JOHN S. PHILLIPS, a gentleman of good education and more than ordinary ability, is one of the most valued factors of the farming community in Waddams Township and the proprietor of a comfortable home on section 30. His birthplace was Hamburg, Berks, Co., Pa., and the date thereof Nov. 5, 1829. His father, John W., and his grandfather, Jacob Phillips, were natives of the same State, the former also born in Berks County. They were of German ancestry, and Jacob Phillips, a blacksmith by trade, followed this occupation until within a few years of his death, when he purchased a farm eight miles west of Hamburg, and there spent the remainder of his days in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. His wife was also a native of Pennsylvania. They reared a family of sons and daughters who were carefully trained to habits of industry, and John W., who became the father of our subject, learned the blacksmith trade of his father and followed it a number of years in his native State.

The father of our subject emigrated from Pennsylvania to Illinois in about 1847, locating on a farm in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County. He there carried on agriculture and black-smithing until 1851, then exchanged the property for a smaller farm in the same county, which he occupied seven years. Afterward, selling out, he came to Illinois and purchased a farm in Waddams Township, this county, upon which he remained until his death, in 1876. The mother of our subject, before her marriage, was Miss Sibilla Schad, of Berks County, Pa. John S., of our sketch, was the eldest son born of this union, and inherited in a marked degree the natural energy of his sire. He commenced at an early age to assist his father in the shop, and became quite an expert in the use of the sledge. In the meantime he also attended school, and wisely took up the study of German, of which he became master and in which he is still proficient. Afterward he attended an English school, and being naturally bright and fond of his books, was provided with a better education than usual among the lads of that section. After reaching his majority he started out in life for himself, coming to this State in 1851. In the fall of the year following he learned the carpenter trade, and afterward returned to Pennsylvania, where for several months he visited among the friends of his boyhood while he occupied himself at his trade as opportunity offered. In 1854 he returned to Waddams Township, this county, and leased one acre of land, upon which he put up a dwelling and prepared to establish a permanent home. In 1857 he was enabled to purchase the land upon which his house stood, and continued at carpentering, saving what he could of his earnings until he was enabled to purchase ninety-four acres of land. This was located in Waddams Township, and he subsequently traded it for the farm he now owns and occupies. This also includes ninety-four acres, which is under a good state of cultivation, with a substantial stone house which he built himself and all necessary out-buildings in the rear.

The lady who was the close companion and helpmeet of our subject for a period of nearly thirty years was formerly Miss Sarah Price, and she became his wife Dec. 29, 1854. Mrs. Phillips was born in Snyder County, Pa., in 1828, and was the daughter of Daniel and Hannah Price, natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives. Mrs. Phillips departed this life at her home in Waddams Township, Feb. 16, 1881, aged fifty-two years, six months and twelve days. Of her union with our subject there were born five children: John operates a farm in Waddams Township; Hannah S. is the wife of Nathaniel Klock, who is also farming in Waddams Township; Daniel is a resident of Winslow Township and Samuel of Waddams; James M., the first born, died in infancy. Mr. Phillips was reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to which he has faithfully adhered since a boy. His second marriage took place Aug. 15, 1885. His present wife was formerly Miss Lovina Price, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Jacob Price.

The home and all its surroundings indicate the refined and cultivated tastes of the proprietor, who keeps himself well posted on all the topics of the day, and while each year adds something to the embellishment of his homestead, by a thorough course of reading there is also something added to his store of knowledge.

The Phillips homestead, which is reproduced on another page by the careful pencil of the lithographic artist, bears fair comparison with the adjacent country residences of an industrious and intelligent class of people.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 310