Henry Phillips

As printed in 1901

ENRY PHILLIPS, who ranks prominently among the foremost business men of Ottumwa, Iowa, is manager of the Ottumwa Box Car Loader Company, and manager, secretary and tras-- urer of the Phillips Fuel Company, of which his father is president. He was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1858, and is a son of Ira and Emily (Henry) Phillips.

The Phillips family descends from Caleb Phillips and many of its members are now located about Boston. The first of the family to come to this country were nine brothers, who emigrated from England sometime between 1624 and 1630. Wendell Phillips was a descendant from this family. The first mayor of Boston, John Phillips, came from the same ancestry. Ira Phillips, father of Henry, was born in iN'Iadison county, Ohio, May 28, 1830, and is a son of Asa and Elizabeth (Nichols) Phillips, his father being a native of New York and his mother, of Connecticut. He was one of seven sons and six daughters, and lived in Ohio until he reached the age of thirteen years, and then came to Van Buren county, Iowa, where his family located and farmer successfully. In 1854, he was united in marriage with Emily Henry, who was born in Vermont, and henceforth worked for himself. He farmer in Van Buren county until he came to Ottumwa in 1875, and was then engaged in mining, and also, for some years, in the retail and wholesale fruit business. He bought four acres in West Ottumwa, which he still owns. He opened and operated the first coal mines on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, northwest of Ottumwa. He and his.wife became parents of two children; Henry; and Orra, who died in Van Buren county after arriving at young womanhood.

Henry Phillips was reared in Van Buren county, Iowa, and attended the common schools, after which he took a course in the Ottumwa Business College. He accompanied his father's family to Ottumwa in 1875, and first engaged in the wholesale candy business with Boulton Brothers. He sold his interest in this business, and since 1881 has been engaged in the coal business. His father established the Phillips Fuel Company and opened mines in the town of Phillips, which was platted later. He continued to operate these until 1891, when he opened mines at Foster. Since the organization of this company, Henry Phillips has been secretary, treasurer and manager. His father has not been in active business since the early "nineties," but lives near his son, Henry, living built a fine home on W'est Fourth street. The Ottumwa Box Car Loader Company was established in October, 1899, by Flenry Phillips and W. E. Hunt, the inventors and promoters. The business was started, and the manufacture was begun at the Union Iron AVorks building, in Ottumwa, but the city donated $2,500 to locate the plant, which was built in 1900, and occupied in August of that year. The building is 75 by 160 feet in dimensions, and is constructed of brick. It is a very complete machine shop, arranged especially for manufacturing these leaders. The brasscasting is done at the plant now, and arrangements are in progress for installing an iron foundry in connection with it. About six years were spent in perfecting the invention and many discouraging features were met and overcome before the machine was an assured success, but one by one these were worked out and as the merits of the machine became better known the business constantly increased and is very satisfactory. Superintendent Hunt, whose entire life has been spent in machine shops, has occupied numerous responsible positions, such as manager of the Ottumwa Iron AVorks and of the Hardsocg Manufacturing Company. A force of 40 men is employed in the factory, and an office force of ample size, together with two traveling representatives. Mr. Phillips and Mr. Hunt also frequently make special trips in the interest of the company. The machines, complete, are sold at $2,000, and the trade is developing very rapidly in the East, and in Canada. The great feature of this machine is that it will load coal without breaking and washing it, as occurs when it is loaded in box cars by any other process, and at a minimum expense for labor.

Mr. Phillips was united in marriage with Alice Hinsey, a daughter of Dr. J. C. Hinsey, deceased, who for many years was a prominent physician of Ottumwa. Mrs. Phillips was born in Ottumwa and is now forty-two years of age. This union resulted in the birth of three children: Philip P.; Orra A.; and Howard A. In politics, Mr. Phillips has always been a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Royal Arcanum, and his wife is a member of the Ladies" Clul). She is a member of the Congregational church. He built a magnificent new residence at the corner of Fourth and Phillips streets, — one of the finest locations in the city. His home is called Greenwood, a name most appropriate, as his grounds resemble a park. There are beautiful shade trees, and the lawn is excellently kept. Every modern convenience characterizes the place, even to a private gas plant and water works. This is unsurpassed by any of the beautiful residences of which Ottumwa boasts, and is an ornament to the city. A portrait of Mr. Phillips accompanies this sketch.

As printed in History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.