PHILLIPS, HON. HENRY, formerly county judge of Cass County, and a lawyer of much more than ordinary ability, occupies a very high position among the members of his profession, although for some years he has not been in active practice, owing to ill health. During the days when he participated in the jurisprudence of his section, there was not a more forceful advocate to be found in the state than he, and his triumphs are matters of history. He was born in Halifax, N.S., September 17, 1836, a son of Michael Phillips, a native of Ireland. Judge Phillips had the misfortune to lose his mother at his birth. When still in infancy his father, who was a shoemaker by trade, moved to New York City, where he lived until 1842, at which time he went to Rochester, N.Y., and after three years located in Orleans County, N.Y., where Henry received his early educational training. Henry received his early educational training in the public schools. The youth later attended Yates Academy, and when sixteen years old began teaching school.

In 1853 Henry Phillips came to Hardin County, Ill., where for six months he taught school, and for six months more taught school at Pittsfield, Pike County, Ill. Still later he went to Adams County and became a preacher, so continuing for two years. Being attracted then to Cass County he located at Virginia, and taught school during the winter months until the fall of 1860, when he was elected circuit clerk of the county, serving eight years. He then came to Beardstown, which was then the county seat, and began the practice of law, taking Garland Pollard as a partner, this connection continuing until the deal of Mr. Pollard. In 1890 he was elected County Judge of Cass County and served as such for eight years. Failing health then demanded that he retire, and in 1913 he gave up his practice. Judge Phillips served as Grand Master of the Odd Fellows for a year, and was made a Mason at Virginia, Ill. In politics he has always been a Democrat.

Judge Phillips was married to Adeline Pollard, a native of Vermont, who died February 2, 1877, and they had the following children: Henry G., who is deceased; Jennie, who is Mrs. Parker, a widow residing in Chicago; and Mary and Grace, both of whom are deceased. On October 18, 1877, Judge Phillips was married to Emma E. Burrows, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, a daughter of James H. and Nancy (Lynchard) Burrows. Judge and Mrs. Phillips have had the following children: Henry, who died in infancy; Edward O., who is in the employ of the Chicago Tribune; Charles, who is an engineer in the United States Navy; James, who is of Goldfield, Nev.; and Robert B., who is a resident of San Francisco, Cal.