WILLIAM PHILLIPS, farmer and stock-raiser, is the seventh of the fourteen children of William and Mary (Crosswhite) Phillips, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Virginia, and both of English descent. Our subject was born in Washington County, Va., August 13, 1803, and was reared to farm labor, but received a fair education and taught two terms before coming to this State in 1843; he has also taught ten terms in this county. January 13, 1840, he married Martha Thomas, who died soon after her arrival here, leaving one child— Mary, now Mrs. Foreman. September 8, 1853, Mr. Phillips married Sarah, a daughter of William and Mary Lewis. When Mr. Phillips first saw this country, it was a dreary waste, and as a pioneer no one has perhaps done more to improve the same. He now owns 215 acres of land, well improved, stocked and cultivated, with a fine residence—the whole making a comfortable and desirable home. Mr. Phillips is a strong Democrat, cast his first ballot for Martin Van Buren, and has been Treasurer, Assessor and Justice of the Peace in this county; the last office he has held for thirty years; he has also been Land Appraiser of the county. Mr. Phillips is a valued citizen, a self-made man, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
Source: Counties Of Clay And Owen, Indiana, Historical And Biographical, Charles Blanchard, Editor, published by F.A. Battey & Co., Publishers, Chicago, 1884; Pg. 965
