Biographical Sketch of

Rev. William Phillips

Transcribed by Barbara Voss



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 504 - 505 


Reverend William Phillips, of Westfield, is one of the early settlers of Marquette County, his residence in this 
community covering a period of more than a third of a century. He is a native of the Empire State, having been 
born in Cayuga County, N. Y., May 10, 1827. His parents, Augustus and Asenath (Baker) Phillips, were natives of 
Rhode Island. The family is of Scotch origin and our subject belongs to the seventh generation from the original 
progenitor in America, Who founded the family in the Colony of Massachusetts. The Baker family was founded by a 
gentleman of that name who emigrated from his home England and settled in America. Our subject is also seven 
generations remote from him.

We now return to the history of his immediate family. He was one of eight children, six sons and two daughters, 
who were born to Augustus and Asenath Phillips. All grew to man and womanhood, but five have now passed away. 
Those living are Augustus, who resides in Wrightstown, Wis.; William; and Stephen C., who makes his home in 
Rhode Island. The three brothers are all ministers of the Free Will Baptist Church and still another brother, 
Mowry, who died July 4, 1881, followed the same calling. Daniel, the third son, went to Texas before the war 
between the United States and Mexico, and as he has never yet been heard from it is supposed that he is dead. 
John C., the eldest of the family, was born in Rhode Island in 1817, but the other children were all natives 
of the Empire State. He died at his home in New York, March 24, 1874. Nancy, who was born January 30, 1830, 
died on the 19th June 1849 and Mary, who was born July 30, 1831, died October 30, 1855. The mother of this 
family died in Onondaga County, N. Y., on the 21st of May 1836, after which her husband remarried and finally 
removed to Michigan, where his death occurred July 27, 1865, at the age of seventy years, having been born in 
1795.

From the tender age of eleven years the subject of this sketch has made his own way in the world. In 1844, he 
came to the Territory of Wisconsin, landing in Milwaukee. He made his home in what is now Waukesha County, for 
some time, engaged in jobbing in the timber business. Going to Oshkosh, he there followed the same pursuit for 
three years, after which he spent considerable time in traveling, especially in the South. In 1853, we again 
find him in Wisconsin, making his home in Beloit, where he also engaged in jobbing. In that city he became 
acquainted with and married Miss Isabella Watson, the wedding taking place March 15, 1855. Immediately thereafter 
he removed to Marquette County and engaged in jobbing for a number of years until 1864, when he embarked in the 
mercantile business in Westfield, devoting his energies to that pursuit until April 1872, when he suffered great 
loss by the destruction of his building and goods by fire. Since that time he has been engaged in the insurance 
business in addition to his ministerial duties. He was ordained as a minister of the gospel April 6, 1873, and 
labored zealously for the cause until 1883, when his health would no longer permit him to fill regular appoint-
ments.

By the union of William Phillips and Isabella Watson, three children have been born: Frank W., born August 12, 
1856, is now and editor of the Detroit (Mich) News. Merritt W., born August 13, 1858, is an architect of New 
York City; he was graduated in Ripon College and then went to New York, where he learned his present business. 
The youngest son, George W., who was born November 9, 1860, is a resident of Tyndall, S.D. 

Mr. Phillips is one of the well known and esteemed citizens of Marquette County. Long a faithful minister of the 
gospel, he has both by precept and example ever labored to promote the moral and religious growth of the community 
in which he lives and though he is not now engaged in pastoral work he is still a zealous laborer in the Master�s 
vineyard. He has ever been a strong foe of intemperance and in all his life has never tasted Liquor except as a 
medicine, but with all his power has fought strong drink as one of the greatest enemies of mankind. Socially, he 
is a prominent Mason, having passed to the thirty second degree in that order. He was one of the organizers and 
the first W.M. of Westfield Lodge. No. 227, A. F. & A. M.

Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have a pleasant home in Westfield and a farm of 200 acres near that village and are passing 
the afternoon of their lives in that contentment which springs from a consciousness of having endeavored to do 
their duty faithfully and well in every particular.


 




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