COLUMBUS PHILLIPS.
Machinist, Engineer, General Foreman and Master Mechanic.
Mr. Phillips was a member of the American Railway Master Mechanics' Association since 1900. He was born in Guinetter county, Georgia, in the year 1S57 and died May 29, 1915, at Meridian, Mississippi. After a public-school education he began an apprenticeship with the Atlanta Rolling Mill & Machinery Company. From there he entered railroad service as machinist in 1874 and served as a locomotive engineer from 1875 to 1876, returning to service in the shop of the Georgia Pacific at Atlanta, Georgia, serving as General Foreman, and from 1881 to 1887 as Assistant Master Mechanic of the same company at Birmingham, Alabama.
He was also Master Mechanic of the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railway Company a short while, Roundhouse Foreman of the Alabama Great Southern at Birmingham, Alabama, in 1898, General Foreman N. O. & N. E. and A. & V. Ry. July, 1899, and Master Mechanic N. O. & N. E. and A. & V. Ry. August, 1899, with headquarters at Meridian, Mississippi, until the date of his death.
Mr. Phillips was a man of splendid qualities, ever loyal to his employers and friends. He was held in the highest esteem and affection by all who enjoyed his acquaintance, as well as by the many employees of the various companies with whom he served. He was kind and generous, and always ready to lend the helping hand. He was the father of ten children, eight of whom survive him, five sons and three daughters. Mrs. Phillips, his wife, passed away about three years ago.
The railroad fraternity, of which so much is expected, can ill afford to lose such a man as this. An acquaintance of thirty years with Mr. Phillips gave me a peculiarly pleasing insight into his worth as a citizen and friend.
-C. F. Gn. ES.
Source: Report of Proceedings of the Forty-Eighth Annual Convention of the Master Mechanics' Association, held at Atlantic City, New Jersey, June 8, 10, and 11, 1915; Pg. 718
