DEATH SUMMONS JOSEPH PHILLIPS
Pioneer of Central Washington Succumbs in California - Ill for Months.
DAVENPORT, Wash., July 7.-A telegram was received yesterday announcing the death of Joseph B. Phillips, age 61, pioneer of this place, at San Diego, Cal. Mr. Phillips suffered a severe attack of influenza more than a year ago and went to California to recuperate. He has been failing steadily for several months. Funeral arrangements have not been made and it is not known whether the body will be brought to Davenport.
Mr. Phillips was born in Benton county, Arkansas. He grew up on a farm in that state, receiving a common school education, and, at the age of 20, taught school and farmed. He was married in 1884 to Josie Matherly. In the fall of 1885, after traversing Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho in search of gold, Mr. Phillips took a preemption near Bluestem, in Lincoln county. He crossed the plains with horses and wagons, arriving in this county with no financial means except the conveyance and team that brought him.
Mr. Phillips farmed near Bluestem until 1897, when he sold his farm there and bought another northwest of Davenport. Later he entered the grocery business here and, after that, was a member of the firm of Denson & Phillips, hardware merchants. Mr. Phillips was active in lodge work, being a member of Acacia Masonic lodge here and the Knights Templars and Shrine at Spokane. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Josie Phillips, who was with him in San Diego; two sons, Eugene Phillips, also at San Diego, and Earl Phillips, a farmer, Davenport; three daughters, Mrs. N. Russell Hill, Davenport, Mrs. R. W. Chase, Grant Orchards, and Mrs. J. E. Miles, Oroville.
Source: The Spokesman Review, , Spokane, Washington, Tuesday, July 10, 1923; Pg. 6, Column 3
