest) Philips, and was born in East Nantmeal township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1859. His paternal grandfather, Owen Philips, is said to have been one of the three emigrant ancestors of the Philips family who came to this county at an early day, two - Owen and Josiah - locating in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and the other, Joseph, settling in East Tennessee, near Nashville. Owen Philips was a farmer by occupation, a republican in politics, and a strict member of the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon for a number of years. He took but little interest in political questions and married Rachel Evans, by whom he had a family of seven children: Jesse, who served one term as treasurer of Chester county; Rev. Josiah, a prominent minister of the Baptist church, who died May 28, 1890; Lewis, a farmer of East Nant- meal township; David, a member of the American Road Machine Company at Kennett Square; Joseph J., at present superintendent of the Philadelphia & Reading canal, formerly known as the Scofield canal; Owen Thomas (father); and Abner E., a clerk for the Pottstown Iron Company at Potts- town. Owen Thomas Philips (father) was born in East Nantmeal township in 1837, and after attaining manhood engaged in farming, which occupation he fol- lowed for a number of years. He then disposed of his farm and is at present assisting his son in the mills at Downingtown. He is a republican in political sentiment, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs, having served for a number of years as a school director in East Nantmeal township. In religion he is a Baptist, and is a member and deacon of the Downingtown Baptist church. He served with the emergency men of 1862, is a Knight of Pythias, and married Elmira B. Guest, a daugh- ter of John Guest, a stonemason and extensive contractor of Upper Uwchlan township. To this union was born a family of five children, three sons and two daughters: E. Vinton, the subject of this sketch; Ida L., who married Barton D. Forman, a restaurateur of Glen Moore; Elmira K., a member of the extensive dress-making firm of Philips & Smith, at Downing- town; Josiah, a carpenter in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany; and Walter S., who graduated from the State Normal school at West Chester in 1890, and is now principal of the public schools of Upland, Delaware county. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Philips wedded Anna Wynn, and by this second marriage has two children: T. Arthur and Ola B. "E. Vinton Philips grew to manhood on his father's farm in East Nantmeal township, and obtained his early education in the common schools there. Later he took a course of training in Pruner's academy, at North Walls, Montgomery county, and afterward became an apprentice to the milling trade with James K. Laird, of Upper Uwchlan township. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship he entered the employ of the Springton Milling Company and remained with them one year, when he came to Downingtown and was em- ployed one year by Samuel J. Wright, after which he went to the Brooklyn mills, where for two years he occupied the position of foreman. He then spent a short time with the Springton Milling Company and returned to Downingtown, where he was instrumental in having the old Ringwalt mills put into operation. He remained in these mills for nearly five years, and was successful in building up a very lucrative business. In 1890 he pur- chased a lot and erected his present large flouring mill, which he has operated ever since. By hard labor, careful management and strict atten- tion to business, he has secured an extensive trade and become prominent among the citizens of Downingtown, having already accumulated a handsome competence. "On March 16, 1891, Mr. Philips was united to Mary Ash, a daughter of Isaac Ash, who for fifteen years has held the position of auditor for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. "In his political affiliations Mr. Philips is an ardent republican, and has served as a member of the county committee several times. He has also been an alternate delegate to the State convention of his party, and occu- pies the position of notary public. He acted as assistant burgess of Downingtown for two years - 1889-1890 - and has also served two years in his present position of auditor of the borough. He is a member of the Baptist church, and a prominent and active Sunday school worker."