EDWARD HICKS PHILLIPS, M. D.
Since the year 1868 Dr. Phillips has engaged in the practice of medicine in Cape May, a period of sufficient length to test his ability in various departments of the profession, and that he holds rank among the leading practitioners of the county stands in evidence of his skill. From the beginning his patronage has steadily increased, until he is now the attending physician in many of the best households of Cape May and the surrounding counties, and from his large practice he has derived a good income.
The Doctor was born in Middletown township, at Neshaminy Falls, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1832. and is a son of the late Robert and Naomi (Garrison) Phillips. He is descended from English ancestry, who were connected with the Society of Friends, the family having been founded in America by two brothers, Thomas and John Phillips, wiho crossed the Atlantic, the former taking up his abode in Solebury township. Bucks county, while the latter became a resident of Mercer county, New Jersey. The Doctor is of the fifth generation from Thomas Phillips. His grandfather, Thomas Phillips, was born in Solebury township. Bucks county, and there operated a grist mill for many years. He was a member of the Hicksite Society of Friends, attending the Solebury meeting. He wedded Elizabeth Eastburn. and to them were born the following children: Moses. Aaron, Thomas, David, Robert, Rachel, Mary, Mercy and one son who died in early manhood, being frozen to death while going to his business one morning. The father of these children died in February, 184o. at the age of seventy years, and his wife passed away in 1836, at the age of seventy.
The Doctor's father. Robert Phillips, was born in Solebury towrship. Bucks county, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1797, and with his father learned the miller's trade. He afterward operated a mill in the state of New York, later carried on the same business in Trenton. New Jersey, and subsequently in Lambertsville. New Jersey, where he conducted the Pine Hope Mill. He then began the operation of a mill at Neshaminy Falls. Pennsylvania, and on selling that property removed to Byberry township. Philadelphia county, where he built a mill, which he operated until 1846. He then sold out and started westward. He made his way to Chicago and soon afterward purchased a farm in the Fox river valley, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. He was a member of the Society of Friends and was a most honorable man. He took quite a prominent part in public affairs in early life, was an advocate of the anti-slavery movement, and in this was associated with the renowned Robert Purvis. He was also a member of the jury which tried Mrs. Chapman for the murder of her husband at Andalusia, Pennsylvania, about 1835. This was one of the most celebrated cases of early days, in which the purported son of a Spanish don, but probably a common tramp, was convicted; but the woman was acquitted. Mr. Phillips was called to his final rest January 3, 1888, when more than ninety years of age, and his wife passed away January 3, 1892. at the age of seventy-seven years. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters, of whom the Doctor is the eldest. Willet, the second, a farmer of Henry county, Illinois, married Miss Melinda Balch, and their children were Fred and America. active advocate of the anti-slavery movement, and in this was associated with the renowned Robert Purvis. He was also a member of the jury which tried Mrs. Qiapman for the murder of her husband at Andalusia. Pennsylvania, about 1835. This was one of the most celebrated cases of early days, in which the purported son of a Spanish don, but probably a common tramp, was convicted; but th-j worran was acquitted. Mr. Phillips was called to his final rest January 3. 1838. when more than ninety years of age, and his wife passed away January 3. 1892, at the age of seventyseven years. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters, of whom the Doctor is the eldest. Willet, the second, a farmer of Henry county, Illinois, married Miss Melinda Balch. and their children were Fred and America. Maria married Isaac Griswold, a carpenter by trade, who served throughout the Civil war and was the chief of the orderlies on Grant's staff at the battle of Vicksburg and later was commissioned captain. After the war he removed to California, but is now a contractor and builder of Seattle, Washington. In their family are five children. Harriet, the third child, was drowned when about two years of age in the mill race running through the yard. Emma, the fifth child of Robert Phillips, was the wife of William Sorter, now deceased; he was a blacksmith and ranch owner of Larkspur, Colorado, and they had one son. Robert. She afterward married A. B. Sears, of Detroit, Michigan, but now of Lansing, Michigan. Howard, a farmer, living on the old family homestead in Henry county, Illinois, is married and has two children, Walter and Robert.
