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WAYNE CO., IL

1884 BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES

BEDFORD TWP

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PHILLIPS, JOHN C, blacksmith, Cisne, is a native of Franklin County, Vt., and was born August 26, 1823, to Seth and Nancy (Blake) Phillips, both of whom were natives of New England. The father was a clothier by trade, and was thus engaged during his life principally. He was a son of Amos Phillips, whose father came from Wales. The parents of our subject were blessed with ten children, all but one are living—Ann E. (wife of Dr. Joel N. Converse). John C., Hannah Converse, Mercy and Mary (twins, the former married first a Mr. Converse, and afterward a Mr. Smith, and the latter married a Mr. Atkinson—both are now widows), Charlotte Case, Betsey Rodgers, Wealthy Little and Nancy Atkinson. The father of our subject, was married it second time, to Rebecca Tague, by whom he had one child--Laura, now the wife of Shepherd Miller, of West Liberty, Ohio.

At about eight years of age, our subject removed with his parents from his native State to Union County, Ohio, where he resided until 1867, in which year he came to Wayne County, where he has since remained. In early life, Mr. Phillips worked at the same trade as his father, but in 1850 he commenced to learn blacksmithing, and has since been thus mostly engaged. He has a shop in Cisne, and also a residence and some property in and around town.

<>February 7, 1850, he wedded Melissa S. Converse, born December 27, 1832, a daughter of Parley and Sally (Beach) Converse, who were natives of New England. Both of the parents had been previously married. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are the parents of seven children, of whom there are five now living—Annette (wife of Thomas J. Simpson), Ora (wife of Isaac L. Dobbs, of Cisne, a veteran of the late war. Mr. Dobbs served over three years, the latter part of which he was in the veteran service. He was severely wounded at the battle at Dallas, Ga., from the effects of which he lost his left arm. In 1867, he commenced the study of medicine, and attended the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, and for several years afterward engaged in practice in various parts of Illinois. Ill health compelled him to discontinue his practice, and he has in later years been otherwise engaged), Mary E. (wife of John UIrich), Charles W. and Mattie M.

Mr. Phillips is a man esteemed by all who know him, and he possesses that Yankee energy and enterprise which makes much out of little, and upon which has depended the material growth and prosperity of our Western country. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party.