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 ILLIAM A. PHILHOWER, general merchant of Mattoon, dealing in groceries, tinware and notions, and located in a commodious store building on South B street, enjoys the patronage of the best people of his township, and the respect and confidence of a host of friends.The first representatives of the Philhower family in America, were Adam, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, and his brother, natives of Germany, who ran away from home in about 1745, and sailed for the United States. Adam settled in New Jersey, where he married, and subsequently with his son John, then a youth of eighteen, served seven years in. the Revolutionary War under the immediate command of Gen. Washington. During the entire period of his service he never received the slightest wound. After the independence of the Colonies was established Adam Philhower returned to New Jersey, where he spent the remainder of his life. His son Jacob emigrated to Clermont County, Ohio, in 1815, accompanied by his wife and eight children. He engaged in farming and died there. Among his sons was William, the grandfather of our subject, who made the journey to Ohio with his parents, and passed his early life on his father’s farm, assisting in the labors around the homestead, and being fairly educated in the common schools. He was born April 16, 1811, and in 1830 was married in Ohio, where he continued to reside, owning 100 acres of land which he industriously cultivated, and also rented additional land upon which to operate. In 1854, he disposed of his possessions in the Buckeye State, and removing with his family to Richmond County, Ill., purchased 475 acres of land, and continued there until the spring of 1856, when he returned to Ohio on a visit and died at the old homestead among the friends of his youth. His widow survived him a number of years, her death occurring April 18, 1882. Of the fourteen children included in the grandfather’s household, ten lived to mature years, and eight are now living, recorded as follows: Paulina is the wife of a Mr. Finn, of Richmond County, Ill.; Eliza, Mrs. Mickey, lives in Gibson County, Ind., Sarah J., Mrs. Baldwin, is a resident of Greene County, Mo.; A. W. is one of the prominent business men of Mattoon; Mary A., Mrs. Turney, of Clinton County, Ohio; Catherine, Mrs. Clark, of Gibson County, Ind.; Jacob W., residing in Shelby County, this State, and Dewey M. of Pekin, Ill. Among the sons was Ira B., the father of our subject, who spent his childhood and youth in his native State, and after reaching manhood married Miss Adelina Smith, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, who became the mother of our subject. At an early day he came to Gallatin County, this State, and engaged in business as a dry-goods merchant. He remained one year, and then removed to Richland County, continuing the same business until 1860, when he removed to Marion, and became Station Agent of the railroad four years. Afterward he returned to Richland County, and for four years engaged in operating a flouring-mill. Then selling out he engaged once more in merchandising, locating in the town of Noble, where he continued until his death, in 1885. The three children of the parental household were William A. of our sketch; Mary V., Mrs. C. Palmer, and Maggie, at home. Ira B. Philhower was a man of much force of character, and politically, a stanch Republican. He held the office of School Director, was a member of the Village Board, and for many years connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this biography was born in Richland County, Ill., Nov. 5, 1857. As soon as old enough he was placed in school, and when not occupied with his studies, spent his time mostly in his father’s store, where he gained a good insight into the general methods of transacting business. He remained under the parental roof until after passing his twenty-fifth year, and then coming to Mattoon established his present business, in which he has since engaged with excellent results. He has been joined by his mother and sister, and the three live together in a snug home. Like his father before him he uniformly votes the Republican ticket, and takes an intelligent interest in current events, being especially interested in the movements of the. Knights of Labor, with which he became identified soon after their organization. |
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