Thirty-eight years have passed since John L. Phillips became a resident of Springfield, and though he came here in the humble capacity of an employee in printing office he has attained to the highest office within the gift of the people of the city and has also won creditable success in business. Prominent and influential, of recent years he has had much to do with the city's progress along many lines and his administration has been practical, businesslike and beneficial.

A native of Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois, Mr. Phillips was born August 1, 1851; a son of William and Margaret [Pulliam] Phillips. His paternal grandfather, John Phillips, became one of the pioneer settlers of St. Clair county. William Phillips was born in Virginia in 1822 and with his parents came to Illinois, after which he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. He married Margaret Pulliam, who was born in St. Clair county, and becoming residents of Springfield the father's death here occurred in 1900, while the mother passed away in 1901, in here seventy-seventh year. They were laid to rest in Oak Ridge cemetery.

John L. Phillips pursued his education in the common schools of Mattoon, Illinois, and upon putting aside his text books entered upon an apprenticeship to the printer's trade in the office of the Mattoon Gazette, while later he worked in the office of the Mattoon Journal. In 1865 he came to Springfield and entered the office of the Illinois State Journal, where he completed his trade and was continuously employed until 1882, during which time he won advancement, bringing with it additional responsibility and also broader knowledge of the business. In 1883, forming a partnership with his brother, David L. Phillips, he established a printing office in Springfield, which has since been enlarged and improved until their plant is now one of the best in the state and the firm are now the state printers for Illinois, in addition to having a large private patronage. The career of John L. Phillips has been successful by reason of natural ability, unremitting diligence and his thorough insight into the business in which as a young tradesman he embarked.

On the 16th of June 1873, Mr. Phillips was united in marriage to Miss Lillie E. Paine, of Springfield, a daughter of Enoch and Emily S. [Schultz] Paine. He social relations connect him with Sangamon County Lodge, No. 6; I.O.O.F., also with Navarre Lodge, No. 143, K.P. and with the Sangamo Club, and he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. He stands today as a recognized factor in Republican circles, a man of influence, whose efforts in behalf of the party have been far reaching and effective. In 1883 he was elected a member of the board of aldermen from the seventh ward and served through the three succeeding years. Again in 1891 he was made his party's nominee for mayor, and in the April election the people endorsed the party nomination by electing him the chief executive of the capital city, in which office he served until the 1st of May 1901. A careful outlook over the field, a recognition of possibilities and of the needs of the city, and a deep interest in the public welfare and substantial improvement of Springfield has led him to give a businesslike and progressive administration, which has received the endorsement of the larger portion of the leading citizens of the capital. [Transcribed by Debbie Quinn]

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B.R. Hieronymus

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B.R. Hieronymus was born in what was then Sangamon county, but is now Logan county, Illinois, on June 27, 1841, his father and grandfather having come to this state from central Kentucky in 1828. The latter was contemporary with Daniel Boone in the early history and struggles of that state. Mr. Hieronymus grew to manhood on a farm, first in McLean county and later in Tazewell county, experiencing all the hardships of pioneer times. He is fond of relating how for many winters he would assist in the arduous task of feeding cattle, milking a large number of cows and then walking three miles to a log schoolhouse for a brief term of three months' schooling each winter. The physical labor involved in getting out with a team of horses to a sled or wagon before sunrise and going a half mile or more across the large farms and digging the shocks of corn out of the snow and ice with a heavy hoe or ax was no small task. Young men now think they have a hard time if they are required to labor more than ten hours a day. The privilege of attending the high school at Atlanta, Illinois, for one winter was eagerly sought and enjoyed by Mr. Hieronymus.