Dr. Edward Hicks Phillips, whose name introduces this review, acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Byberry township, Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, and was later a student in the English Seminary, in Elgin, Illinois. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he studied in the New York Medical College, in which he was graduated in 1858. Ten years later he graduated in the Hahnemann Medical College, in Philadelphia, and then located at Cape May, where he has continuously maintained a place as one of the leading representatives of the profession in the county. He is a member of the State Homeopathic Medical Society and the West Jersey Medical Society, of which latter he was president in 1899. He is also a member of the board of health in Cape May, is a member of the Building & Loan Association of this city, and was one of the organizers and secretary of the Staten Island Building & Loan Association.
The Doctor was married on Christmas day of 1859,, to Miss Jennie Spinning, a daughter of John Spinning, a cattle broker of Summit, New Jersey, and they had one child, Russell, who was born October 31, 1862, and married Lizzie William, by whom he has four children,—Bert, Helen, Russell and John. He was formerly a photographer, later engaged in the bicycle business in Washington, and is now on the photographic staff of the New York Herald. Mrs. Phillips died December 5, 1865, and the Doctor afterward married Miss Anna Hughs, a daughter of Ellis Hughs, a farmer of Cape May county. They have four children,—Walter, Edward, Albert and William.
Ellis Hughs, the father of Mrs. Phillips, was born July 7, 1793. and died in June, 1862. He was the son of Thomas H. Hughs, who was born in 1769 and died in 1839. He represented the first congressional district of New Jersey in the house of representatives from 1829 until 1833. He was a prominent member and one of the trustees of the Cold Spring Presbyterian church, and contracted for and rebuilt the present brick church there about the year 183o. He also took an active part in the cause of temperance in that early day. He had five children: Thomas P., Ellis, Ellen, Lydia, and Sarah.
Thomas P. Hughs married Mary Boon, of Salem county, and had one son. Benjamin. Thomas P. represented the county in the house of assembly for one term, and was also the sheriff of the county, serving therein for two terms. His death occurred in 1863. Benjamin, his son, married Mary Wales, a sister of Eli and Edmund L. B. Wales, M. D., the latter being a prominent member of his profession and holding a number of public positions in the county and state.
Ellis Hughs married Sarah Higgins and had two children,—Ellis and Sarah. Ellis married Hester Cran and reared three sons and two daughters. Sarah married the late Dr. Randolph Marshall, and they had five sons and four darghters. Dr. Randolph, Jr., and Dr. Joseph succeeded to their father's practice at his death. Benjamin, the eldest, studied medicine, but preferred another calling and has been in the mercantile business. He represented his township in the board of fieeholders for a number of years. Ellis, the youngest son, served for two terms as a member of the legislature. Sarah (Higgins) Hughs, the wife of Ellis Hughs, Sr., died, and he afterward married Nancy Teal, and of this marriage were born eight children: Thomas, John, Lydia, Richard, Smith, Albert, Martha and Annie, the last named the wife of our subject.
Of the other children of Thomas H. Hughs. Ellen married Richard S. Ludlum, who built and was proprietor of the Mansion House at Cape May until it was burned. They had no children. Lydia married Richard Edmunds and ihey reared a large number of children. Sarah married Eli Wales and brought up several children. The Hughs family have been prominent and active in all good work.
Of various civic societies the Doctor is a valued representative. He belorgs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Good Templars, and since sixteen years of age has been identified with the Sons of Temperance. He does all in his power to promote the cause of temperance and overthrow the liquor traffic. In politics he was formerly a Republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for John P. Hale. He now exercises his right of franchise in support of the Prohibition party, which embodies his ideas on the temperance question. He is a member of the Swedenborgian church at the corner of Twenty-second and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, and at all times he lends his support to those interests which tend to uplift humanity and improve the condition of life. Honorable and upright, he commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact, his kindly manner and helpful spirit winning him many friends.
Source: The New Jersey Coast In Three Centuries, Volume III, by Peter Ross and Fenwick Y. Hedley, published by The Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1902; Pgs. 364-366
