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 AMES M. PHILLIPS, a gentleman in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness, is a native of this State, and was born in Moultrie County Feb. 8. 1848. He was bred to farm pursuits, and purposes following these in the future. He comes of a good family, whose first representatives upon coming to this country settled in the South. His great-grandfather, Robert Phillips, was a native of Tennessee, where he grew to manhood and was married. He emigrated to Moultrie County, Ill., in about 1846, and subsequently took up land in this county, where he established a good homestead, and spent the remainder of his days. His death occurred in about 1859, his wife having died some years previously. They reared a large family of children, and experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, contributing their full quota toward the development of a new section of country. Among the sons of Robert Phillips was McCagha, who was born in Tennessee, and educated in the schools of his native county. He left home when quite young, and commenced working by the month, continuing thus occupied until his marriage. His wife was also a native of Tennessee, and they became the parents of five children, all born in that State. In about 1844 they came north to Moultrie County, this State, and settled upon a tract of land in East Nelson Township, where the father spent the remainder of his life, resting from his earthly labors in October, 1876. When about sixty-six years of age, he was stricken with blindness, and for a period of nearly twenty years never saw the light of day. He bore his affliction with remarkable patience and courage, never complaining of his misfortune, but accepting it from the hand of Providence, as the dispensation of a Power wiser than ourselves. lie lived to be eighty-five years of age, and was a man of many excellent qualities. He had served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and took part in the battle of the Horse Shoe. The paternal grandmother of our subject was born, married and died in Tennessee, and with her husband, lived the life of a devoted Christian, both being members of the Baptist Church. Her death took place in about 1840. Their five children were, Malinda, now the wife of J. W. Vaughn, of Mattoon; Calvin, the father of our subject; Emeline, who married her cousin, William Phillips, of Tennessee; William, who died young, and Martin I K., now living in Coles County. After the death of his first wife, Grandfather Phillips was married a second time, in about 1845, to Miss Sarah Cropper, Moultrie County, Ill. Their three children were Andrew J., now living in this county; Pauline, the wife of Joseph Weiley, of Moultrie County, Ill., and Benjamin, who died when four years of age. This lady survived her husband, and is still a resident of this county. She also possesses many estimable qualities, is a devoted Christian, and a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Calvin Phillips, the father of our subject, was born in Tennessee, Oct. 20, 1825. He remained under the home roof until his marriage, and was bred to farm pursuits. He possessed more than ordinary ability, and after his marriage came to Moultrie County, this State, and entered sixty acres of wild land upon which he made good improvements, and which he occupied for several years. In 1856 he sold out, and going across the Mississippi, purchased 320 acres of wild land in Adair County, Mo., where he resided eight years. He put up a good house on his land, and made some improvements, but finally came back to this State and purchased 120 acres in North Okaw Township. This he occupied ten years, in the meantime having accumulated a competency, and then abandoning farming, purchased property at Mattoon, where he took up his residence and spent the remainder of his life, retired from active labor. His death took place on the 26th of August, 1881. amid the tears and regrets of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He had built up the record of an honest man and a good citizen, and served his township in the various minor offices, discharging his duties in a faithful and conscientious manner. In politics, he uniformly cast his vote with the Democratic party. The mother of our subject was formerly Miss Ruth M. Chowning, a native of Kentucky, and born Feb. 8, 1829. She was the daughter of Charles and Mary (Owens) Chowning, and was married to Calvin Phillips in Moultrie Counly, this State, July 6, 1846. She was the earnest sympathizer with her husband in his plans and labors in life, and with him was a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. Her death took place May 25, 1877, at the homestead in Mattoon. The household circle was completed by the birth of six children, of whom the record is as follows: James M., of our sketch, was the eldest of the family; Nancy E. became the wife of W. A. Hoots, and is now a resident of this county; Mary A. is living in Mattoon; McCagha married Miss Ada Gilmer, and is farming in Butler County, Kan.; two died in infancy. The subject of this history remained a member of his father’s household until his marriage. He was educated in the common schools of Coles County, and early in life began his plans for the future. He accumulated some money, and purchased fifty acres of land, and was thus prepared to introduce his bride to a comfortable home. This lady was Miss Nancy E. Wade, a native of this county, and born March 3, 1854. Her parents, William A. J. and Mary (Stineman) Wade, were natives of Ohio, the father being born in Adams County. They came to Coles County in the pioneer days, and suffered the privations and hardships of life in a new settlement. The mother died when her daughter, Nancy E., was an infant of eleven mouths, in 1855. The death of the father took place in this county, some years later. Miss Wade became the wife of our subject Oct. 10, 1872. Soon afterward they commenced housekeeping on a farm which Mr. Phillips had previously purchased, and which they occupied seven years. Mr. Phillips took possession of his farm in North Okaw Township in the spring of 1881. It comprises one of the most desirable homesteads in this section and contains eighty acres under a fine state of cultivation, with a handsome frame dwelling in the midst of beautiful grounds, with a good barn and other out-buildings, and a valuable orchard in the rear. The improvements effected here are the result of his own industry and good taste, but he has thought best to make a change, and recently sold this to purchase another farm on section 18, also well-improved and supplied with good buildings. It embraces 103 acres, and of this Mr. Phillips purposes taking possession next year. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips became the parents of four children, two of whom were taken from the household circle by death: Ina, born Oct. 14, 1874, remains at home with her parents: Calvin, born Feb. 10, 1876, died Jan. 6, 1877; Robert, born Oct. 22, 1878, died Feb. 10, 1879; Francis M., born May 12, 1881, is a bright little boy, and the darling of the household. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are members in good standing of the Baptist Church at Fuller’s Point, and politically, Mr. P. affiliates with the Democratic party. |
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