In August, 1862, he with a number of his neighbors, left the harvest fields to respond to the call for three hundred thousand volunteers. He enlisted as a private in Company A, 117th Illinois Infantry, which was formed at McLean, in McLean County, August 7, 1862, and was mustered out as first lieutenant at Camp Butler, Illinois, August 5, 1865. The colors were borne by the 117th Illinois Volunteer Infantry to Meridian and back to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in February, 1864, which was General Sherman's first grand march; in the Red River campaign under Major General A.J. Smith, of the Sixteenth Army Corps, in March, April and May, 1864; in Arkansas and Tennessee in June 1861; in the Tupelo, Mississippi campaign in August 1864; in the Price campaign in Missouri in September, October and November 1864; against Hood in middle Tennessee in December 1864, and January 1865; in the Mobile campaign in March and part of April 1865; thence to Montgomery, Alabama April 24, where the regiment was stationed at the close of the war. The colors were carried in the following battles: Fort De Russey, Louisiana, March 14, 1864; Pleasant Hill, Louisiana April 9, 1864; Tupelo, Mississippi July 14, 1864; Nashville, Tennessee December 15 and 16 1864; Blakely and Mobile, Alabama April 9, 1865, and through thirty-three skirmishes. The regiment marched during the term of service 2,307 miles; traveled 778 miles by rail and 6, 191 miles by water, a total distance of 9,276 miles, and in the above battles two stands of colors, 442 prisoners and eight pieces of artillery were captured.

Mr. Hieronymus served with his regiment the full three years and participated in all this service. He had the honor at one time of obeying a personal command of General Sherman. The occasion was the Meridian, Mississippi, campaign. The army, consisting of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps, was moving rapidly across the state from Vicksburg. One day the general, being near the front, sent back for the first colors to be brought up. Mr. Hieronymus was then colorbearer and his regiment happened that day to be in the lead. When he reached the spot where the commander had halted, which was at a crossroads on an elevation, the general said: “Sergeant, climb that fence and wave your flag.” Scarcely had this been done before a puff of smoke was seen from a clump of trees a mile ahead. The purpose was to discover the exact location of the Confederate Light Artillery, which had been hindering the advance of the army. He said, “That will do,” and quickly ordered a battery to move to the next elevation and open fire and the whole division to move forward in support.

After the war, and until October, 1873, Mr. Hieronymus was a farmer in Tazewell County. At that time he accepted an appointment in the internal revenue office in Springfield under Colonel Jonathan Merriam, who was then collector. In March of 1878, he entered the banking business, serving eight years as cashier of the Farmers' National Bank of Pekin, Illinois. In August of 1886, he with others organized the Illinois National Bank of Springfield, and the first board of directors consisted of Colonel John Williams, Colonel Jonathan Merriam, Major J.A. Connolly, Dr. John Hardtner, Frank Reisch, James M. Brittin, Henry Davis, Jr., W.W. Shrader, Dewitt W. Smith, A. Farr and B.F. Hieronymus, and the officers were D.W. Smith, President; John Williams, Vice-President, and B.R. Hieronymus, cashier. The bank now has a paid-up capital of $300,000, and its directors are A. Farr, Charles G. Brown, B.R. Hieronymus, P.F. Kimble, L. H. Coleman, J.F. Prather, Logan Hay and E.S. Scott. Its officers are A. Farr, President; Charles G. Brown, Vice-President; B.R. Hieronymus, cashier and H.M. Merriam, assistant cashier. Mr. Hieronymus has served continuously in his present position since the organization of the bank, and whatever success it has attained is due in a large measure to his ability, discretion and tact. He is known throughout Sangamon County and central Illinois as possessing that degree of conservatism which commands confidence and at the same time that progressive spirit that wins business. One of his mottoes is “to treat customers right and be patient.” He believes that no one will succeed in the best sense who does not stand firmly and at all times for honest dealing and strict integrity.

While a young man he caught the spirit of the disciples of Christ and united with the Christian church. He entered at once into all the activities of the church with energy and vigor. He soon became a teacher and superintendent in the Sunday school and has been on the official board of the First Christian Church for many years. He loves his church with a deep devotion and his life has ever been in consistent harmony with his professions. [Transcribed by Debbie Quinn]

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