WILLIAM W. PHILLIPS.
Mr. Phillips was born March 13,1840, in Carrollton, Carroll County, Ohio, and was the son of Alexander and Catherine (Devall) Phillips. When eight years of age, he moved with his parents to Findlay, Ohio, and attended the common schools. While he was in the High School the war broke out, and he volunteered as a soldier, enlisting in Company D, 99th Ohio Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Langworthy. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Franklin, Nashville, and other engagements. He was mustered out in August, 1865. Mr. Phillips then returned to Findlay, where he married Miss Mary M. Taylor, who now survives him. They came West, and in February, 1866, settled in Oskaloosa, Iowa; coming to Des Moines the following year, Mr. Phillips entered the Law School, graduated in 1868, and at once opened a law office. He was in partnership with Hon. W. F. Conrad, now the Senior Judge of the District Bench of Polk County. For a time, his son, Frank W. Phillips, was in the office with him, but was subsequently elected Police Judge of the City of Des Moines. Mr. Phillips then formed a partnership with Hugh Brennan, a former City Solicitor of Des Moines, and this firm continued until Mr. Phillips' death. In 1887 Mr. Phillips was elected County Attorney of Polk County, and served for one term. He was a staunch Republican all his life. In the spring of 1898 his health began to fail, and he died June 5, 1898. Mr. Phillips was earnest and indefatigable, and always at work for the interest of his client. He attained much more than the average degree of success, and because of his genial manner and frank, fearless and manly methods of fighting his cases, commanded universal respect and left an honored memory.
Source: Proceedings of the Iowa State Bar Association’s Fourth Annual Meeting, Held at Mason City, Iowa, July 6 and 7, 1898, published 1899; Pgs. 208-209
