Annual Report of William E. Chandler, Necrologist, April 24, 1901
JOHN HUMPHREY PHILLIPS.
John Humphrey Phillips died of Bright's disease in Saratoga Springs, N. Y., September 7, 1900. He had been in failing health for several months, and the trip to Saratoga was taken with hopes that the change might be beneficial, but in the councils of "Him in whom we live and move and have our being" it was otherwise ordained.
Mr. Phillips was the son of Thomas and Sophia (Humphrey) Phillips, and was born in New Haven, November 12, 1844. Mr. Phillips, Sr., and his wife, were born in England, and came to this country in 1830. John was educated at Lovell's Lancasterian School in this city. After leaving school (about 1860) he entered his father's employ, who was a manufacturer of monuments and all kinds of cemetery work, his factories being on High Street and Sylvan Avenue. Subsequently John became a partner with his father, the firm being Thomas Phillips & Son. After the death of his father, which occurred March 16, 1889, Mr. Phillips took as a partner his nephew, Thomas A. Bassett, the firm name of Thomas Phillips & Son being retained. This partnership continued until Mr. Phillips' death.
By the will of the deceased the entire business, stock and machinery, together with a working capital of $6,000, was left to his partner, Thomas A. Bassett, who still carries on the business under the firm name of Thomas Phillips & Son. Mr. Phillips was a popular and esteemed member of the New Haven Grays, of the Old Guard of New York, and of the Quinnipiack Club. He left two sisters, Mary Kate Phillips and Sophia, wife of Samuel A. Bassett, of the New Haven Shoe Company. Mr. Phillips was elected a member of the Chamber January 21, 1885.
Source: Year Book of the Chamber of Commerce of New Haven, published by the order of the Chamber, 1901; Pgs. 34-35
