John H. Phillips


             John H. Phillips was born in Virginia, February 12, 1826, son of  Jesse and  Jane (Jones) Phillips; parents natives of the same State.  The family came to Indiana as early as 1828, and settled in Noble Township, this county, thence subsequently to Decatur County.  John H. Phillips is the second of three children by his father's first marriage.  He was raised a farmer and followed agricultural pursuits the greater part of the time until 1852, when he came to Shelbyville and engaged in the carpenter trade. in 1854, he accepted a position with the "Big Four" railroad company, and for eleven years thereafter worked in the freight department with headquarters in this city.  At the end of that time he went to Indianapolis, where he continued in the service of the road nine years longer, making in all twenty consecutive years spent as a railroader, during which time he became thoroughly familiar with all the details of the business, and earned the reputation of a skillful and painstaking employe.  Severing his connection with the road, Mr. Phillips returned to Shelbyville, and in 1875, opened a wine and liquor house, which he has since successfully carried on.  In his business ventures he has been quite fortunate, having succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competence, including the old family homestead in Decatur County and valuable property in Shelbyville.  In politics, he was originally a Whig, but on the dissolution of that party, he identified himself with the Republican party, of which he has ever since been an earnest supporter.  He is one of Shelbyville's leading citizens, and enjoys the confidence and respect of a large number of friends in both city and county.  May 26, 1844, he was united in marriage to  Sarah A. Champ, of Kentucky. Mrs. Phillips was born in 1819, and departed this life on the 4th day of January, 1887. 
History of Shelby County, Indiana
, Brant and Fuller, 1887, page 522. 
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming.

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