Handbook N-P - Fulton County Public Library

Ph
PHILLIPS, HICKMAN [Union Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Hickman Phillips, a prominent and enterprising merchant of Kewanna, is a native of
Virginia. He was born February 15, 1834, in what is now Barbour County, W. Va., but which was
then Randolph County, before the State was divided. His father, Phineas Phillips, was a native of
the same county, and was there married to Susan Hudkins. He was a farmer, and was engaged in
that pursuit in connection with the wheelwright’s trade.
Hickman, the subject of this sketch, remained at home until eighteen years of age,
working on the farm and attending school. In 1852, he came to Fulton County, Ind., and located
in Union Township, whither he had been preceded by relatives. In the fall of the same year, his
father came with his famiy and purchased a farm in Union Township, where he was engaged in
agricultural pursuits until death. For six years the subject of this sketch remained with his father
on the new farm, but in 1858 removed to Missouri, where he taught school during the winter of
that year. In the following spring he was one of a comany who set out upon a journey to Pike’s
Peak, and was, perhaps, the mo st persistent one of the party in the determination to brave the
dangers and surmont the obstacles in the way. Before they had quite reached Fort Kearney, they
met a great many people who had tried the journey, and were turning back discouraged.
Something of their dempened ardor took possession of the party from Missouri, and they, too,
were in favor of turning back, but Mr. Phillips insisted upon their taking him through to Pike’s
Peak, as he had paid his passage, and held them in camp for two days insis ting upon going ahead,
but finally reluctantly yielded to the pressure brought to bear upon him to return. At Memphis,
Mo., Mr. Phillips entered the mercantile house of J. & J. Duncan, and about theee months later
was placed in charge of a branch of this house at Uniontown, Mo. At the end of about two years,
he returned to Memphis, and in the summer of 1862 went with the Messrs. Duncan to
Birmingham, Iowa, and after a sojourn of about three months in that town, returned to his old
home in Indiana, and emb arked in mercantile pursuits at Kewanna. By nature and experience he is
eminently qualified for this vocation, and by industry and good management has made it a
success. He ranks among the leading merchants of the county, and as one of the most enterpris ing
and public-spirited citizens of the locality in which he resides. He was one of the first who began
to agitate the railroad interests of Kewanna, and has been one of the most active in laboring to
secure railroad communication with the outside world from that point. To all public
improvements he has extended his encouragement, doing all within his power to build up the
material interests of the county. He is an active and enthusiastic member of Kewanna Lodge, No.
546, A., F. & A.M., and although not identified with any religious sect, his upright and honorable
life entitles him to recognition as one of the best citizens--a title unanimously accorded him by
those who know him.
Mr. Phillips has been twice married. First, in the spring of 1861, to Miss Adelaide
Huston, of Iowa, daughter of Samuel Huston, a former resident of Washington County, Ind. She
accompanied her parents to Iowa, where she resided at the date of her marriage. She died in
December, 1874, leaving seven children to mourn her loss, viz.: Norma Belle, Albert H., Erwin,
Myrmetta, Sadie, Leslie and Addie, of whom all now survive save Addie. On the 4th of July,
1876, Mr. Phillips was united in marriage with Miss Jennie E. Calvert, at Rochester, Minn. This
union has been blessed by two children, named, respectively, Avie and Calvert.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, pp. 58-59]
PHILLIPS, JOHN C. [Kewanna, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
The subject of this sketch was born in Barbour County, W. Va., July 30, 1845. His
parents, Phineas and Susana Phillips, were natives of Virginia, and came to Fulton County in
1852. He was a wheelwright by trade, but followed farming most of his life. Their family
consisted of six children, five of whom are now living and married. He deceased in 1864, at the