Phillips

Phillips' Early History

Phillips began as a small station of the Wisconsin Central Railroad, established on the banks of Elk Lake. The settlement was platted on September 23, 1876 and named in honor of the General Manager of the railroad. It quickly became the headquarters for supplying the surrounding logging camps with supplies.

The first settlers in Phillips were:

Surname	First Name	Occupation
Alexander	A.
Barry	M.
Bartoe	George W.
Brown	Walter
Burns	Tim
Callahan	Thomas
Campbell	(Mrs.)
Dardis	Chris
Farrell	J. H.	Established the first general store
Farrell	W.
Gumaer	W. D.
Halnerson	Edward
Hand	Willis
Henan	(Mrs.)
Jackson	Allen
Lingren	J. H.
McConnell	(Mr. & Mrs.)
McKinley	James
Murray	E. W.
Myers	George
Nicholson	M.
O'Brian	David
OBrian	John
Quail	James
Roser	Charles H.	Established the first hotel with Mr. Allen Jackson, named "The Lake View House"
Sackett	F. W.
Sheehan	John
Silvernail	Charles
Smith	(Mr.)
Thompson	(Mr.)
Turner	W. F.	Established the "Turner House" hotel.
Waddel	William	Established the second hotel.
Wyatt	J.D., Dr.
		List of names found in the Historical and Biographical Album of the Chippewa Valley of Wisconsin; A, Warner, Publisher; 1891-2; pg 366

The first Post Office was established in September, 1876 and the postmaster was Edward H. Alverson.

The first religious services were ministered by Reverend Henry Galloway from the Methodist Episcopal Church of Medford in 1876.

On May 20, 1877 a disastrous fire consumed all but seven buildings in the new settlement, but the industrious residents quickly rebuilt.

The first school in the County was established in Phillips on June 11, 1877 with Miss Hannah Widdell the first teacher and C. H. Roser the first president of the school district. A second schoolhouse was established in 1884 with W. F. Owen it's principle.

The settlement's first newspaper was the "Times" and began publication in January 1877 by W. F. Sackett. It was a weekly newspaper with democratic principles. The "Badger" was first published on July 5, 1881 by Charles H. Darlington. This paper was also a weekly publication but held a 'republican' point of view. The "Bee" began in 1884 by George Osterman and is still published today. It originally held a republican view point and became the official paper for the County.

In March of 1879 Phillips became the County Seat and in 1882 the only manufacturing industry incorporated as the the Phillips Lumber Company. It employed about 400 men.

An opera house was established in 1885 by the gentlemen Sackett, Sullivan and Bartoe.

The settlement continued to grow and on April 10, 1891 it was incorporated as the City of Phillips. The first Mayor was B. W. Davis; W. H. Wilson was the City Clerk; C. C. Kelleher was the City's Treasurer; T. J. Meredith was the City Assessor and F. W. Sackett was the Police Justice.

By 1891 the City of Phillips was progressing and growing with the Nation and the residents and business in the city had electric lights.

PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL GIRL BASKETBALL PLAYERS
PHILLIPS, WI
Harriet Vanderwall on right
1913-1914

PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL GIRL BASKETBALL PLAYERS
PHILLIPS, WI
1913-1914

PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM
PHILLIPS, WI
Edward Vanderwall is holding the basketball
1915-1916

Photo contributed by: Karen Percy Jaax

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY DRUM & BUGLE BAND PHILLIPS, WI
1937 STATE CHAMPIONS
People unidentified.

VANDERWALL CAFE
PHILLIPS, WI
Edward Vanderwall with his daughters, Josie & Harriet
Date Unknown
Photo contributed by: Karen Percy Jaax

Edward Vanderwall & family in front of their home on Avon Street