John William Phillips is the eldest son of
Rev. John Wesley Phillips, the pastor of Grace Episcopal church, Washington, D.
C., and Mrs. Martha Ann Phillips, formerly McGehee, nee Bridges. He is
descended from a Welsh family on the father's side, whose great-grandfather,
with two brothers, came to America
about the close of the last century, and settled in Georgia
and Tennessee;
and on the maternal side, from the Randolphs of Roanoke, Virginia. He was born
on the 6th day of April, 1859, in the town of Seguin,
in Guadalupe county, Texas;
at which time and place his father was principal of a large female seminary.
Young Phillips spent his early youth in Austin, attending private schools, until September, 1874,
when he entered the Texas Military Institute (at Austin). He remained in that institution two
years, during which time he was awarded a certificate of merit, and received
three promotions in the cadet corps. At the time of his withdrawal he was First
Lieutenant of Company B. His mother and brother being in delicate health, and
the physicians recommending a colder climate, in July, 1876, his father removed
to Lockport, Illinois;
and John went traveling on a tour of observation; he visited St.
Louis and Chicago
amongst other cities, studying the system of water-works and other
improvements. In the winter of 1876, he engaged to finish the term, as teacher,
in one of the district schools in Will county, Illinois; at that time he was seventeen
years years of age. He accepted, at the close of the school-term, a position as
collector in the principal office ot the Illinois & Michigan Canal Company.
In this office he also served as Private Secretary to the Superintendent, and
also as Paymaster at the dock-yards. In September, 1877, he was elected
Principal of the South Lockport public school;
this position he filled with success, remaining at the same time, Private
Secretary to Superintendent Thomas.
Removing shortly to Springfield, Illinois,
where his father had accepted the pastorate of the Episcopal church, he secured
an appointment as State Agent of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad
Company. His business was to sell the lands of the company, and to stimulate
immigration into the State of Kansas
for the purpose of settling up those lands. This necessitated extensive
traveling; he visited most of the Lake States, also Canada,
New York, Missouri
and Kansas.
By close economy he saved up some money, and
decided to study law. To that end he went to Washington
City, and in September, 1880, he
entered the junior class of the Law Department of the National University.
Two years later, while Vice-President of the senior class of thirty-one
members, he graduated with the second honor, receiving his diploma and degree
as Bachelor of Laws. This diploma bears the signature of the then President of
the United States,
Chester A. Arthur, as ex-officio Chancellor of the University. During his
student days he accepted appointment in the census bureau, and assisted in compiling
the tenth census. During this service he was repeatedly advanced, serving at
one time as assistant chief of the division of accounts, and was at another
time detailed as special agent of the Department of the Interior. At the close
of the labors on the census, he entered the law office of Hilyer & Ralston,
as clerk; at the earliest opportunity he entered a competitive examination
under the civil service laws, and passing most satisfactorily, received an
appointment in the War Department under Robert T. Lincoln. The following
September he matriculated as a member the post-graduate class in the Law
Department of Columbia University, Washington City, and in June following, he
received another diploma, conferring upon him the degree of Master of Laws. Having
then completed the required term of three years study of law, he underwent a
rigid examination by the board, and upon motion of Hon. H. O. Claughton, was
admitted as a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. It is due Mr. Phillips
to state that during his entire course of study for the law, he was compelled
to work in the various pursuits mentioned above to secure a support, and for
study, to steal the time which should have been devoted to sleep, literally
"burning the midnight oil." During his long sojourn at the capital,
Mr. Phillips was a member of three prominent debating societies, at which were
discussed all the leading political questions, and a thorough insight into
political tenets and issues, made a convert of him to the Democratic party. It
should be stated that during the winter of 1883-4 Mr. Phillips attended a
special course of lectures in the Medical Department of the Columbia University,
without however, any intention to adopt medicine as a profession, but merely as
collateral to his chosen avocation. Having mingled in and enjoyed the
delightful society of Washington with its brilliant array of talented men, Mr.
Phillips grew ambitious to be something more than a government clerk, so he
resigned his position as clerk of class "one" in the War Department,
and returning to Texas, located at the capital, Austin, to engage in the
practice of law. Soon after his return he was elected Alderman from the 8th
ward of the city, which position he filled two years. Again consenting to
serve, he was re-elected in December, 1889, defeating Colonel DeGress, the
present Postmaster, and ex-Mayor of Austin,
by a very large majority. He is therefore the present representative of the 8th
ward in the city council.
Mr. Phillips has held many positions of honor
and trust, which fact testifies to his popularity, and the esteem in which he
is universally held; he was lecturer on commercial law in the Texas Business
College, President of a prominent socio-literary club, Vice-President of the
State organization of ex-cadets of the Texas Military Institute, Assistant
Superientendent of St. David's Episcopal Sunday-school; is an active member of
the several orders in Austin, the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Ancient
Order of United Workmen, etc., is aide-de-camp on the staff of General A. S.
Roberts; was one of the charter members of the Austin Board of Trade, and is a stockholder in
that body, and also a charter member of the Austin Club.
He was married on the 23rd of May, 1888, to Miss
Lizzie, daughter of Dr. M. A. Taylor, of Austin;
they have an infant daughter, whom they have named Kate Louise.
Mr. Phillips has been successful in business,
and is regarded as one of the rising men of the day.
