Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 282 - 283  

CHARLES C. PHILLIPS, a general farmer of Ninnescah Township, living on section 9, is a leading man among the agriculturalists of Sedgwick County. He is a native of Vermont, having been born near West Farley, July 30, 1829. His parents were Joseph M. and Lydia M. (Davis) Phillips, his father having been a brave soldier in the War of 1812. 

     When our subject was about eight years of age he removed with his parents to Lawrence County, Pa., where he was reared to man's estate. His education was received in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and with the lessons in honesty, thrift and industry that he received from his parents became the foundation of his future success. In 1850 Mr. Phillips joined the throng of gold seekers bound for California, crossing the States and Territories, and being from March 1 to September 15 en route. During his two years' stay in the Golden State he operated a mine on his own account, but being only fairly successful returned to Pennsylvania, going back by way of Nicaragua. After settling himself in business he established a home of his own, taking for a life companion a most estimable lady, Miss Elizabeth Lutton, who was born in Lawrence County, Pa., Feb. 20, 1834, their union being celebrated May 16, 1854. Her parents, Jacob and Ruth (Hennon) Lutton, were natives of Pennsylvania, and among the original settlers of Lawrence County. 

     Mr. Phillips made a second trip to the Pacific Coast in 1863, going by the way of the Isthmus of Panama this time. He remained in California prospecting and working claims about two years before returning to his Pennsylvania home. In 1867 our subject came to Kansas with his family, and settled in Riley County, where he remained only a few months, and thence moved to Illinois, where he remained four years, moving from there to Sedgwick County, that he might take advantage of the fine natural resources of Ninnescah Township. In the fall of the year 1874, he pre-empted the land he now owns and occupies. The land was then in its primitive condition, not a furrow had been turned, but by courageous industry, perseverance and wisdom in management, he has developed the wild prairie land into a well-improved farm, from which he obtains rich harvests. He is a man of good financial ability, as his success in procuring a goodly portion of this world's goods amply testifies. Besides his farm in Ninnescah Township he also owns valuable property in the city of Wichita, and mining property in Colorado, having spent the years 1880 and 1881 in that State in the interests of the Wichita Mining Company, and at that time discovered the large mine known as "Prospect," in which he is a prominent stockholder. 

     To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have been born nine children, of whom the following is the record: Relief, Joseph, Audley, William, Bessie, Mary, Charles A., George and Evera. Relief married Anthony F. Chambers, of Ninnescah Township; they have one child, Charles. Joseph is married, and lives in Colorado; he has one daughter, Erma. Audley is dead; William resides in Wichita; Bessie is the wife of William Huff; they have two children, Guy and Elmer. 

     Mr. Phillips is an energetic, wide-awake citizen, keenly alive to the demands of a growing town, and ready to meet and aid any utilitarian scheme for its benefit. His public-spiritedness and unquestioned integrity render him a desirable township official, but though frequently solicited to become a candidate he has always declined, not caring to hold public office, yet he was nominated by the Democrats as the first candidate to represent this district in the State Legislature, being defeated by his opponent, William Ross. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where they are active workers for the good of the denomination and the world at large, he having served in several official capacities in the church.

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