THOMAS J. PHILLIPS.
[CHICKASAW.]
This prosperous merchant was born in Tishomingo county, Mississippi, in 1839, attended school until 1852, and came to Boggy Depot, Choctaw Nation, in 1858, where he entered the employment of Messrs. Mitchell and Wright, general merchants. Remaining with them until 1859 he went to Tishomingo, Chickasaw Nation, where he clerked for Aaron Harland, in whose employment he continued until the commencement of the war. When the war broke out Tom joined General Cooper's command in the Indian Territory, but in the same year went to his native state and joined Forrest's Cavalry. At the battle of Athens the subject of this sketch was shot in the right hip and obliged to remain in the hospital until discharged, when, being unfit for further service, he returned to the Choctaw Nation and went to work for his old employers. After eighteen months thus passed he moved to Stonewall to take charge of a branch store for his brother, J. J. Phillips . He remained in charge of this place for about three years, after which he purchased the concern, continuing 1879, when he sold to Rooksand Byrd, and moved to McAlester, where he opened a large stock of general merchandise. In 1884 he established a branch house at Krebs, and two years afterward one at South Canadian. J. W. Phillips owns a large stock of cattle, and some thirty-six square miles of pasture, besides one thousand acres under cultivation. He is one of the wealthiest men in his county. In 1873 he married Miss Mary Bourland, oldest daughter of Judge R. R. Bourland, a Chickasaw, by whom he has had eight children: Joseph R., Mattie, William T., Charles R., Rollie H., John Everett, Ellie L. and George Randolph. T. J. Phillips is a man of great executive ability and unimpeachable integrity, who, by his own perseverance and energy, has well nigh reached the summit of the ladder of success.
Source: Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory, Vol. I, Choctaws and Chickasaws, by H.F. O’Beirne, published by American Publishers’ Association, Chicago, 1891; Pg. 270
